How to feed blooming begonia. How to feed begonia - types of fertilizers, application. What conditions do evergreen begonias need in an apartment and outdoors?

04.04.2020

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− is a herbaceous, shrub or subshrub plant of the Begoniaceae family. The root is tuberous or a creeping thickened tuberous rhizome. The leaves are asymmetrical, oblong, often green-red in color. The flowers of the plant are irregular, unisexual and monoecious. The tepals are unequal and brightly colored. The fruit is a capsule. Propagated by seeds, leaves, cuttings. The areas of origin of begonia are Mexico, Asia, India, Africa and South America.

Fertilizing is the application of phosphorus-potassium and nitrogen fertilizers to the soil of the plant.

Phosphorus-potassium fertilizers used once every two weeks, starting from the moment of flowering.
Such intervention will increase the flowering period and the number of buds, and the plant will look healthier.
Nitrogen fertilizers applicable only to deciduous varieties of begonia, since they can inhibit the development of buds, but improve the growth of leaves. When using such fertilizing, there is an active growth of green mass, but the plant may not bloom. You will learn about what to do if begonia does not bloom in.

Watering rules

In order for the plant to grow and develop well, you need to follow simple watering rules:

Do not use hard water from the tap, but first let it sit for 24 hours and then boil or filter it. You can also use garden peat to soften water - 1 kilogram per 10 liters of water.
At moderate air temperatures, watering should be uniform and preferably at the same time, preferably in the morning.
In summer, watering should be plentiful, but every other day, so as not to flood the plant.
In winter, the plant should be watered as the soil dries out; usually, watering once a week is enough. In cold weather, it is worth watering with warm water.
After watering, when the soil dries out slightly, it is necessary to loosen the top layer of soil to a depth of 1 centimeter. This simple maneuver will help retain soil moisture inside the pot longer.
To water begonias, you can use the method of immersing the pot. To do this, you need to pour soft water into a container in which you can place the pot. Place the pot with the plant in water and wait until the soil absorbs water through the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot. After 20-30 minutes, remove the pot from the water and place it on a tray.

How to fertilize at home?

You can feed begonia with a ready-made product purchased at a specialized store, or you can use a homemade folk remedy.

At home, you can prepare the following fertilizers for begonias:

Yeast

To prepare the solution you need:

You can water begonia with this solution 5 times a year.

Reference. Yeast contains the hormones cytokinins and auxins, which promote active growth and full development of begonia. They accelerate the mineralization of organic substances and produce phosphorus and nitrogen. This feeding is equivalent to the use of expensive mineral fertilizers.

Sugar

Sweet solution is used as a direct source of glucose. In order to fertilize a plant, just dilute 1 tablespoon of sugar in 1 liter of water and pour the solution over the plant.

It should be remembered that this dose of glucose is not recommended more than once every 30 days.

Tea brewing

Citrus peel

Water the plant with citrus water no more than once every 30 days.. If watering is more frequent, the acidic environment can destroy the root system.

Eggshell

To prepare the irrigation solution, you need:

You can water the plant with this solution no more than once every 30 days.

Banana peel

Banana peel needs to be dried and ground into powder.. Sprinkle this powder onto the soil in the pot with begonia and water it generously. Carry out this procedure once a month.

The best result will be if banana powder is mixed with the soil before planting the plant in it.

Wood ash

Begonia should be watered once every 14 days.. This product works well as a fertilizer. In this case, you just need to mix it with the soil before planting the plant.

There are factory products that are intended for feeding house plants:

Kemira Lux

It's floral fertilizer is applied to the soil and covered with soil to a depth of 1-2 centimeters. The top needs to be watered generously.

The package indicates a dosage of 60 grams per square meter. 2 treatments per year are enough. You can water the plant with a solution in the proportion of 1 tablespoon of product per 10 liters of water. This watering can be repeated up to 2 times a month.

The average price is 70 rubles.

Good power

For root feeding, you need to dilute 1 cap of the product per 10 liters of water.

During the period of active growth, water the plant once a week., during the cold period, water once a month.

The average price in Russia is 300 rubles.

Bona forte

The product is suitable for root feeding. 10 milliliters of the drug are diluted in 1.5 liters of water.

In spring, it is worth watering begonia with a solution once a week, and in winter once a month.

The price in Russia is 180-200 rubles.

Fertika Lux

To feed the plant, you need to dilute 1 tablespoon of the product in 10 liters of water. Can apply the solution every watering in summer and every third watering in winter.

The average price is 70 rubles.

Mister Color

For root feeding, dilute half a cap of the product in 1 liter of water.

Water the plant with a solution during the period of active growth, but not more than once a week.

The average price is 50-75 rubles.

What is needed for abundant flowering?

Phosphorus promotes the formation of flower buds and abundant and long-lasting flowering. It is after a period of active growth, during the period of bud formation, that it is necessary to carry out potassium-phosphorus fertilizing in a complex. At this time, the dose of potassium salts should not exceed 1.5 grams per 1 liter of water.

Note! Phosphate rock is an ideal way to replenish phosphorus needs; it should be added to the soil of begonias at the rate of 70 grams per 1 square meter of soil.

Errors and their consequences

If, when feeding plants, you do not adhere to the specified standards for certain products, then such Negligence can lead to a number of consequences:

If the plant is overfed, it may die.
Oversaturation of a plant with organic or mineral fertilizers can lead to death; it is necessary to alternate fertilizers.
If the plant has just been planted or transplanted, it cannot be fed for a month; an immature seedling can slow down the development of the root system.
If a plant is sick, its feeding should be done carefully and start with small doses, since when the plant is sick, the roots of the plant are weakened and it can perceive nutrients as a destructive component.
Feeding during flowering or dormancy can destroy the plant.

Conclusion

In order for begonia to grow and develop, bloom profusely and reproduce, it requires increased attention. The main thing is to timely water and feed the plant. A review of the most popular home and store-bought fertilizers will help even novice gardeners keep their beautiful begonia in perfect condition.

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Begonia seeds have a high germination rate and are usually planted in February. For planting, containers filled with a mixture of peat, sand and leaf soil in a 1:1:2 ratio are used. The seeds are laid out on the surface and covered with film or glass on top. After about a week, the first shoots appear, and you can gradually accustom the plant to room air by opening it for half an hour. After 2-3 weeks, you can plant the sprouts in small pots, and after a month - in ordinary pots for continuous growth.

Location and lighting

Loves bright light, especially if it is in bloom. However, being in direct sunlight can cause the plant to burn. It is best to place a pot of begonia on windows facing west or east, where the sun shines only half the day. You should be careful about drafts: hypothermia can lead to the death of the plant.

Pot size

Begonia should not be planted immediately in a large pot; it may rot. Sprouts with roots are planted in pots with a diameter of 5-6 cm. After the development of the root system, larger diameter pots can be used. It is important that the pot has drainage holes to drain excess water.

The soil

Begonia is not a demanding plant. For planting in a pot, you can purchase ready-made special soil, or you can prepare the soil yourself. Begonias prefer light and loose soil that has a slightly acidic reaction. A mixture of leaf soil, peat and sand in proportions of 2:2:1 is best suited for begonias. Sand gives the necessary looseness to flower soil; it can even be added to a ready-made mixture purchased at a flower shop. Leaf soil should not contain tannins. These substances are released by trees such as willow and oak. Fine gravel and expanded clay must be placed at the bottom of the pot with the plant to organize the outflow of excess water. You can acidify the soil using compost.

Transfer

Begonias are replanted as needed, that is, when the roots no longer fit in the pot. The best time to replant a plant is the beginning of spring. To properly replant begonia, you need to clean its roots from soil and peat, cut off rotten areas and put the plant in water with manganese for half an hour. When placing a plant in a new pot, it is important not to immediately completely cover the roots. You need to let them dry, and only then cover them completely with soil. In the first month after transplantation, begonia needs especially careful watering. It should not be placed in direct sunlight, as this can lead to the death of the plant.

Fertilizers and fertilizing

To feed begonias, you can use a complex liquid fertilizer for flowering plants. Fertilizer is added to the soil 2 times a month starting from the moment of flowering. It is not recommended to use fertilizers containing nitrogen for flowering varieties of begonias, but they are ideal for deciduous ones.

Watering

Begonia loves water very much, especially on hot days, but it is very important not to let the water stagnate in the pot. Each begonia pot should have a drainage system, such as a layer of expanded clay at the bottom. In winter, the plant needs less watering, especially for tuberous varieties. In winter, they are placed in peat and stopped watering.

Temperature

The optimal temperature for growing begonia is 21-23 degrees in summer, and in winter no less than 15. If the plant is kept at lower temperatures, it will most likely die.

Humidity

Due to its tropical origin, begonia loves high air humidity, but you should not spray its leaves. This may cause stains to appear on them. The required humidity can be achieved as follows. The pot with the plant is placed on a tray with wet moss, wet peat or expanded clay, which is watered regularly.

Trimming

Pruning begonias is necessary to form the crown of the flower and maintain the correct proportions of the plant. If you do not prune your begonia, over time its stem will become bare and the leaves will become small. The plant will stretch in length and lose its splendor. Therefore, as soon as the plant reaches a height of 7 cm, it is necessary to cut off the upper leaves for the first time. This will stimulate the growth of lateral shoots, which will add lushness to the plant. When the side shoots grow back, their tops are also cut off. At this point, the formation of begonia can be considered complete and in the future it is only necessary to trim off dried leaves or improperly growing shoots. If, nevertheless, the flower was not cut on time and has become very elongated, you can try to trim off the top and lower shoots, however, this does not always allow the plant to return its attractive splendor. Pruning is carried out only with a sharp knife; scissors cannot be used, as this will injure the flower.

Pests and diseases

Some of the most common lesions of begonia are the fungal diseases powdery mildew and gray mold. In the first case, spots of powdery plaque appear on the plant, which gradually cover all the leaves. In the second, gray watery spots appear on the leaves, shoots and flowers, which later develop into rot. Most often, these diseases are caused by excess humidity. If such problems are detected, you need to reduce watering of the plant, and also spray it with special solutions to combat the fungus.

The main pests of begonias include aphids and red spider mites. To combat these pests, solutions of Fitoverm, Intavir, and Karbofos are used. The leaves are generously sprayed with an insecticidal agent, then the plant is placed in cellophane film to enhance the effect. However, it is better to prevent the appearance of such pests using preventative care measures for begonias.

Bloom

The flowering of begonia is a very beautiful sight. The abundance of bright lush flowers reminiscent of carnations, daffodils, roses will delight flower growers in the garden from early summer to early autumn, and in the apartment the flowering period increases and lasts from May to November. If begonia does not bloom for some reason, then the conditions in which it grows are not suitable for it. You should reconsider the location of the flower: perhaps the air is too dry and hot. The plant should be fed with fertilizers to stimulate its growth and flowering.

Reproduction

Reproduction of begonia is possible in various ways: tuberous, vegetative, using cuttings.

Tuberous propagation is carried out as follows:

Carefully remove the plant along with a large lump of earth and roots;
Trim the leaves and clean the roots from the soil;
The peeled tubers are placed in peat, which is kept moist;
Keep the room temperature at about 10 degrees;
Tuberous begonia should be replanted in early spring.

The vegetative method can be carried out using the apex of the root or dividing the tuber. In the first case, the cut top is placed in a pot with soil, covered with film and placed under diffused sunlight. After about a month, the seedling sprouts young shoots, which indicates rooting. In the second case, the tuber is divided into pieces about 7 cm long, each part of the tuber must have a bud. Pieces of the tuber are placed in moistened soil, also covered with film and placed in the light. After the appearance of young leaves, indicating the development of the root system, the shoot can be transplanted into a pot.

Propagation by leaf or stem cuttings is used when you need to get a lot of planting material at the output. When propagating by leaf cuttings, an intact leaf of the plant is used, which is cut into small squares. They are laid out on the prepared substrate and covered with film. Rooting occurs in approximately 2-3 weeks. If stem cuttings are taken, then you need to use a cutting that has at least 2 buds. Large leaves are cut off. The cuttings are planted in the prepared substrate in a hole and covered with a bag or plastic bottle on top. Cuttings must be ventilated periodically. Rooting also occurs after 2-3 weeks.

Rest period

The periods of rest in begonia are not pronounced. These periods occur when environmental conditions differ significantly from those recommended. This is a hot summer time with temperatures above 40 degrees, as well as a winter period with a decrease in temperature and light levels. During dormant periods, begonia's need for water is insignificant.

Plant toxicity/beneficial properties

The leaves of indoor begonia contain a high amount of phytoncides - substances that purify and disinfect the air. This helps improve immunity, reduce fatigue, and increase performance. In particular, begonia fights bacteria such as staphylococcus, significantly reducing its content in the surrounding air (up to 80%). In addition, begonia neutralizes toxic substances released by padding polyester, plastic and some other synthetic materials. Thanks to these beneficial properties, begonia is recommended to be placed in bedrooms, children's rooms, and living rooms.

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 a very light-loving plant; it needs bright, diffused light all year round. And only begonia with decorative leaves can easily tolerate partial shade, while all other species need bright light, but not direct sunlight. 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. You can purchase a ready-made mixture at flower shops or prepare the optimal soil yourself.

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; in the summer, 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. The minimum permissible temperature for begonia is 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 removed from this state gradually, 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, as it threatens the begonia with root rot and becomes susceptible to such an unpleasant disease as powdery mildew ().

Water for irrigation. Particular attention should be paid to the quality of the water that is 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?

It is necessary to fertilize begonia, especially during the period of active growth and flowering; complex mineral fertilizers, which must be applied once a week, are perfect for this. 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 with 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 are 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 them. 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

Every gardener who grows begonia wants it to look healthy and bloom luxuriantly. This is only possible with proper care. In this article we will tell you how and what to feed begonia, what growing conditions it prefers.

Begonias grow actively from March to October, then they lose their leaves and “hibernate.” At this time, all shoots are cut off from the plant, the tubers are placed in damp sand and stored until spring in a dark, cool place, maintaining moderate humidity.

In March, the begonia is planted in a pot, and shoots should appear immediately. At this time, the first fertilizing with nitrogen (saltpeter, urea) is given. In the future, flowering plants should not be fed with nitrogen agents, otherwise the begonia will produce abundant foliage instead of flowers. Suitable fertilizers for flowering begonia are special complexes for indoor plants with a predominance of potassium. Leaf varieties are suitable for nitrogen fertilizing.

You can tell about the lack of nutrients by the appearance of the plant.

Begonias also require magnesium, boron, manganese and zinc. These elements are present in balanced quantities in ready-made mineral complexes for indoor plants.

How to fertilize at home?

Feed the begonia growing on the windowsill every 10-12 days, observing the following rules:

In order for nutrients to be well absorbed, the pot with the plant must be in a place illuminated with diffused light at a temperature of +13 to +23 ° C and a humidity of 60%.
Fertilizing should be done in the evening.
Two hours before application, the begonia is watered. Tap water must be left to stand for two days and then filtered.
The fertilizer composition should not come into contact with shoots and leaves.

Organic

Experts believe that organic fertilizers are not suitable for tuberous begonia. However, some hobbyists use vermicompost as a top dressing.

When growing the plants in question, it is appropriate to use the organic substance peat, but not as a top dressing, but to soften the water.

Mineral and organo-mineral compositions

Let's consider the most effective complex feedings that will be useful for begonias.

Kemira Lux

This universal fertilizer is available in granular and liquid form. Its use gives flowers brightness, makes them large, and the flowering period is long. The complex includes all the micro- and macroelements needed by flower crops in an easily digestible form.

For indoor flowers, it is better to use liquid fertilizer, which should be diluted at the rate of 1.5 ml per 1 liter of water. Begonias are watered with this solution twice a month.

Good power

This drug includes:

nitrogen and potassium – 5% each;
phosphorus – 2.5%.

The composition contains magnesium, boron, iron, molybdenum, manganese and zinc, present in chelated form. In addition to macro- and microelements, the product contains a growth stimulator, humates and vitamins, therefore “Good Power” is classified as an organo-mineral fertilizer.

Bona forte

Top dressing from the “Health” series contains the entire complex of nutrients plus humic acids. The latter are needed for the accumulation and preservation of chemicals and their gradual transfer to plants.

The drug is used as a root dressing; the solution is prepared at the rate of 10 ml per 1.5 liters of water.

Fertilizer should not be applied earlier than a week after replanting the plant.

Fertika Lux

This remedy has many varieties; for begonias, the best option is “Fertika Lux Flower”. Its composition is selected in such a way that after use the color of the flowers becomes brighter and the flowering becomes more abundant.

The drug is applied no more than three times per season: the first time at planting, the second time after half a month, the third time with the appearance of the first buds. Application method: dry fertilizer is scattered around the stem and the soil is loosened.

Mister Color

A mineral complex containing, in addition to the main essential substances, a large number of trace elements in chelated form. The composition is supplemented with amino acids: glycine, agrinine, etc., as well as vitamins (PP and group B).

This drug helps stimulate growth, intense coloration of flowers, improves immunity and enhances the growth of the root system.

Suitable for use as root and foliar feeding. The concentration of the solution for the first method is 1 ml per 1 liter of water. For spraying, the solution should be weakened by half.