Begonia tuberous planting on the balcony. Begonias for balconies and flower beds: varieties, care, reproduction. Begonia tuberous Illumination Peaches "n Cream

We are used to seeing begonia on the windowsills of apartments and houses. But this plant grows well in open ground. Compositions from blooming begonias you can decorate verandas, stairs and platforms suburban area. They do well in flowerpots and outdoor flowerpots.

About balconies apartment buildings even nothing to say, everyone, even a beginner, can admire the variety of its species. Provided that he knows what begonias need for gorgeous flowering.

photo of begonias

Begonia A low flower that belongs to herbaceous plants. The rhizome is modified, it is a tuber. The stem is very thin translucent, at the ends of which full double buds ripen.

There can be a lot of shades of begonia: from white to bright burgundy. Sometimes there are orange, purple and even blue specimens.

Begonia is divided into female and male individuals. When pollinated successfully, the flowers produce many seeds that can be harvested and grown into new plants. This flower has a pronounced seasonality.

For your information

At the end of autumn, she completely throws off her leaves and is at rest until spring.

How to grow tuberous begonias

In order to get abundant flowering, you need to know the features and rules of care that have been developed over the years of cultivation. Begonia is a whimsical culture, we can say about it that it is a capricious beauty.

Not every amateur florist can boast that his efforts to grow begonias produce many flowers on every plant. But everyone can do it.

As for light, the smaller the flower, the more daylight. natural light he demands. Plants with large tubers can thrive in partial shade, without bright sun. But ampelous varieties in this case may not bloom at all.

Ampel plants Crops grown in hanging planters. The name received from the word Ampel - a hanging vase for flowering plants.

What does begonia love?

• Ampelous begonias are very fragile, they need to be protected from the wind. If you know that the place where they are placed is prone to drafts, be sure to strengthen the bush with a support.
• Temperature regime for different varieties requires a few different ones. But you need to keep in mind that begonias are thermophilic.
• The most persistent are large-flowered hybrids, they are able to form buds even at a temperature of 10 degrees.

For the winter, begonias need to be well insulated, and it is better to dig out of the ground altogether. At low temperatures, tubers are more likely to die.

• If a cold wind blows, the leaves turn black.
• But in the same way, begonias do not like excessive dryness and heat. When the soil overheats, the leaves will turn yellow and the buds will drop. The same symptoms of trouble occur with insufficient air humidity.

Particular attention should be paid to the quality of the soil. It should be rich in vitamins and loose. When planting, it must be fertilized with compost or rotted manure. The mixture looks like this:

• 3 pieces of hardwood
• 1 part sand and peat.

Begonia tubers are planted in the ground in early June, when the ground is already warm enough.

A houseplant is planted earlier, for example, in May or April, when daylight hours are long.

Attention!

Seedlings purchased in the store must first stand indoors for several days, get used to the temperature and humidity. After that, it can be planted in a permanent pot, and when the bush grows up and gets stronger, transfer it to open ground.

When transplanting a plant, you need to be extremely careful, because the stem is very delicate and fragile. It can be easily damaged or broken, which often happens, to the great chagrin of novice growers.

Tuberous begonia grows well at home if it is provided with proper care, which includes careful transplantation, selection of land and placement of the plant where it will not be threatened by wind, dryness or heat. Pots in good weather can be put on outdoor balcony or keep on the loggia all summer.

Warning

It is impossible to over-shade and flood the plant. The roots must dry well before the next watering, otherwise there is a risk of rot.

Valuable tips for growing begonias and how they behave when harvested winter storage. What she loves, and what careless actions can lead to the death of the plant.

If you want to have a lot of blooming begonias next year to decorate the site, watch the video.

conclusions

• You need to trim the begonia near the ground.
• Water very sparingly and as shown: along the edges of the container in which the begonia overwinters.
• Cut plants should be covered loosely, but they must be covered.

How to grow begonia at home so that it decorates the site, so that there are a lot of flowers on it and they bloom for a long time and profusely, we just learned.

In addition to begonias, others also feel great at home. houseplants. Including those that bloom in middle lane Russia in winter time, decorating the house and delighting households and guests.

Ampelous begonia - planting and care
How beautiful the porches of houses, decorated with flower pots with plants, look! Among the plants that will delight you with their flowering from early summer until autumn frosts, ampelous begonia is very popular. Many novice flower growers do not risk buying begonia seeds and growing begonias on their own, preferring to buy ready-made plants in pots. Thanks for the advice experienced flower growers collected in this article, you will learn how you can start growing ampel begonia yourself. How to plant ampelous begonia?
To begin with, we buy seeds, which are usually sold in granules to facilitate planting. We prepare suitable capacity: it can be a small box or a peat tablet. It is better to sow begonia seeds in February or in early spring. Then we take an earthen mixture rich in humus and moisten it from a spray bottle. Planting seeds of ampelous begonia should be done on the surface of the soil, without falling asleep with earth, but only moistening and covering with glass or plastic wrap. If you grow ampelous begonia from seeds in peat tablet you can put it under a glass.

The container with seeds should be placed on a windowsill or under a lamp so that light falls on the plant. It is not necessary to remove the greenhouse, only occasionally ventilate the plant, accustoming it to fresh air. Begonia begins to germinate no earlier than 14 days later. In order for the seeds not to die, you need to monitor their growth: after a few days, the seeds shed their shell and open the cotyledon leaves. You can not let the plant dry out, you need to water the seeds as the soil dries out, or you can also through the pan.
About a month after planting, after strong leaves have appeared, begonias need to be transplanted into pots. How to care for ampelous begonia?
According to experienced flower growers, growing ampelous begonia is not difficult, but still so that they do not get sick and please you lush flowers, you should follow a few simple rules.
For growing both homemade ampelous begonias and garden varieties, requires fertile soil that has a slightly acidic reaction. In summer, the flower requires abundant watering, while in winter it must be watered as the soil dries.

For abundant flowering and growth, ampelous begonias need to be fed. In early spring, fertilizers can be applied to the soil with high content nitrogen, and during the flowering period, begonias should be fed with mineral fertilizers for flowering plants. In summer, you can feed a flower organic fertilizers, but not more than 2-3 times per season, given the fact that only moist soil needs to be fertilized.
Ampel begonia tolerates temperature changes well, but optimal conditions for cultivation, a temperature of +18 - +20 ° C is considered. Begonia, which is grown at home, loves fresh air and ventilation.
Begonias prefer scattered sunlight or penumbra. If the flower is grown in low light, then the shoots are drawn out and the flowering of the flower may stop. For begonia perfect place for growing will glazed balcony or a veranda: there is enough light, there are no gusts of wind and you can easily provide ventilation.
When caring for ampelous begonia, do not forget to remove withered flowers and dried leaves. In the spring, you can arrange a warm shower for the flower, but after that you can not put the begonia in the sun.
Also, it is necessary to ensure that the plant does not get sick or attacked by pests. The most common diseases are caused by gray mold or powdery mildew. Reproduction of ampelous begonia
The best way to propagate begonias is cuttings, which can be carried out throughout the year, but it is better in the spring. From the overwintered plant, cuttings about 10 cm long should be cut and placed in water. After 10 days, when the roots sprout from the cuttings, the plant is transplanted into a lung fertile soil and cover with a bag. Up to 5 cuttings can be planted in one pot with a diameter of 10 cm so that the begonia is lush and beautiful. Many beginner flower growers are interested in the question of whether it is necessary to pinch the ampelous begonia. If you want the begonia to bloom especially luxuriantly, then you can pinch the tops of the shoots. But then the begonia will begin to bloom 2-3 weeks later.
As you can see, planting and caring for ampelous begonia is a rather simple matter, but the result will exceed all your expectations.

Attention, only TODAY!

As home, indoor flowers, royal rex begonias and other decorative ...

Begonia elatior is also known as winter begonia. Belongs to the Begonia family,…

Most decorative leaf rhizome begonias grow best in shallow, shallow but wide…

But begonia flowers are not eternal, the time comes, and the flowers crumble. If in the spring you want to produce ...

Video: Everblooming Begonia leaf cuttings After 2 weeks An important point Begonia care ...

Begonia is a fairly elegant plant that blooms all year round. It not only decorates the room, but also ...

Video: Begonias. Care and reproductionDescription and rules for the care of some species indoor begonias…

The most popular of the beautifully flowering begonias can be called tuberous. To leafy begonias…

Orange, yellow, red, pink - a rich palette of colors of begonia flowers allows you to get the most exciting compositions and enchant any of us with their beauty. They create a cozy and joyful atmosphere in the house, in the garden, on the terrace or balcony. To date, gardeners have managed to breed about 900 species of begonias, each of which is distinguished by its special color and inimitable attractiveness. Some species and varieties grow well in conditions open ground, others are grown in rooms, and there are generalists that are suitable for both home and garden.

Begonia as a houseplant

For many flower lovers, they are typical inhabitants of gardens. But there are species such as, for example, begonia elatior, which, with its continuous flowering decorate the interior of any home. The main season for "indoor" begonias comes from May to August, but thanks to selection, more and more varieties appear that bloom from February until October.

Room is considered pretty unpretentious plant, all that is needed is regular and abundant watering as the topsoil dries up. When watering, try not to get water on the leaves and flowers, otherwise they will quickly rot. In addition, excess water that flows out of the pots should be removed. And in order for the begonia to bloom long and magnificently, add organic fertilizers to the water for irrigation every two weeks.

Begonia is not demanding and to the location. It grows and develops better in partial shade. Therefore, never place a begonia on a south facing window sill where it will be exposed to the midday sun.

When choosing begonias for your home, pay attention to. For a room in light white colors, a rich red begonia is suitable.

Pastel colors go well with yellow and orange flowers, creating harmony and a soft, soothing atmosphere in the room.

Begonias for the balcony

Begonias are ideal for decorating a balcony, where they grow quickly and bloom luxuriantly. The main condition for them is protection from wind and bad weather, as begonia flowers are tender and sensitive. Heavy rain and intense Sun rays can harm them.

The main rule is: from about 10 o'clock in the morning until 17 o'clock in the evening, begonias should not be exposed to sunlight. In addition, plants need to be fertilized every two weeks, and in summer period apply special fertilizers for flowering plants.

Begonias for the garden

Beautiful begonias are a classic decoration of summer flower beds. Choose a place for them in partial shade, which would be protected from rain. For lush development and intensive flowering, plants are fed once a week with a liquid fertilizer for flowering annuals or a complete mineral fertilizer.

Begonias are sensitive to fluctuations in temperature and humidity. With sharp fluctuations in temperature, their flowers, similar to small roses or camellias, may fall off, but new ones will soon appear in their place.

The plant is afraid of frost, so it is necessary to plant it in the ground only after the onset of stable heat. In autumn, when the cold sets in, to prolong life, it is necessary to cover the begonia. If you grow a flower in pots, then on winter period must be entered into warm room, and if in open ground, then it is necessary to warm the tubers well. This can be done by pouring earth on them.

Diseases and pests of begonias

At proper care and under the right growing conditions, begonias are rarely affected by diseases and damaged by pests. However, there are pests and diseases that can make life difficult for your flower.

Flowers and leaves are especially sensitive. Therefore, when watering, make sure not to overmoisten the soil, otherwise, the appearance of rot, powdery mildew or gray mold cannot be avoided.

Also important for begonias right location. With an excess or lack of sunlight, the plant is attacked by a spider mite.

Lush bloom - very simple

There is one very simple trick to keep begonias in full bloom. To do this, remove faded and long pedicels so that the plant can form new ones.

"Klunker Heidi"

The new begonia variety "Klunker-Heidi" tolerates well both shade and bright sun. Before the onset of the first autumn frosts, it blooms luxuriantly with its yellow-orange flowers against a background of dark green leaves. Looks good on flower beds and balconies.

Bouton de Rose

The bush is compact, 25 cm high. The leaves are green. It blooms with very beautiful pale pink double flowers with a dark border, resembling small roses. Looks good in flower beds and in vases.

"Dark Red"

Peony begonia with bright green leaves pleases abundant flowering from spring until autumn. Throughout the season, tirelessly blooms double, dark red flowers with wide petals. Looks great in group plantings.

"Schweizerland"

Spreading 'Schweizerland' begonias look good in flowerbeds and borders, ideal for growing in pots and containers for decorating terraces. From spring to late autumn, it blooms double, dark red flowers, collected in large inflorescences.

Ami Jean Bard

Begonia of this variety has compact bush 10-12 cm high, which is covered all summer long with double flowers of dark orange color, creating a good contrast with small green leaves. This variety is ideal for growing in containers as well as in flowerbeds and borders.

Translation: Lesya Vasko
specially for the Internet portal
garden center "Your garden"

In our city apartments, it is the balcony that often becomes that oasis where constant summer reigns - plants turn green, flowers bloom.

Let's figure it out how to choose the right flowers for the balcony or loggia.

What care do they need? How to protect them from diseases and pests?

IN southern regions Russia on the balconies, you can maintain a constant assortment of perennials, and in medium and northern regions it is better to prefer annuals. However, a glazed and heated balcony will significantly increase your options for choosing plants.

Flowers on a sunny balcony

If the balcony faces south, sunny side, overwhelming most balcony plants will bloom well and for a long time, with the exception of fuchsia and begonia: excessive sun suppresses them, they wither and sometimes do not bloom at all.

special "greed" for the sun and heat show purslane, kobeya, ipomoea, doroteanthus and dimorfoteka. On cloudy days, large-flowered purslane will not open its flowers, and in cool summers, even on the southern balcony, it blooms poorly.

Daisies, asters, mignonette, dahlias, godetia, gazania, heliotrope, balsam, lobelia, verbena, viola, sweet pea, morning glory, ampelous pelargonium, nasturtium is a great set for a sunny balcony.

In tubs or large pots, African agapanthus and Indian canna feel great.

Place large-flowered tobacco, elegant zinnia and Drummond's phlox in one container, and you will get a lovely mini flower garden.

To the balcony bloom as early as possible, already in early May, daisies, violas and ever-flowering begonias should be planted.

And to flowering continued until the end of October, use asters, kobe, petunia, gazania, lantana, tuberous begonia and stonecrop.

Flowers on a shaded balcony

In partial shade, begonias, lobelia, fuchsia, mignonette, viola will bloom well.

Marigolds, pelargoniums, nasturtium and petunia will put up with a lack of light. It is quite comfortable in the penumbra of calceolaria and ageratum.

If the balcony is heavily shaded, limit yourself to tuberous begonias, daisies, violas, and nasturtium is able to decorate the balcony until frost, if not with abundant flowering, then with beautiful rounded leaves.

On high floors where it is windy and drafts are constant, it is better to use daisies, undersized marigolds, ageratum, gazania, stonecrop and ever-flowering begonia.

For vertical gardening inside balconies and loggias, ampel varieties of lobelia, petunia, winged thunbergia, fuchsia, pelargonium and tuberous begonia are suitable.

Interesting balcony flowers and their care

And in conclusion, a few words about plants, sometimes undeservedly unclaimed in balcony floriculture.

Begonia

Queen of balconies.

The color range is from pure white to pink, yellow, salmon, bright red and crimson. The flowers are simple, semi-double and double on the same plant.

Suitable varieties with a height of 15 to 30 cm. Flowering from late May to October frosts. For the winter, the tubers are cleaned in a cool room and stored until March in sand or peat chips at plus 8-12 ° C.

Differs in large bell-shaped flowers of an exotic form on long stalks, painted first in green, and later in a bluish-violet color. There is a variety with white flowers.

Thanks to tenacious and strong tendrils on paired leaves, this fast-growing letnary rises several meters even along plastered walls, although it is more reliable to strengthen it on a rare wire mesh or support on a balcony box.

Blooms from June to October. She is afraid of the cold, so she is planted after graduation spring frosts. Kobeya quickly landscaping large areas, although from a distance it looks much more modest than calceolaria or salvia.

Propagated by seeds, which are sown in March. Seedlings are planted at a distance of 30-50 cm from each other.

Attracts with luxurious "mosaic" leaves and is easily propagated by cuttings.

Small-leaved balcony forms form a dense shrub 20-40 cm high. The brightness of the leaves of the coleus and its showiness in the near or far plans overshadows the brightly colored balcony flowers. Plants are planted in May at a distance of 20-30 cm. In August, coleuses are cut and left to winter in bright room. Seed propagation is possible in February.

Blooms profusely and tirelessly yellow flowers resembling bright balls. Plant height 30 cm.

It is enough to buy one plant in order to further provide a spectacular contrasting bright yellow tone for red pelargonium, salvia, petunia, blue and purple violas, blue ageratum and blue-violet heliotrope.

It reproduces well in the middle of summer by cuttings in a cool, bright room. They winter, like pelargoniums, in a room or a non-freezing room, and in mid-May they are planted on a balcony.

(Erika carnea), sometimes incorrectly called "heather", reaching 15-30 cm in height, has needle-shaped leaves and is recommended for southern regions and insulated balconies and loggias.

Various varieties bloom from January to March with white, pink and red flowers, abundantly covering the tops of the shoots. For autumn flowering, Erika gracilis is recommended, blooming from September to November.

Early-flowering erica is grown on calcareous soil, and late-flowering - on a slightly acidic substrate, preferably on a mixture of marsh soil with peat.

Erics winter in the middle lane in the basement, in non-freezing loggias and even in open ground under spruce branches and snow; V southern regions- in open ground.

Notable for radiant, shiny, orange-red (to bronze) flowers with a diameter of 7-8 cm with dark spot at the base of the petals and a white eye.

Flowering from June to October. Unpretentious, resistant to winds. Height 20-40 cm. Seeds are sown in a room in March, seedlings are planted on a balcony in May. Foreground decoration.

Mini garden for a balcony

Despite the very limited area, it is desirable to find a place on the balcony for a fragrant mini-garden, for which it is enough to plant two or three mignonette, verbena, tobacco or heliotrope plants with a distinct vanilla aroma.

It is useful to have a corner on the balcony spice plants: watercress, lettuce mustard, catnip, lemon balm, chervil, parsley, dill, savory, chives.

On the balcony in early spring, it is quite easy to get the forcing of perennial onions (batun, chives, slime onions), parsley, celery, parsnips, beets, rhubarb.

Plant compositions for balconies

When placing flowers in balcony boxes, the main thing is not to get carried away with a variety of colors: no more than two colors that harmonize well. Monochromatic red pelargoniums, fuchsias or salvias, pink petunias, white daisies, yellow or lilac violas are beautiful and concise.

Two-tone combinations of red salvias (petunias, zonal pelargoniums) from the side of the apartment and blue, white, purple petunias paired with yellow marigolds, mignonette, blue ampelous lobelia from the side of the street.

Instead of ampelous plants in the outer row, you can place low-growing red-white fuchsias, ever-flowering pink begonias, blue petunias or ageratums, and with inside- respectively red tuberous begonias and yellow calceolaria. These options are suitable for semi-shady and shady balconies.

To create a bright flower spot that attracts attention from the street, red and white pelargoniums, red salvias, yellow marigolds, calceolaria, nasturtiums are good.

Near ageratum, mignonette, kobeya, beans, lobelia, daisies, and stonecrops are expressive.

Some plants are good only in the same type of planting: purslane, gazania, godetia, celosia, eriki, dimorphoteka, doronicum, nemesia, aster, dahlias, coleus, chrysanthemums and lantana.

Microclimate and seasons on the balcony

On insulated, frost-free balconies or loggias, you can conduct a successful early spring distillation of bulbous - crocuses, tulips and daffodils.

autumn row ornamental plants from the garden it will migrate to the balconies and will delight with flowering all autumn (asters and chrysanthemums).

In summer the balcony will also be decorated with indoor plants, which benefit from staying on fresh air: azalea, cyclamen, bromeliad, hydrangea, ficus, clivia, oleander, hippeastrum, agave, aloe, crassula, pomegranate, monstera, aspidistra, aucuba and cacti.

But indoor plants native to the humid tropics and subtropics do not tolerate open ground conditions (saintpaulias, or uzambar violets, peperomia, anthurium, royal begonia, philodendron, sansevieria and dieffenbachia), only a glazed "dacha" and high humidity air.

Soil for balcony plants

Suitable for most pilots humus-rich compost soil with the addition of peat chips (10-20%) and lime material (ground egg shells). Especially sensitive to a neutral or slightly alkaline soil reaction are annuals such as sweet peas, asters, and chrysanthemums.

Melissa, catnip, bluebells prefer slightly alkaline soils (pH up to 7.0-7.5); azaleas, heathers, hydrangeas - acidic soils(pH 4.5-5), they are fertilized with superphosphate or potassium sulfate.

In general, the soil must have moisture permeability, for which they add river sand; be sufficiently moisture-intensive, which is achieved by adding peat chips, and always fresh and free from pathogens, in addition, the soil for balcony flowers must be changed annually.

It is important to remember that earthen mixtures for indoor flowers are not suitable for balcony flowers containing too few nutrients. A three-meter balcony needs about 30 kg of soil mixture.

For flyers, you can use peat chips from briquettes, enriched nutrients: it will provide more easy care, retains moisture for a long time, weighs less and is clean from pathogens. For perennials grown in tubs, pots, humus cloddy soil with turf and clay additives is preferable.

Unlike perennials, which require replacing the old soil with fresh annually, perennials are transplanted into new soil after 2-4 years, with the exception of agapanthus: they prefer to stay in settled old pots for as long as possible, content with adding fresh soil.

Top dressing of balcony plants

Taking into account the limited feeding area and the rapid depletion of the soil substrate balcony flowers need more frequent feeding compared to gardening. Perfectly suited for these purposes are complex mineral fertilizers with trace elements (manganese, boron, molybdenum).

Top dressing is carried out every 7-10 days, alternating with watering, using weak solutions (2-3 g per 1 liter of water). The first top dressing is carried out 4-6 weeks after planting and rooting seedlings. Top dressing continues until the end of August.

Minimal top dressing (once every 2-3 weeks) is given to nasturtiums, gatzanias, purslane, stonecrops, godetsia and dorotheanthus: on highly fertilized soil, they form many leaves to the detriment of flowering, or even do not bloom at all, the purchased soil for them is diluted by 30% river sand.

How to plant balcony flowers

It is important not to thicken the flowers when placed in boxes: optimal distance between seedlings of dahlias, chrysanthemums, salvia, gazania, petunias, pelargoniums, asters, lantana, tuberous begonias, fuchsia and celosia - 20-30 cm; for verbena, heliotrope, balsam, godetia, Drummond's phlox, violas, zinnias, daisies, mignonette, marigolds and ever flowering begonias - 12-15 cm; for fiery red beans and sweet pea- 10 cm.

It is important to remove flowers immediately after flowering, preventing the formation of ovaries if it is not necessary to collect seeds. When the flowering of ageratum, lobelia and nemesia is weakened, it is important to cut off the upper part of the plant, leaving only stems 3-5 cm high: they soon form young shoots and flower buds.

Diseases and pests of balcony plants and how to deal with them

Given the right place and proper care, balcony plants are rarely affected by diseases.

Reddish margins or yellow leaves happens with severe waterlogging (lack of drainage) or overdrying of the soil.

poor flowering may indicate an excess of nitrogen in the soil, and in combination with oppressed growth and yellowing of the leaves - a lack of nutrients.

Plants can be damaged by pests.

Ugly, curved shoot tips and sticky sap-covered leaves, testify to the invasion of aphids, which happens in dry warm summer. Do not rush to the store for pesticides, but do not put off pest control either: they multiply at an unprecedented rate and can quickly eat up your entire flower garden. Spray the affected plants with infusion of garlic, nettle, at worst - soap or washing powder.

Sometimes the leaves are eaten by caterpillars - remove them and destroy them. A mini-garden of spicy herbs, planting marigolds will help scare away pests. Finally, tiny ladybug will complete the job.

In dry, warm summers, sometimes the leaves and stems are covered white powdery coating - real powdery mildew. Spray the plants with a strong solution of potassium permanganate (15 g per bucket of water) or fermented infusion of fresh minced garlic (40 g per bucket).

by the most effective means protection are, contrary to popular belief, not strong poisons that destroy pests and pathogens, but simple and generally accessible preventive measures that stimulate the plant to effectively defend itself.

Do not overmoisten the soil and do not thicken the plantings - your asters, marigolds, lobelia will not get sick with black leg and fusarium. Do not use acidic soils - get rid of rot. Annually change the earth in boxes to fresh - there will be no soil fatigue and pathogens.

begonias are among the most beautiful flowers on balconies and terraces. We admire the variety of their shapes and colors. Some people love begonias for their beautiful and decorative greenery, others love them for their elegant flowers. Begonias are wonderful plants for the balcony. Spend some time and take a closer look at the "queen" of balconies and terraces.
Some information about begonias will be given in our article.
Begonia, bulbous plant and is a hybrid of several wild varieties growing in the territory South America. Numerous varieties of begonias form single flowers or ovaries of several pieces, and in size begonia flowers are large and small, full or only in the form of one petal. Begonia comes in a wide variety of colors - golden, orange, copper, white and shades from pink to red. Begonias usually bloom on the balcony from July to October, but with proper care of its tubers, its flowering can begin from the end of May. Begonias for the balcony have characteristic large heart-shaped leaves, as a rule, they are asymmetrical with serrated edges.

Groups of plants by height

Tall, reaching a height of about 60 cm, with characteristic thick and stiff stems and very large flowers;
- medium height - about 30-40 cm, with large flowers;
- low and miniature - as a rule, reach a height of 25 cm with big amount small flowers;
- hanging varieties of begonias, with a large number of hanging stems with small flowers.

Growing begonias on the balcony and caring for her

Tuberous begonias are ideal plants for growing in balcony boxes, containers and flower pots. The great advantage of this plant is that begonia grows well in shady places or places with partial shade. Begonia is perfect for northern, eastern and western balconies and terraces.
Begonia flowers are very demanding on the soil, they grow best in fertile, slightly acidic and breathable soil. The soil for begonias should be well-drained, but at the same time constantly moist.
The plant requires intensive watering (in hot weather morning and evening) and regular fertilization. Fertilizers for balcony plants such as begonias are always available at garden centers.
Begonias are very sensitive to low temperatures and can freeze very easily, so they should be put on the balcony at the end of May and hidden during return frosts. Begonia tubers are planted in pots in late February or March.
The tubers are placed in the soil with a kidney (looks like a tubercle) up, to a depth of about 1-2 cm. It is better to cover the pot with glass and start watering, making sure that the earth is constantly wet. After 2-3 weeks, the first begonia leaves appear. At the end of May, seedlings are transplanted along with roots in balcony drawer or directly into the ground.
It should be remembered that during the growing season, begonias growing on the balcony can be affected by powdery mildew, thrips, aphids, snails and gray mold.

Wintering begonia tubers

In the autumn, shortly before the first frosts, carefully so as not to damage the bulbs, the begonia plants are dug up, the stem is cut off at a height of about 2-3 centimeters (the tubers can be cut off, even after the leaves are destroyed by frost, the main thing is to avoid damage to the tubers by frost). Begonia tubers should be carefully peeled and allowed to dry. It is best to store begonia in a dry and dark room at a temperature of approximately 5 - 10 ° C, preferably in wooden boxes sprinkled with dry peat or sawdust.

Reproduction of begonia

At the beginning of spring (end of February, March), for the propagation of begonias, we divide the tubers. Begonia tubers are divided so that each part has at least one well-formed bud. Sprinkle the place where the tubers were cut charcoal and leave in the air.
The next step is to plant the prepared begonia tubers in pots.
We hope that this short article will help you grow begonia on the balcony. Begonia is one of the most beautiful plants on the balconies and certainly deserves wider attention.