How to care for begonias at home after purchase

Flowers

Begonias grow on the windowsill of almost every home. This plant is loved not only for its wide range of flower colors and shapes, but also for the beautiful appearance of its leaves. Caring for indoor begonias at home after purchase is not particularly difficult.

Features of begonia care after purchase

While garden begonias thrive in our climate, potted varieties (root and tuberous) can be a source of problems for their owners. So how should you care for begonias at home after purchasing them from the store so they bloom beautifully and adorn your windowsill?

Note!

Begonias originate from regions with tropical and subtropical climates—those with consistently hot and humid conditions year-round.

Caring for potted begonias after purchase begins with choosing the right location. Generally, begonias prefer warmth, privacy, and partial shade, which is why they thrive on windowsills, especially those facing east and north.

In too sunny a location, plants will be exposed to direct sunlight, so it is best to avoid sunny windowsills on the south or west side.

If large, dry, brown spots appear on leaves facing the window, the plant has been burned. It should be moved to a shadier location as soon as possible.

Begonias require fertile, well-drained soil with moderate moisture and a neutral pH. Slightly acidic soil is acceptable. Everblooming begonias are the most resilient of the species, growing well even in relatively mineral-poor soil.

Caring for a potted begonia after purchase sometimes requires moving it to a new container. First, it's important to choose a suitable container—one that's shallow but wide is ideal.

Optimal temperature and watering for begonias

Most begonias grow well at room temperature. The optimal temperature in spring and summer is 15 to 22°C. In winter, temperatures should not drop below 12°C.

Proper watering is an important part of caring for potted begonias after purchase. During the spring and summer, plants require ample watering, while in winter, they should be kept moderately moist. Begonias don't tolerate dry soil well, and if we forget to water them, they will sooner or later become diseased.

Furthermore, watering thoroughly doesn't mean leaving all the moisture in the pots. After a few dozen minutes, drain the excess water from the container. Boiled water cooled to room temperature is a good choice for watering begonias. This water is a great alternative to tap water, which is often of poor quality.

Avoid getting the begonia leaves wet when watering. However, if water splashes on them, remove the plant from the windowsill, move it away from the window for a few minutes, and let it dry undisturbed. This is especially important in summer, when sunlight is at its most intense.

Important!

Begonias are very sensitive to low humidity. Winter is especially unfavorable for them. It often happens that the plant's leaves dry out at the edges.

The best way to increase humidity in the immediate vicinity of plants is to place the pots on expanded clay and pour water into them. In winter, it's especially important to avoid placing plants in drafts, as increased air movement causes a decrease in humidity.

How often and what kind of fertilizer should be used?

Every two weeks, feed the plants with a mineral or combined fertilizer. This is especially important for potted plants with decorative foliage. The best option for growing begonias is liquid fertilizer diluted with water (according to the package instructions).

Sometimes, slow-release/long-release fertilizers can be used. Of course, it's best to mix the granules into the soil when repotting the plants. If repotting isn't planned in the near future, it's recommended to simply sprinkle a small amount of fertilizer "balls" onto the soil.

It's important to pay attention to the manufacturer's information regarding the duration of the product's effectiveness. Typically, its effectiveness lasts 3-6 months. After this period, repeat the application.

Transplanting begonias into a new pot

When the plant fills its pot tightly, it's time to repot. This is best done in the spring. The new pot shouldn't be significantly larger than the previous one. Begonias require a medium rich in organic matter. General-purpose soil or peat-based substrate will work well.

The optimal soil pH for potted begonias is 4.5-5.5. If the plants are too bulky, you can add soil between April and late June to cover the protruding root collar and roots.

Reproduction

There are various methods for propagating begonias. At home, you can separate cuttings from shoots. These should be immersed in moist soil for about three weeks. Rooted cuttings are then planted in individual pots.

However, professional gardeners prefer propagation by tubers, which produces higher-quality plants that are more similar to the mother plant. To do this, the dug-up tuber is divided with a sharp knife so that each part has at least one sprout.

Advice!

The cut should be treated with activated charcoal or brilliant green to protect against disease. The prepared tubers should be placed in a peat-based substrate.

Protection from diseases

Begonias occasionally suffer from fungal infections, most often caused by excessive humidity—gray mold and powdery mildew. The main symptoms are spots (gray-brown and white, respectively) appearing on the leaves.

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Fungicides can help in the early stages of the disease, but in more severe cases, it's best to remove the infected plants to prevent damage to other flowers. A good preventative measure is promptly removing yellowed leaves and dried begonia flowers.