Description of varieties of tuberous begonias, planting and care in the garden and breeding methods

Tuberous begonia: features and characteristics of culture

Begonia belongs to perennial plants, twisting shoots. The bush can grow up to 70 cm in height, depending on the variety. The leaves of the plant are heart-shaped and large in size. Inflorescences can be of different sizes, however, as a rule, they consist of a cluster of flowers, forming a panicle. Features of the plant:

• can be grown both outdoors and indoors;
• forms tubers;
• flower color can be varied;
• each cultivar can react differently to changes in the environment.

Begonia varieties differ in leaf size and flower color. Also, inflorescences can be of various shapes and sizes.

Choosing the right tuber

Botanists classify tuberous begonia into four types:

• large-flowered;
• small-flowered;
• mid-flowered;
• ampelous (having hanging stems).

The main difference between these species is in the size of the tubers, the color of flowers and leaves, as well as their shapes (double and non-double in the former and corrugation and serration in the latter).

When growing begonias, priority is given to choosing the right tuber. In this matter, one should not chase after cheap and promotional goods, which can often be found in large supermarkets and from individuals in spontaneous trade stalls. In such cases, there is a high risk of getting poor quality material that will not give good results even if the plant is carefully cared for.

When buying, it is worth excluding tubers that have the following characteristic disadvantages:

• soft and sluggish to the touch;
• looks dehydrated;
• has external damage;
• covered with a whitish bloom or individual molds.

It is desirable for the buyer to inspect each tuber separately, it can be difficult when buying prepackaged tubers in sachets, sometimes also having an opaque polyethylene surface. When probing the material in such packages, you should opt for elastic and dense tubers of large size. Waking up kidneys will be a sure sign of a good purchase.

As a rule, begonias tubers, ready for the planting season, appear on sale by the end of winter. They are delivered from Holland. Having bought planting material in a store on cold winter days, you should take care of reliable transportation to your home. Begonia does not tolerate cold, and taking it out of a warm room into frost can cost it its life. Usually sellers pack tubers in small bags filled with peat or sawdust and insulate them with paper.

Benefits of using in landscaping

A wide range of colors of plants allows you to create compositions and is often used in landscape design.

Benefits of begonia:

• the plant is unpretentious in care;
• saturated colors;
• used for planting in a pot;
• can be used as a cover for flower beds;
• you can create various curly designs;
• street begonia is used to create slides;
• goes well with various plants.

Disadvantages:

• planting begonias in an area with constant sun exposure can contribute to the absence of inflorescences on the bushes;
• in the fall, the begonia must be dug up, which can cause discomfort for large compositions.

The plant has a long flowering period and is an ideal garden decoration.

Photo of flowers

Here you can see a photo of a begonia flower in a pot.

Popular varieties

Among the large list of begonia varieties, it is necessary to highlight the most commonly used ones.

See also

Planting, growing and caring for wisteria in the open field, how to propagateRead

Main subspecies

There are several varieties of this plant. For growing tuberous begonias in the country, any of them is suitable.

1. Small-flowered - single-row or double inflorescences, the diameter of which does not exceed 5 cm.
2. Mid-flowered - the size of the flower reaches 10 cm.
3. Large-flowered - differs in large inflorescences, up to 20 cm, which can be of almost any shape: terry, warty, rose-like, daffodil, peony, camellia.
4. Ampelnaya - stands out among the rest with long, up to 1 meter, shoots. This subspecies is very profitable to plant in hanging pots, then long branches will hang very beautifully from the edges of the pots. In the photo you can see how interesting garden decoration using ampelous begonia can be.

How to plant begonia outdoors

Planting a plant does not require special skills, it is enough to follow the standard rules.

Disembarkation dates

The plant is planted most often in mid-May, when there is no night frost. At night, the air temperature should be at least 12 degrees. However, if the weather conditions are favorable, the planting can be carried out earlier, at night the planting is covered with plastic wrap.

Landing schemes and technology

Planting a plant does not cause difficulties, the following steps must be followed:

• small holes up to 7 cm deep are made in the prepared area;
• wells are pre-watered with warm water;
• drainage is laid at the bottom of the hole;
• the tuber is carefully placed in the hole, sprinkled with soil;
• if already germinated seedlings are used, the ground part of the plant should be placed on the soil surface;
• the soil is compacted a little.

The distance between the holes must be at least 20 cm, otherwise the plant will have a lack of nutrients.

The soil

Requirements

• Optimum soil acidity pH: 6.1 to 7.5.
• Begonia loves nutrient-rich soil.
• The soil must have good drainage properties.
• It is not recommended to take soil from the house, in the country or in the forest. Such soil is almost always infested with diseases and insects, and its acidity is unknown.

Mix recipes

Tuber germination mixture:

• moss - 1 part;
• sheet land - 1 part;
• perlite - 1 part.

For tuberous begonia:

• 
  sand - 2 parts;

• sod land - 1 part;
• leaf land - 2 parts.

For the royal:

• leaf land - 2 parts;
• peat - 2 parts;
• humus - 2 parts;
• sod land - 1 part.

For ever blooming:

• sand - 1 part;
• humus - 1 part;
• leaf land - 2 parts;
• peat - 1 part.

Important! The potting soil must be sterilized before use.

How to care for a bush

Proper maintenance includes watering and regular loosening of the soil. It is also important to apply fertilizers in a timely manner and monitor the condition of the leaves and shoots of the crop.

Watering and feeding

Watering the flower beds is carried out every three days in the morning. If the soil is wet, irrigation is transferred to the next day. It is necessary to water the plant in moderation, excessive moisture leads to damage to the roots.

Fertilizers are applied according to the following scheme:

• after planting, a complex mineral fertilizer is applied to the soil;
• during the period of bud formation, it is necessary to use potassium and phosphorus for abundant color;
• mineral fertilizers are added in July.

In the fall, feeding is not carried out, since it is necessary to prepare the roots for winter.

Pruning

In order for the bush to have an attractive shape, pruning is recommended. It is recommended to remove leaves and shoots after the bush reaches a height of 10 cm. All unnecessary shoots are removed and a bush is formed.

After the shoots of the plant reach a length of 12-15 cm, the top is pinched. In order not to infect an infection, a sharp knife is used, which is pre-treated with manganese.

Important. So that the plant does not die, the place of the cut is sprinkled with charcoal after pruning.

Begonia transplant

It is not recommended to replant the plant, since begonia does not tolerate a change in the place of growth. However, if necessary, the following actions are used:

• water the plant with water;
• carefully using a small spatula, dig up the plant along with the soil;
• place the seedling in a container with a light manganese solution for 15 minutes;
• transplant into prepared holes.

After the plant is removed from the soil, it is not recommended to delay the planting process in a new place of growth.

Diseases and pests: treatment and control

Bushes are most commonly affected by the following types of pests:

• aphid;
• shield;
• whitefly;
• nematodes.

For pest control, the following drugs are used: "Actellik", "Fitoferm", "Biotlin".

Among the diseases most often occur:

• powdery mildew;
• gray rot;
• bacterial spotting.

For treatment, a thorough loosening of the soil and spraying with the following preparations are carried out: "Topaz", "Fundazol", a light solution of copper sulfate.

Diseases and pests

This plant is slightly susceptible to diseases, only occasionally some of them may appear:

• leaf or gray rot;
• powdery mildew;
• root system infections.

All of them are formed when the soil is waterlogged and are treated by stopping irrigation and fungicides.

Pests also practically do not attack tuberous begonias. It can be affected by thrips, nematodes, aphids, whitefly and pseudo-scale insects. In these cases, the plant is moved away from the rest and treated with insecticides. Neighboring bushes are also best treated with preventive treatment.

Do not forget about reposting articles on your pages so that more people know about such a beautiful plant.

Is it necessary to dig up plants for the winter?

Tubers are dug up in mid-November. It is imperative to dig up the roots of begonia, otherwise the culture may die. The tubers are located in the upper layers of the soil, so the impact of low temperatures affects the planting material.

Difference between wintering begonia at home and outdoors

Tubers that grew in the open field are large and require mandatory digging for the winter. Flowers that grew in pots also go into hibernation mode, however, they are small and remain in their pots until spring.

How to preserve young begonia tubers in winter

In order to prevent tubers from dying during the winter, the following storage tips must be followed:

• storage is carried out in a cool place;
• it is necessary to water the planting material so that the roots do not dry out;
• young tubers are placed in wooden boxes, it is periodically necessary to inspect the roots and remove sprouts if they appear prematurely.

You can also store planting material in a plastic bag filled with peat, such a bag is placed in the refrigerator in the compartment for storing vegetables.

Features of planting a plant

Before propagating a begonia, it is recommended that you familiarize yourself with such features of its planting so that everything goes well:

1. since the roots of the flower are small, it is best for him to choose a low and not very voluminous container;
2. before planting a plant in a pot, it is recommended to moisten the ground well;
3. tuberous begonias grow better when the distance from the edge of the pot to the tuber does not exceed two centimeters;
4. Before planting the begonia in a pot, you need to take care of good drainage. Therefore, cover the bottom of the container with a two-centimeter layer of broken brick or expanded clay;
5. when planting, it is impossible to deepen the root collar or the growth point of the seedling;
6. for the first three days after planting the plant in a pot, keep it in a shaded area.

The soil for begonia can be bought ready-made in a specialized store or you can make it yourself. You can additionally add sand to the purchased substrate.

For rooting cuttings, it is recommended to use:

• peat mixed with sand in equal proportions;
• peat with sand in a ratio of 1: 3;
• leafy soil mixed with peat and sand in a ratio of 1: 1: 3.

Cuttings and adult plants require different soil composition. To transplant seedlings to a permanent growth site, prepare the following substrates:

1. in a ratio of 2: 1: 1: 1, mix turf and deciduous soil, adding sand with humus;
2. in a ratio of 2: 2: 1: 0.5, mix peat with leafy soil, sand and manure;
3. mix greenhouse soil with peat, sand and manure in equal amounts.

Reproduction methods

Tuberous begonia reproduces in the following ways:

• Reproduction by a sheet. For this, a leaf with a handle is used. A leaf with a handle is placed in water and left until the roots appear. Then the sprout is planted in the ground. Another breeding method is also used, small longitudinal cuts are made on the leaf of the plant. The sheet is placed on the ground with cuts down. A plastic wrap is put on top of the pot.
• Reproduction using seeds. The seeds are purchased from a gardening store. Planting takes place in February. Drainage and special seedling soil are placed in special boxes for planting. The seeds are laid out on the surface of the soil at a distance of 2 cm from each other. They are sprayed with water from above and pressed slightly into the ground. They are covered with glass from above. After the emergence of seedlings, the seedlings dive.
• Propagation by cuttings. This method involves the use of a shoot, which is placed for an hour in a growth activator, and then in peat.The seedling must sometimes be watered so that the cutting takes root.

The culture can reproduce in various ways, while not reducing its characteristics.

What capacity is needed for planting?

The size

Note! Given the peculiarities of the structure of the root system, it is necessary to give preference to containers, the diameter of which is slightly higher than the height.

The size of the pot depends on the purpose of planting. Cuttings that have already begun to take root are seated in containers measuring 5-6 centimeters. The pots must have several drainage holes.

After 6 months, when the root system is already entangled with an earthen ball, the begonia needs to be transplanted into a pot measuring 8 - 10 centimeters. If the first planting was carried out in the spring, after a year, an even larger container is selected. It is determined based on the size of the resulting root system.

The flowerpot should be one third larger than the previous one. You can't choose too spacious a container for begonias the first time. The root system of the plant can rot. When dividing the overgrown begonias, the diameter and height of the flowerpot for each of the separated parts is 2-3 centimeters less than the previous one. When separating young outlets, the children are temporarily placed in seedling containers measuring 60 by 60 millimeters.

The form

For begonias, it is better to take a regular round pot. The shape of the container should not complicate the process of plant transplanting.

Material

Ceramic pots are more suitable for normal functioning of the root system of begonia. They do not retain moisture and provide good air circulation.

Plastic can also be used if you choose the right soil, ensure good drainage and prevent overheating or overcooling of the container.

On a note. Popular glass pots are not worth purchasing for begonias. Such flowerpots are of little use, and the decorative effect is absent when growing plants in a conventional substrate.

Read about how to properly care for a potted plant here.

The main difficulties in growing

When growing begonias, the following difficulties may arise:

• brown spots appear on the leaves, this indicates excessive sunlight, which resulted in burns;
• leaves curl - it is necessary to spray the plants;
• inflorescences fall off - excessive watering of the crop.

With improper care, very often the culture is exposed to diseases and does not give color; when such symptoms appear, it is necessary to revise the rules of care. Begonia is famous for its variety of varieties and unique flowers. Compliance with the rules of care will allow you to make various compositions and flower slides.

Subtleties of care for diseases

Begonias in the garden and in the room are quite moody and require good care. If the care is not thorough enough, you should not expect a beautiful flowering from the plant. Many begonia lovers face care problems. This can be seen by the look of the plant:

• there are brown spots on the leaves (this is a signal that the plant has received a burn from the sun. Therefore, the plant must be removed in the shade);
• if the flower stands away from the sun, and there are still brown spots (this means that the plant is lacking fertilizer, excess or lack of water);
• leaves dry, and then fall off, it can be assumed that there is insufficient air humidity in the room.

How to pick up seeds

The first step in the process is seed selection. To get beautiful healthy plants, you need to choose high-quality and convenient seeds for planting. When choosing seeds, it is necessary to consider:

1. packing time, choose fresh seed that was harvested in the current year. Over time, they lose their germination despite the expiration date indicated on the package;
2. it is more convenient to plant granulated seeds in peat tablets; they have a dense shell of nutrients, which makes them larger in size;
3. regular kernels are smaller and are best sown in special containers or seedling boxes.

Planting and growing begonias from seeds at home

If you have to grow begonias from seeds at home step by step, then the seeds of a tuberous flower must be planted in December. When you need to plant a flower in a garden or vegetable garden, the planting is postponed to early spring. If the seedlings are intended for the southern regions, then they are sown at the end of March or in April so that young plants are not overgrown. Since in this form, they lose their decorative appearance and may die.

Many experts believe that if begonias are to be planted with seeds at home, then they are planted for seedlings in November or December. This nuance is explained by the fact that early planting gives the seedlings more health. In addition, due to sowing in November or December, tuberous begonia manages to form full-fledged tubers by the beginning of autumn, which can reach a diameter of up to 2.5 cm. And these roots are perfectly preserved in winter. When sowing seeds of tuberous begonia takes place closer to spring, then by autumn the thickness of the tubers will be no more than 1.5 cm, so many of them simply do not survive the winter. As a result, the question is, growing begonias by seeds: when they are planted, it depends on where exactly the flower will grow - in a garden or an apartment. See the article on growing pelargonium from seeds at home.

How the plant is sick and methods of treatment

Club and ornamental foliage begonia have similar diseases and methods of treatment with them.

This is what powdery mildew looks like. The usual rubbing of the leaves will lead to the appearance of even larger stains. Therefore, do not torment the plant and waste time in vain - immediately charge the spray bottle with a fungicide

Why begonia doesn't bloom - answers to a popular question

What to do if you did everything right, but for some reason your plant stubbornly does not want to bloom? What is the reason for this? There may be several reasons. This plant is quite capricious, therefore, first of all, it is worth paying attention to the conditions in which it is located. Experts advise to move the plant to the northern part of the house and wait a couple more days. The presence of flowers on the stem of begonia directly depends on the age of the plant. The older it is, the more flowers there will be, and the more stable they will be.

Blooming begonia

On a plant grown from tubers, the first flowers can appear only by the end of summer - 2–2.5 months after transplanting into the soil. The number of buds and flowers is strongly influenced by a lack of light, dry air or the presence of drafts. In all these cases, it is worthwhile to immediately eliminate the interfering factor. Stop adding nitrogen or potassium based fertilizers to the soil if necessary. Experts often advise completely replacing the soil in a pot. To do this, the plant must be carefully pulled out of the container and the roots rinsed, after which it immediately returns to the pot filled with new earth.

Which fertilizers to use - mineral or organic?

Tuberous begonia is very sensitive to various feeding. Therefore, during the growing season, the plant is fertilized at least 2-3 times. It is best not to apply one type of top dressing, but add both organic and mineral fertilizers. For the first time, it is worth adding top dressing during the period of bud formation 10-14 days after transplanting. From the range of organic feeds, mullein is the best choice. Before adding it, it is worth calculating the proportion. To get a good result, you need to take 10 liters per m2. fertilizer and add 2 g of boric acid to it.

Fertilizers for flowers

As soon as the first flowers appear, it is worth adding fertilizer again. The plant will need a complex feeding with phosphorus, nitrogen and potassium in the composition. Each of the components must be at least 80 g. The third top dressing should be added no earlier than 2 weeks later. The fertilizer should contain 20 parts of mullein and 1 part of magnesium sulfate. For the fourth time, potash fertilizer will need to be added to the soil, and in the fifth, potassium-phosphorus fertilization with the addition of 15 g of magnesium sulfate.

Begonia: some information

For the first time, Michel Begon described the colorful gift of nature when he saw it in the Antilles. In honor of him, the flower was named, and all other open subspecies were attributed to the Begoniev family.

Nowadays, tuberous begonia is the most popular because of its brightness, external beauty and ease of cultivation.

The picture shows an impeccably grown decorative deciduous breed of begonias. Lacking colorful flowers, it is no less picturesque. Rich, healthy foliage means proper plant care

How to choose the right tubers

NOTE

As a rule, they try to acquire the material already in mid-January. Store it in the refrigerator or in a cool place on the floor (for more details, see the section "How to store tubers correctly"). Breeding features depend on the climate:

1. In the cold climate of our latitudes, begonia bulbs begin to grow only indoors. Planting time - 1 month before the last expected frost (this is mid-February or early March).
2. In tropical latitudes, you can immediately plant the bulbs in the soil. Term - one month before the first hot days. That is, the sprouts should take root until real heat comes.

Thus, for Russian latitudes, the timing for planting tuberous begonias at the turn of February-March is generally relevant.

Begonia

When buying a plant, you must carefully examine it. Leaves should be firm, free from spots, damage, insect pests. It is best that the buds on the bush are half-open. So when the situation changes, the plant will get used to the house faster

If you want to buy begonias tubers, they should be strong, dense, not overdried (at least 4 cm in diameter), without mold. Usually, a high-quality onion has a convex bottom, a concave or flat top, as well as tubercles, irregularities (growth points) located in the upper part.

Begonia tubers

It is best to buy tubers at the end of February - March. During this time, reddish or white buds will be visible on healthy bulbs. And in January - February it is difficult to determine them. They are still dormant.

All begonias are best planted in the spring. You can pre-treat the roots of the plant with a fungicide.

Expanded clay or coarse sand is poured at the bottom of the pot. Charcoal is placed on top of it (layer 2-3 cm). This is to avoid root decay. Then the prepared soil is poured.

Note! The capacity should be 4 centimeters larger than the root system.

Planting begonias

The plant is planted in the center of the pot, sprinkled with earth (left to the edge of 1 cm), do not tamp. Water abundantly, drain excess water from the saucer. If the soil settles, fill up the soil.

We suggest you familiarize yourself with: How to use garlic to strengthen the immune system? Honey, lemon and garlic for immunity at any time of the year: recipes for adults and children - By Ekaterina Danilova

Important! The growth point must remain above the ground.

Tuber planting

The best time is March. Tubers are pre-germinated. They are planted in a mixture of leafy soil with peat or purchased soil. There should be a drain at the bottom of the container.

Place containers in a bright place. Maintain high humidity and the desired temperature (18 degrees). Pour into a pallet.

Tuber planting begonias

When sprouts appear, the onions are transplanted into pots. Do not fill them with earth to the brim. After the nodules grow up, sprinkle with soil (3 cm thick).

Further care

Watering begonias

Pruning

Pruning begonias

Transfer

With the onset of autumn, care for tuberous crops ends. Dig the onions after all the tops have died. They are dried, placed in peat or sand. Tubers are checked occasionally (1-2 times / month). Store in a cool place (basement, glazed balcony) until spring.

Digging up tubers

Plants with ornamental leaves need the same care as in summer. True, they reduce watering, lower the temperature (16 - 18 degrees), arrange additional lighting. It is undesirable to leave flowers near the heating system.

As you know, Elatior begonia can bloom all year round. However, experienced florists recommend arranging a vacation for them. You just need to pinch the tops of the shoots. They need the same winter care as decorative deciduous species.

When the substrate is ready, pots are available (always with drainage holes in the right amount at the bottom), you can start planting tubers. This should be done in February - early March. The process itself is carried out as follows:

1. Wash the pots, disinfect with potassium permanganate, rinse and dry.
2. Place a drainage layer on the bottom. Its thickness should be at least 1 cm. It is desirable that the drainage takes up a third or a quarter of the planting container.
3. Pour some potting soil over the drain. Smooth and compact it. The pot should now be half full.
4. Remove dead roots from tubers and disinfect them with fungicide or potassium permanganate.
5. Try on how the tuber fits into the container. It should not be higher than the level of the pot. If 1.5-2.0 cm remains free to the top, then this is the ideal location of the tuber. If it is deeper, then you need to add soil again and check if everything has been done correctly.
6. Now you need to remove the root again and moisten the soil well. But you cannot be zealous - it should not become dirt.
7. Lay the tuber. Fill the free space with soil on the sides. It is not necessary to bury the tuber completely yet. The soil will close the eyes and they will not be able to germinate. Therefore, until sprouts appear, the tuber from above remains open. "

If the tubers are young, you do not need to leave more than 2 sprouts on them - they will not be able to provide the required number of more branches. On old tubers, the number of sprouts left can be increased to 5.

After the planting process is completed, the begonia is not watered until the start of the growth of pale shoots. All this time, the pot should be in a warm, well-lit room. Lighting should be bright, but diffuse. Water when young shoots begin to turn green. But watered so that the water does not fall on either the sprouts or the tuber. Therefore, it is best to immerse the pot in a container of water below the tuber placement level for a short time so that the soil does not become too damp.

After the young shoots rise to a height of 5-6 cm, and the first leaves will unfold on them, the tuber must be sprinkled with earth. After that, adventitious roots will appear on the tuber, which will help the adult plant to stay in the soil and not roll over from the pot.Next, you need to water the begonia by immersion.

Very often, novice growers do not pay attention to changes in the appearance of begonias. This is fraught with serious consequences, therefore, the most common manifestations will be discussed below.

How to pick

Picking is the process of transplanting grown plants from a smaller container into a larger one. This must be done so that begonias are not cramped and they can develop normally. During the picking, flower growers get rid of non-viable seedlings. After the completion of the process, they are again covered with foil. After how many days to repeat the procedure, you can determine on your own, focusing on the growth rate and the appearance of the seedlings.

Over time, the conditions for flowers change so that in the future they can adapt in the open air. The temperature is gradually lowered to room temperature, but not lower than 18 degrees, and the air humidity is gradually reduced, which teaches the ventilation of the plants.

What kind of pot do you need?

When planting begonias, preference should be given to wide, low pots, the diameter of which exceeds their height by at least a few centimeters. This condition is associated with the peculiarities of the formation of the root system, which prefers to develop in breadth. This shape of the pot will also allow the substrate to be well ventilated and provide the necessary amount of oxygen to the roots.

Choosing the right size

In which pot to plant a young plant? The first container for a young begonia grown from a cutting or leaf should not exceed 5-6 cm in diameter.About six months, when the plant is fully rooted, it can be transplanted into a larger pot with a diameter of about 10-12 cm.Further transplanting is carried out as needed (but at least once every 2-3 years), while each subsequent capacity should be one third larger than the previous one.

Important! You should not immediately plant a flower in a pot that is too spacious, if the amount of substrate significantly exceeds the volume of the root system, this will lead to waterlogging and the subsequent process of decay.

Soil preparation for planting

Begonias are very demanding on the soil and its quality, so it is better for beginners not to experiment and buy a ready-made earthen mixture designed specifically for begonias. If you have experience in planting flowers, then you can prepare the substrate yourself.

For adult tubers, you can prepare the following mixture:

1. Deciduous land (three parts).
2. Sand (one piece).
3. Peat (one part)
4. Rotten manure (one part).

Everything needs to be mixed well and the loose, fibrous, humus-rich soil is ready. The only thing to remember is that it must have a neutral acidic reaction, so it is best to adhere to the specified components and their amount.

What do begonia tubers look like?

We plant seeds

If you are opting for granular seeds, take peat tablets. You will not need to dive at young plants.

Such a tablet is a peat pressed in a special way, which is covered with a net.The advantage of a peat tablet is that it has excellent air and moisture permeability. The composition allows you to retain moisture, but does not allow fungal diseases to appear.

Soak the tablets well with water before sowing the seeds. Then put a seed on each tablet and sprinkle it with water. From above, you need to cover the tablets with a bag or film to maintain the desired moisture level. Watering such seedlings is necessary regularly through the pallet, preventing the tablets from drying out.

Plain seeds are sown in seedling boxes. It is necessary to plant begonias in a special soil, which should consist of one part of sand, one part of sod soil and four parts of leafy soil. You can buy ready-made potting mix. Remember to prepare the drain by placing it in the bottom of the drawer.

Sowing is carried out in thoroughly moisten the soil, preferably done in a day. Then you need to evenly distribute the existing begonia seeds over the entire surface of the soil. Cover the seedlings with glass or plastic. Watering newly planted seeds is not recommended.

It is desirable that the temperature in the room where the seedlings will be located is about 24 degrees. The place must be bright.

Many gardeners are worried about the question: how many days the first shoots appear. Plants should emerge in 9-25 days, but sometimes the process is delayed.

Shoot care

After the first shoots appear, the plant begins to grow rapidly, so frequent watering and feeding is needed. The weakest shoots must be removed by sprinkling the wounds with ash or coal. On each plant, a maximum of 4 shoots are left, in small-flowered species - up to dust. The total number of shoots allowed depends on the size and age of the tuber.

Top dressing with complex fertilizers should be done regularly. It is also recommended to use organic fertilizers with mullein, occasionally watering with a weak solution of boric acid, trying not to get on the tuber itself.

From the beginning of May, you can already start hardening the plants: take the pots out to the veranda or put them on the windowsill near the open window. The place must be protected from cold and frost.

In addition to regular watering, sufficient air humidity should be maintained, otherwise begonia begins to curl the leaves, thus trying to reduce the evaporation area. To increase the humidity, air is sprayed from a spray bottle and moist sphagnum moss is laid out along the edge of the pot.