Fertilizer for flowering begonia. Care and conditions for growing home begonias. Rules for applying fertilizers

Begonia has long gained popularity among gardeners, so many people grow this plant at home. Tuberous or deciduous begonia will undoubtedly decorate any room. In order for your indoor begonia to bloom profusely, it needs feeding. Of course, the correct composition of soil for begonias and appropriate care also have great value, but you can promote flowering by adding the necessary nutrients. In this article we will talk about what to feed begonia and how to properly fertilize this flower.

So, how to fertilize this beauty at home? In order for everything to go smoothly, you need to take into account factors that will contribute to the success of this procedure.

The first factor is compliance with light and temperature conditions. These flowers need sufficient light. They also need warmth and absence sharp changes temperatures All this will contribute to the speedy absorption of fertilizing.

The next thing to definitely consider is the time of day. The best time It will be evening when it is already dark. It is better to refrain from performing the procedure during the day.

Remember that in order for the soil in which begonia grows to quickly absorb necessary elements, before applying them, it is recommended to moisten the soil thoroughly. Optimal timing- a few hours before the procedure.

An important point: the fertilizer itself should under no circumstances come into contact with the plant, otherwise it can lead to troubles such as chemical burns.

The last one is probably the most important rule: Don't overdo it. Some may think that the more fertilizer you add, the greater the effect. The effect will indeed not be long in coming, but it will be completely opposite to what you expected. Excess fertilizer is very harmful to the flower, so to keep the roots and tubers of your pet in order, apply only required quantity nutrients, and nothing more!

Video “How to care for begonia and feed it”

From this video you will learn how to care for begonias and feed the plant.

Photo of begonia in a pot

Begonia everblooming (Begonia semperflorens) – beautiful flowering plant from the family Begoniaceae. IN wildlife found in the highlands and humid tropics of Africa, America, and Asia. The birthplace of evergreen begonia is Brazil. Here, on the ocean coasts and in forests, the flower develops intensively throughout the year. In countries with temperate climates, the plant is grown indoors.

The plant is a perennial plant that requires periodic rejuvenation. The bushes quickly grow up to 50 cm and manage to bloom in the year of planting. True to its name, the plant blooms all year round, forming simple or double flowers, the delicate petals of which amaze the imagination with a variety of colors.

	It grows very quickly. It can double in size in a year.
	Blooms in summer, spring and autumn. Blooms already in the first year after planting
	Easy to grow. There are some minor difficulties
	Needs rejuvenation as it grows.

Ever-flowering begonia is a plant that is not only beautiful, but also useful. Flower cells secrete phytoncides that have a detrimental effect on pathogenic microorganisms in the airspace. Volatile compounds completely neutralize staphylococcus, and total concentration Reduces harmful bacteria by almost 80%. Thanks to these properties, the flower increases performance and strengthens the immune system.

Basic rules of care. Briefly

Favorable circumstances for ever-flowering begonia at home are:

The peculiarities of growing evergreen begonia should be taken into account. The plant loves fresh air, the room should be ventilated more often (but the flower should be protected from drafts). To ensure that the bushes do not stretch out and look compact and fluffy, begonias are pruned. The top is shortened for the first time when the ever-flowering begonia reaches 8 cm. When they grow lateral branches, they also need to be trimmed.

Caring for Begonia evergreen at home

Begonia everblooming flower at home adapted perfectly. Caring for it is simple, although some properties of the plant need to be paid special attention.

The plant blooms in early May and blooms until November frosts. The flowering of Begonia evergreen is a very attractive phenomenon. Against the background of glossy green leaves covered with a light fluff, double and simple flowers stand out as bright spots.

Their color is varied, represented by all shades of white, yellow, red and their combinations. The duration and splendor of flowering are due to good lighting, high humidity and warmth.

To prolong flowering, faded leaves and inflorescences must be removed immediately.

Temperature

In order for evergreen begonia to bloom beautifully and be healthy, care at home requires following temperature regime. This is especially important in winter, when laying flower buds. The thermometer in winter should not fall below + 16° C. In summer begonia everblooming develops well at temperatures from + 23 - 25° C. With a sharp change in temperature, the flower will drop its buds.

Spraying

Begonia everblooming prefers high humidity. But the plant cannot be sprayed: drops of water leave unsightly stains on the leaves. Only the air space around the flower is sprayed. Begonia is placed on a tray with moistened pebbles, and air humidifiers are used.

Lighting

Begonia everblooming prefers diffused bright lighting. It is an indispensable guarantee lush flowering and the beautiful exterior of the plant. It is preferable to place the flower on a window facing the southwest or southeast side. On the south side, shading is necessary on hot sunny days: aggressive sun can cause leaf burn.

Begonia everblooming needs good lighting up to 15 hours a day. In winter and autumn it is necessary to turn on the backlight.

Watering

Watering plays an important role in plant care. Domestic ever-blooming Begonia likes the soil to be moderately moist, and not too dry or flooded. Water the plant along the edge of the pot, avoiding the leaves and flowers. In summer, water once every 7 days. In winter - once every 10 days.

Does not tolerate stagnant moisture. Therefore they provide good drainage. Use lukewarm, settled water. Watering cold water or excess moisture lead to root rot.

Ever-flowering begonia has a poorly developed root system. Its roots are located superficially. Therefore the pot is for begonias you need wide, but not deep. This is especially true for small, recently rooted bushes.. They are first planted in small pots, the diameter of which is no more than 6 cm. In a container larger diameter root system may rot, but the begonia will not bloom. To prevent stagnation of moisture, there should be several drainage holes at the bottom.

Soil for Begonia everblooming

The substrate for the plant is required to be loose, water- and breathable. His important characteristics are fertility, low acidity and lightness. The soil for Evergreen Begonia can be prepared yourself from two parts of leaf soil and peat and part of perlite. Stores sell soil mixture for begonias. The composition of the mixture can be improved with vermiculite, crushed moss and humus.

Feeding and fertilizer

To maintain beautiful flowering and strengthening the vitality of the plant, fertilizing and fertilizing are important. At a time that does not coincide with the dormant period, ever-flowering begonia at home should receive concentrated fertilizer twice every 30 days to flowering plants, diluted by half.

It is necessary to ensure that the nitrogen content in the fertilizer does not exceed the content of potassium and phosphorus, otherwise this will have a bad effect on flowering.

Transfer

The flower is replanted in early spring. Transplantation is carried out when the roots cover the entire earthen ball. Young bushes are replanted more often than mature ones. Refreshing for adults top layer soil. The flower is transferred from the old container and the roots are examined.

Rotten roots are shortened, the remaining ones are dipped in a solution of potassium permanganate for 20 minutes. After this, the roots are dried and the plant is replanted. After transplantation, the ever-flowering begonia should be kept in a shaded place for several days. After a week they begin to water it, and after 3 weeks they begin to feed it.

Dormant period of Begonia everblooming

When in environment conditions arise that differ from the optimal ones for the plant, the dormant period of Begonia everblooming begins. In winter, this time coincides with the reduction daylight hours and a decrease in temperature. In summer, the flower stops development when the thermometer rises above + 27° C.

Begonia ever-blooming stops growing and blooming and directs all its energy to moving nutrients from leaves and stem to roots. Therefore, green and elastic shoots are not pruned.

Reproduction

Begonia evergreen can be propagated in different ways:

1. Cuttings. Cut off in spring and summer stem cuttings 10 cm long, having 3 pairs of leaves. They are planted in the ground, deepening to the first bud. Cover with film and root at + 25° C, regularly ventilating and watering. After a month, the plants are transplanted into small pots.
2. Leaf plate: the leaf is planted in moist soil and placed in a film with lower heating. The seedling is watered and ventilated. After rooting, they are planted in small containers.
3. Seeds. At the end of winter, small begonia seeds are laid out on the ground, sprayed and covered with film, removing it to ventilate and water. After 14 days, sprouts will appear. After the formation of 3 leaves, the seedlings dive.

When propagating begonias with double flowers Only vegetative propagation is used.

Pruning begonias for the winter

Diseases and pests

When the rules of care are violated, diseases appear and pests attack the weakened plant. Most often, begonia problems manifest themselves as follows:

Begonia everblooming can be affected by thrips, scale insects and whiteflies. Insects are treated with insecticides.

Popular varieties of evergreen begonia

Begonia everblooming is one of the favorite plants of breeders. Many varieties adapted to temperate climate conditions have been developed; they are cultivated in home plantings. Several varieties are the most popular.

Begonia "Lotto" - tall compact bush. The leaves are velvety, bright emerald. Large flowers can be painted in different colors.

Begonia "Senator" is a medium-sized bush with bronze leaves. Medium-sized flowers can have different colors.

Begonia "Ambassador" is a compact, medium-sized bush. Green leaves with bright red edges. The flowers are monochrome (white, red or pink) or bicolor.

Begonia "Queen" - low-growing bushes with bright green leaves and double flowers of carmine, pink or snow-white color.

Begonia "Cocktail" is a low-growing, lush-flowering bush. Leaves are brownish-red. The flowers are painted in scarlet, white, pink tones.

Begonias are very beautiful plants, which perfectly decorate any interior at home and in the office. At proper care Begonia blooms in autumn and even winter. To do this, it is necessary to provide certain conditions, including room temperature and feeding.

Optimal conditions for good flowering of begonias.

In order for begonia to bloom actively, it is necessary to maintain the air temperature in the room within +13...+22 degrees. In this case, the humidity must be at least 60%.

If in winter it is difficult to provide humidity due to the hot air coming from the batteries. Then place a container of water near the plant to allow evaporation. Or we regularly spray the air around the plant. But at the same time, make sure that drops of water do not fall on the begonia leaves.

I note that when creating certain conditions, it is necessary to take into account begonia varieties. Their care conditions may differ.
Feeding begonias for gorgeous flowering.

Begonia can be sprayed with a solution based on boric acid. We apply fertilizing before flowering and during flowering. Then the buds will be much brighter and bloom longer.

One of the best flowering stimulants is boric acid. Boron is one of the most important microelements in plant life. Therefore, boron is added to many chemical fertilizers. I suggest feeding the begonia directly with boron.

What does fertilizing with boric acid give:

• Stimulates flowering. The most important thing for indoor flowers is beautiful and luxurious buds. Thanks to this feeding, the begonia will have many more buds, they will bloom brighter and longer, and will not dry out.
• The amount of chlorophyll in the green mass of the plant increases. This undoubtedly only improves the growth of leaves and stems.
• The plant's immunity increases. Especially in winter time this is very important. It is necessary to support the plant so that it does not get sick or wither.

Begonia is perhaps the most common indoor flower.

The advantage of tuberous begonia is its long and abundant flowering. Among the representatives of the genus there are plants with double flowers, similar to peonies, carnations or roses.

But how to properly care for tuberous begonia at home?

Planting begonia tubers

All you need to pay attention to before buying tubers is their appearance. Healthy begonia tubers should not have dents, stains, or signs of mold. They are dense to the touch, not loose. It is better to purchase tubers in March, when the awakened buds are visible. You should not buy tubers with overgrown stems.

Photo of begonia tubers ready for planting

Growing begonia from a tuber at home is not difficult, but the composition of the soil must be taken seriously. Begonia grows best in loose substrate with low acidity. In addition, for better flowering it needs fairly nutritious soil. This should be taken into account when preparing the soil mixture.

If the purchased soil is not satisfactory, then begonia will happily grow in the following substrate:

Leaf soil – part 3;

Peat – 1 part;

Humus – 1 part;

Sand – 1 part.

Fill the pot 2/3 with soil, since the lower part should be completely occupied by drainage. To plant tuberous begonias, choose a pot that is not too cramped. The optimal size is when there is 4 cm from the edge of the tuber to the sides of the pot.

By adhering to the rules for planting tubers, which are presented below, growing begonia is easy.

1. Tubers are cleaned of old roots.

2. Disinfect in a solution of potassium permanganate for about 30 minutes.

3. Make a hole in the soil and place the tuber with the buds facing up.

4. Lightly sprinkle with loose substrate, being careful not to cover the buds.

IN further care for tuberous begonia at home comes down to creating comfortable conditions for germination.

The temperature is maintained at 15-20 C. Since tubers take a very long time to germinate, only after two weeks will the stems grow 5 cm. After this, soil is poured into the pot, covering the tuber completely. In a young plant, 2-3 stems are left, the rest are plucked out.

Transplant young plant This is possible only after the bush is fully formed. In this case, the volume of the pot is increased by 15 cm. During transplantation, the tuber can be completely immersed in the ground.

How to properly care for tuberous begonia

First of all, the flower pot must be positioned correctly. Its flowering and growth depend on this.

Lighting

Begonia loves bright light, but it needs to be shaded from direct sunlight. It is best to place the pot in the room close to the window or on an eastern-oriented windowsill. On southern windows, the flower will get leaf burns.

Begonia does not like growing conditions to change frequently, so the pot with the plant is immediately placed on permanent place. Changes in lighting orientation cause leaves and buds to fall off.

Temperature

Begonia loves warmth, so throughout the growing season the temperature is maintained at 20-23 C.

IN winter period the temperature is reduced by moving the pot to a cooler place.

Humidity

Begonia prefers high air humidity, but does not tolerate spraying. To increase the air humidity around the plants, place bowls of water on the windowsill. It will evaporate, that will be quite enough. You can also place the pot in a tray with water and expanded clay, but make sure that its bottom does not come into contact with water, otherwise the tuber will rot.

In addition, when caring for tuberous begonia at home, do not forget to ventilate the room, otherwise the plant will shed its leaves. Begonia does not tolerate stagnant air, but drafts are also contraindicated for it.

Watering and fertilizing

The flower does not tolerate drought and abundant watering. It is best if the soil dries out sufficiently between waterings.

Watering is carried out with settled water at room temperature, trying not to get on the leaves. Do not water begonia with too cold water.

For abundant flowering Begonia is regularly fed complex fertilizer for blooming indoor plants. During the growing season, fertilizing is carried out 2 times a month.

Caring for tuberous begonia in winter at home

Begonia blooms for a long time, from early spring to late autumn. Appear regularly on shoots bright flowers. With the arrival of autumn, the plant prepares for a period of dormancy and flowering stops. What to do with begonia during this period?

First of all, stop feeding and reduce the watering schedule. The plant gradually sheds its leaves, and its above-ground part withers. After this, you can dig up the tuber for storage.

Before storing, the tubers are washed in a solution of potassium permanganate and dried in a ventilated area. Keep planting material It needs to be kept cool on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator or in the country basement. Before storage, the tubers are placed in a box or bag with holes and sprinkled with sawdust. From time to time, the sawdust is moistened with water so that the begonia tubers do not dry out.

How to propagate begonia at home

Begonia is propagated by seeds, cuttings or division of the tuber.

Seed propagation is a very troublesome task, so it is rarely resorted to. For example, if the variety you like is difficult to get in your area.

Begonia cuttings are the most best option reproduction. In spring, begonia shoots are cut into cuttings and rooted in a moist substrate. To speed up the process, a greenhouse is built over the cuttings. This will help maintain the required humidity, but remember that the greenhouse needs to be ventilated. Rooting can be considered successful if leaves appear on the apical shoots. Once the cuttings are strong, they are transplanted into a permanent growing pot.

It reproduces only by dividing tubers mature plant, whose age is more than 2 years. In the spring, before planting the plant, its tuber is divided into several parts, so that each has developed buds. The cut area must be sprinkled with crushed charcoal so that rot does not form. Next, care for the begonia as usual.

Difficulties in growing tuberous begonia

Often new to indoor floriculture It is not possible to grow begonia without losses. Often the plant does not bloom at all, sheds its leaves or withers. What is the reason?

1. Begonia does not bloom because the conditions of its maintenance are violated. Flowering is greatly influenced by air humidity, watering regime and location of the plant.

2. The flower fades because the pot is located on sunny place, the soil is too wet or water got on the leaves during watering.

3. The plant sheds its leaves due to improper care. If begonia is grown without a dormant period, the flower will look dull and will shed its leaves.

As you can see, growing tuberous begonia is not difficult, but you still need to make an effort.

In today's article we will talk about begonia, more precisely about the features of caring for this flower. Thanks to its unpretentiousness, begonia occupies a leading position among flowers that are easy to grow at home; almost every amateur gardener has at least one representative from the begonia family.

What place in the apartment is suitable for begonias?

Begonia is very light-loving plant, all year round she needs bright, diffused light. And only begonia with decorative leaves tolerates partial shade, while all other species require bright light, but not direct light sun rays. In an apartment, it is best to place flowerpots with this plant on eastern and western window sills. In winter, you should be vigilant with drafts; hypothermia of the flower will lead to its death.

What soil is suitable for growing begonias?

The soil for begonias should be loose, light and rich in organic matter. IN flower shops can be purchased ready mixture or cook optimal soil on one's own.

The soil for begonias should consist of greenhouse soil for indoor plants, high-moor peat, fertilizers, preferably organic, and small squeaks that will perform a drainage function.

What temperature and humidity does the plant need?

The begonia plant is very heat-loving, summer period a comfortable temperature for it is 24-25 degrees; if the thermometer in the apartment shows a higher temperature, then it is necessary to increase watering. Minimum permissible temperature for begonia - 15 degrees Celsius. The level of humidity in the room is not important for begonias, but if you still decide to spray the plant with a spray bottle, then try not to let the water get on the flowers.

How often should begonia be watered?

Regular watering is the key to abundant flowering for begonias; this plant does not tolerate dry soil and excessive moisture very well. On average, it is necessary to water begonia twice a week, and in the summer - every other day.

From the end of November to March, the plant needs rest, so watering once a week will be enough. It is also gradually removed from this state, starting from March to April and until May, bringing watering to normal. Excessive moisture is also dangerous for these flowers, as is drying out of the soil, since it threatens begonias with root rot and becomes susceptible to this. unpleasant disease, How powdery mildew ().

Water for irrigation. Special attention attention should be paid to the quality of the water used to water the plants. It must be soft; for this you need to either settle the water in advance, or boil and cool it.

What fertilizers does this flower need and when should they be applied?

Begonia should be fertilized, especially during active growth and flowering, complex mineral supplements which must be applied once a week. Use fertilizers containing nitrogen only for decorative deciduous varieties, as they stimulate leaf growth but inhibit flowering.

How and when should begonia be replanted?

Begonia should be replanted only if the previous pot for the plant is too small and the roots have completely filled the entire space in the container. In this case, you should take a pot a few centimeters larger, put drainage on the bottom, and then fill the plant suitable soil. When replanting begonia, you need to be very careful with its roots, because it is very easy to damage them, and the recovery process takes a long time.

How to propagate begonia at home?

Rhizomatous begonias are mainly propagated by seeds and cuttings. Dividing the bush and propagating by rhizomes is quite common. Tuberous begonias propagated by dividing the tuber. The simplest and most popular method is cuttings; in April-May, cut shoots are placed in a substrate and wait for them to take root, occasionally watering. To increase the likelihood of rooting, the plant can initially be placed in water for a couple of days, and then planted in the ground.

How to care for a flower in winter?

In winter, begonia is in a state of sleep, so during this period you should reduce watering to a minimum, stop fertilizing the soil, and do not replant the plant. The main task is to let the flower accumulate strength over the winter in order to please you with new flowers in the spring and summer.

The most popular types of begonia:

Begonia royal