Begonia - home care and the homeland of the houseplant

Most gardeners have at least one begonia in their collection, as it's one of the most common houseplants, with a wide variety of varieties and responding very well to even minimal care at home. The reason this flower is so accessible and beloved lies in its adaptability to various growing conditions, as well as its wide range of colors and shapes, which can easily confuse it with roses, camellias, daffodils, carnations, and others.

The homeland of begonia, the history of cultivation and signs

In the 17th century, the French plant collector Michel Begon organized an expedition to the Antilles, during which his friend, the monk Plumier, discovered, brought back to Europe, and described the first six begonia specimens. Today, more than 900 species have been discovered in the wild, and several thousand more have been developed by breeders.

A third of all begonia species are native to Africa, their native land. From there, the plant has spread to Sri Lanka, the Himalayas, and India, thriving in the tropics, subtropics, and highlands.

This flower was mentioned as early as the 14th century by the English, who celebrated it as a symbol of purity. By the 18th century, several species had arrived in England, which became the ancestors of modern tuberous varieties. Their hybridization, according to records, began in 1860 and reached its peak just before the First World War. It was then that begonias became very fashionable among wealthy gardeners, and they competed to develop large, double-flowered varieties. This is when the rose-flowered variety emerged, now considered a classic.

The most famous nursery owners were Charles Langdon and James Blackmore, and their business is still carried on by generations of heirs, supplying high-quality begonia seedlings.

The plant also became surrounded by superstitions. Among the South American Indians, begonia was a sacred flower that helped them in difficult times, including after the arrival of Columbus and the Spanish invasion of their lands.

As for the begonia's influence in everyday life, according to popular belief, it brings financial success, family happiness, and unites hearts. Caring for the flower is the key to happiness, as its wilting or illness will affect the outcome.

Begonias should only be given with good intentions, and only accepted as gifts from those who truly care for you. Otherwise, you could bring negative energy into your home, which will impact your family atmosphere and even your health.

A successfully growing tropical plant instills self-confidence, restores strength, reconciles spouses, rekindles old passions, and even helps find a soulmate. The plant's effects are universally positive, with only one bad omen in Russia: a begonia blooming at the wrong time foretells the death of a family member. In other countries, begonias are considered exclusively a blessing.

Characteristics of the variety, species diversity with photos

Several thousand hybrids have created such a wide range of variations that it's quite difficult to provide a standard description of begonias. They are divided into ornamental foliage and flowering, annual and perennial, trailing, bushy and creeping, rhizomatous and tuberous. But because they belong to the same family, the Begoniaceae, their care requirements are roughly the same.

This is a herbaceous shrub whose succulent, fragile stems reach up to 2 meters in length. The leaves are extremely varied in shape and color, and are asymmetrical. Their size ranges from a few centimeters to several dozen. The surface is either hairy or smooth. The flowers are collected in inflorescences, which can be simple up to 2 cm or double up to 20 cm.

Perhaps descriptions of species and photos will help you navigate the selection and choose the perfect indoor plant.

The ornamental foliage group is represented by the following species:

1. Royal – named for its vibrant coloring and chosen as a prototype for many hybrids. As seen in the photo, it is very photogenic and decorative. The rhizome is thick, the leaves are slightly pubescent, have a serrated edge, and a pointed tip, growing to 20 x 30 cm. The color is multicolored, with brown, russet, bronze, crimson, purple, silver, and red. It blooms with inconspicuous pink flowers.

   

   

   

2. Tiger is a compact shrub no taller than 25 cm. It originates from Mexico. Its creeping stems are covered in hairs, as are the undersides of its spotted oval leaves, which are mottled with various shades of green and brown. The flowers are small, muted, and clustered in clusters.

   

3. Coral Begonia – differs from the previous variety in height, reaching 1 m. The shoots are bare and erect. The 20 cm long leaves are covered with silvery spots. The coral flowers are gathered in panicles. Other popular indoor varieties include hogweed-leaved, red-leaved, carolina-leaved, shiny, and Mason's. Ornamental flowering begonias are especially attractive to breeders for the opportunity to see their luxurious blooms.

   

4. Everblooming is a shrub that can reach 60 cm in favorable conditions. They are often planted in groups for density. The leaves are smooth, glabrous, slightly pubescent, in shades of green, sometimes red, and up to 6 cm long. The flowers are small, up to 2.5 cm in diameter, single or double, in white, pink, orange, and red. They bloom briefly, but successively, so the blooming period is quite long—more than six months, and under favorable conditions, they can even bloom in winter.

   

5. Elatior is a very popular variety and is often used as a gift in bouquets. The bush grows to a height of 40 cm. Glossy, vibrant leaves provide a backdrop for large, double, rose-like blooms. A wide variety of colors have been developed, including multicolored ones.

   

6. The trailing lily is another favorite among collectors. It's used to decorate walls, shelves, arches, balconies, and terraces. Its distinctive cascading vines are particularly striking, so it's usually grown in hanging pots. The stems branch and cascade, bearing flowers of varying shapes, sizes, and colors.

   

Of course, this is only a small list of varieties, and their number is growing – begonia is so popular and interesting for gardeners and breeders.

Caring for begonias at home

Despite its tropical origins, the flower is considered undemanding. Therefore, its owner doesn't need to do anything special to see it in all its glory.

Watering and fertilizing

The plant requires ample watering, but the line between overwatering and stagnant water is quite thin, so attention to detail and good drainage are essential. Only the top layer of soil in the pot should dry out slightly. The average watering frequency is twice a week. In hot weather, you'll likely need to water every other day, and in winter, reduce this to once a week.

Water for irrigation should be clean, free of impurities found in tap water. Chlorine and calcium salts are particularly dangerous. Therefore, filter the water or use melted snow, rainwater, or spring water. For plant comfort, the water should be slightly warm.

The type of fertilizer depends on the plant's development stage and its species. All plants require nitrogen-containing fertilizers at the start of the growing season, and ornamental foliage plants throughout the season, to boost foliage growth. Potassium and phosphorus are used during flowering. All fertilizers should be applied with water to prevent a concentrated dose from burning the roots. Fertilizers should be applied once every 10 days.

Lighting

Begonias love the sun, especially their flowering varieties. This stems from their ancestors living near the equator. However, direct sunlight is harmful, so choose an east- or west-facing window or shade the pot with a curtain. A spot in the back of the room is only suitable for decorative foliage varieties.

It is advisable to choose a location once and not change it; the flower loves stability and may react to a change of location by dropping buds or stopping growth.

Temperature

Ideally, the air temperature should be stable—18-22 degrees Celsius. However, in summer, the plant can tolerate higher temperatures. In winter, the minimum temperature is 15 degrees Celsius. It's also important to monitor other conditions, such as watering and humidity. Combinations of hot, dry air, and low temperatures with high humidity are particularly dangerous.

Diseases, pests and treatment methods

When living conditions deviate, the plant weakens and becomes prey to insects, viruses, bacteria, and fungi. These often occur in combination; for example, if a midge damages the roots, a fungus settles on them, killing the plant.

Begonia pests:

1. Spider mites appear when indoor humidity is low. They suck the plant's juices, stunting its growth and development.

   

2. Midges: fruit flies, whiteflies. They develop when water stagnates in pots and trays and when fallen leaves and other organic matter rot.
3. Aphids suck out the sap and leave a sticky syrup on the leaves, all of which together undermines the vitality of the flower.
4. A nematode is a tiny worm that infests and feeds on various parts of a plant, slowing growth, altering its shape, and ultimately leading to death. In the early stages, the infestation is impossible to detect, and in the later stages, any action is futile. The plant is unlikely to be saved, and it becomes a threat to others, so it must be destroyed, and the pot and other items disinfected.

   

Control methods: mechanical removal of insects by washing and using sticky traps, followed by treatment with an insecticide, usually 2-3 times to destroy eggs and larvae.

Begonias also suffer from incurable bacterial or viral diseases, including mosaic, bacterial spot, and bacterial wilt. If these are diagnosed, the plant should be discarded to prevent it from infecting others.

Diseases that can be successfully controlled include powdery mildew, botrytis, gray mold, and black mold. All are caused by stagnant water and moisture, which can cause rotting. The plant can be cured by removing the affected areas and treating it with an antifungal agent. And most importantly, correcting any care errors.

Selection and preparation of soil

Begonias prefer soil with a pH of 5.5-6.5. This can be achieved by combining leaf mold, sand, peat, and turf in a 2:1:1:1 ratio. Alternatively, you can purchase a ready-made soil mixture labeled "for begonias" at a garden center.

Hygiene

Here, we're talking about the cleanliness of leaves—vital organs involved in nutrition and respiration. Dust floating in the air is harmful both in itself, as it covers the leaf surface, and because it contains harmful substances.

You can remove dirt with a dry cloth or cotton pad, sweeping away dust. In some cases, a warm shower is acceptable if the plant isn't blooming at the time. After washing, let it sit in the bathtub to dry. You can also gently wipe the leaves to remove any residue from tap water.

How to propagate and transplant a flower at home?

Begonias are very easy to propagate by any method. An older plant can be simply divided into sections—either the rhizome or the tubers. Beyond this option, there are other methods worth exploring in more detail.

Leaf

This method allows you to obtain several begonia seedlings from each healthy leaf. To do this, the leaf must be divided into segments, each containing a vein.

The veins need to be slightly damaged; roots will soon grow in these cracks. You don't have to cut the leaf completely; just scratch the veins. Place the leaf on damp sand and secure it in place. Water through a tray.

You'll have to wait up to two months for results. When the first leaves begin to appear, the plants can be transplanted into individual pots and cared for as adults.

Seeds

It's advisable to sow only professionally sourced seeds. Those you collect yourself may surprise you with the germination of a completely different begonia variety, as most of those grown today are hybrids, which don't produce identical offspring.

If you have purchased seeds, they should be scattered over the damp surface of the substrate without covering it, and placed under glass in a warm, bright place for germination.

The transparent cover should be removed after the sprouts appear, and the begonia seedlings should be transplanted into separate pots when they have 3-4 leaves.

Cuttings

Overly long stems of mature begonias can be shortened and cut into cuttings for rooting. Each cutting should have 3-4 axils containing a bud or leaf. Place them in water with a rooting agent.

After 4 weeks, white roots will appear there, then the plants are planted in a loose soil mixture and grown until leaves appear.

Instead of keeping the cuttings in water, you can dust them with charcoal and insert them into a tray of soil. Transplant them into pots after they've rooted and new leaves have begun to grow.

Repotting a plant, whether a new one or a home-grown one whose pot has become too small, involves replacing some of the soil, but avoiding thoroughly shaking it off the roots, as this can damage them. The plant should be placed in a new pot with good drainage, with soil added around the edges, gently tamping it down. Water and return it to its usual location.

Frequently asked questions about growing

The easy-to-care-for begonia has adapted perfectly to our apartments and is ready to delight its owners with its vibrant leaves and flowers. It just needs a little help with careful care.