Red-leaved begonia (Fista) - caring for a houseplant at home

Begonia
Begonia aconitifolia
Scientific classification
intermediate ranks Domain:		Eukaryotes

Kingdom:

Plants

The Department:

Flowering

Class:

Dicotyledons [1]

Superorder:

Rosanae

Order:

Pumpkin

Family:

Begonia

International scientific name Begoniaceae C. Agardh, 1824Childbirth

• Begonia (Begonia
  )
• Hillebrandia

Begonium

(lat.
Begoniaceae
) Is a family of plants from the class of dicotyledons, subclass of dilleniids.

Terry begonia care

Temperature regime

In summer, begonia is grown at room temperature, although it does not tolerate temperatures above 25 ° C, in addition, when placing the plant, direct sunlight should be avoided. In the cold season, for unfading begonias, the room temperature is maintained at a level of 15 ° C. Begonias love fresh air, it is recommended to regularly ventilate the room, but you should not place the plant in a draft.
Tuberous begonias are dormant in winter, this period lasts 3-3.5 months. The tubers are stored at a temperature of 10-12 ° C in sand or peat, which is occasionally moistened to prevent the tubers from drying out.

Watering and humidity

In the hot season, the plant needs abundant watering. Begonia is watered twice a week, while stagnation of water in the ground should not be allowed. By winter, watering is gradually reduced to 3 times a month, this is enough, since in winter the vegetation of the plant stops and it requires less moisture. Make sure that the soil does not dry out, especially if the plant is placed near heating radiators.

Begonias love humid air, but do not spray it with water, this will have a bad effect on the health of the plant and cause the appearance of ugly brown spots on the leaves. To humidify dry air, water is sprayed indoors, while the plant itself is placed on a pallet with wet expanded clay.

Fertilizer

During the growing season and abundant flowering, plants are fed 1-2 times a month with special complexes of mineral fertilizers for flowering plants.

Soil for begonia

For planting terry begonias, light crumbly fertile soil containing peat, humus, sod and leafy soil is suitable. A special ready-made soil for begonias is on sale. Drainage must be placed at the bottom of the pot.

Transfer

Clay pots are best suited for growing begonias, the walls of such pots are porous, this will provide air access to the ground and prevent steaming. For ampelous begonias, small and wide pots are selected.

Terry begonias are planted in new soil in early spring, if necessary, a larger pot is selected. It is recommended to transplant once every 2 years, tuberous - annually after a dormant period. Over time, the plant loses its decorative appearance, so it is renewed by cuttings.

Pruning

Terry begonia with a bush form of the aerial part needs regular pruning. With the help of pruning, a beautiful appearance of the plant is formed, and rejuvenation occurs. Trimming is done only with a sharp knife. When the stem of a young plant reaches 10 cm, the crown is pinched, and the plant begins to form lateral shoots. When the lateral shoots reach a length of 12 cm, they are also pinched.Next, they monitor the appearance of the plant, giving it the required shape, removing damaged and dry stems. The trumpet begonias are pruned as needed to give a beautiful appearance.

A little about the transplant

A young red-leaved begonia is transplanted every year before or after flowering (or a year later in the spring), while adult flowers are transplanted only when the roots grow over the entire diameter of the flowerpot - that is, once every three to four years. It is best to replant the fistu in flat, wide containers so that the roots have room for growth, using compost soil, mixed in equal proportions with soil and peat. Sometimes mineral fertilizers, sand or leafy soil are added to it. The following soil composition is also possible: a mixture of sod and leafy soil and sand in a ratio of 1: 3: 1. It is necessary to transplant carefully, be sure to preserve the root ball of the earth. Each movement of the fista is painful, therefore, after the procedure, it needs careful and careful care.

Homemade begonia is usually transplanted once a year in March and then as needed - if its roots, like the roots of fista, become cramped in the old flowerpot. The soil for it should be a light substrate: a mixture of leaf and sod land, humus, sand and peat. The largest share in it should be allocated to leafy ground, so that it occupies a little more than half of the entire pot. It is usually transplanted the next day after watering. In this case, one should not only clean the roots of the flower from the old soil, but also place them in a solution of potassium permanganate to protect against fungal diseases, then cut off the damaged and old roots, process the sections with crushed charcoal and place them in a new substrate. It is not necessary to fill it up to the top in the pot - the soil is added as the roots grow.

It should be noted that in the first month after transplantation, home begonia needs increased attention and care - for example, more frequent (once every 5-6 days) watering, daily spraying and more careful protection from direct sunlight. Some experts recommend generally transferring the transplanted begonia for several days to a shady, draft-free place. It should be watered when the earth from above dries up and settles. After the next watering, the soil must be poured into the pot to the previous level. Sometimes home begonia is cut off a little after transplanting - this, firstly, reduces the evaporating surface of the flower, and secondly, it gives it a certain shape. It is not recommended to cut the fista for the sake of crown formation.

For both varieties, a loose, breathable soil is required. Some experienced growers make a substrate consisting of coco-soil, peat ("Violet" briquette), universal purchased sandy soil, humus, perlite and vermiculite. According to the reviews of those who used it, the mixture is very loose and breathable.

Features of breeding red begonias

Despite the fact that these varieties belong to the same species, they differ from each other not only in size: for all the similarity in breeding, there are some nuances that distinguish them from each other.

First of all, this concerns warmth and photophilousness. These properties, inherent in all members of the begonia family, are common to these varieties, but direct sunlight is contraindicated for them, as it can cause leaf burns, which will cause them to lose their color. At the same time, lack of it will cause pallor of the leaves. The ideal placement option for them would be a place near the window, where they will receive bright, but diffused light. If it is not possible to place begonias in this way, it is advisable to provide them with shading with a cloth, blinds or gauze.

It should be noted that in terms of choosing a location for a fista, it is more capricious than a home begonia: it gets used to one place and does not really like permutations, therefore, when choosing a corner for it, everything should be taken into account and foreseen.The best option for it would be the west and east sides of the house, and if shaded, the south. The most comfortable summer temperature for fista is 20-22 degrees Celsius, for home begonias - 22-25; in winter, the temperature for a red-leaved begonia should not fall below +15, otherwise it will die, and for a bright red begonia it should be + 15-18 degrees. If natural lighting is not enough, experts recommend creating an additional artificial one, but it must be borne in mind that moisture will evaporate more intensively under it.

As for the rest of the nuances of breeding - watering, fertilizing and other things - you should pay attention to the following:

1. bright red begonia needs watering more than fista. In spring and summer, home begonias should be watered as often as possible, but not flooded, to prevent stagnant water and root damage that may occur. It is necessary to choose such an irrigation regime so that between "sessions" the soil has time to dry to a depth of 1-2 cm. A young fista should be watered as the soil dries up, while an adult one should be watered once a week in the summer, and once every one and a half to two weeks in winter. More frequent watering will cause her to become infected with powdery mildew. For both flowers, it is necessary to use water at room temperature, best of all, settled.
2. different attitude of these plants to moisture. Both love her, both need increased (up to 60%) air humidity, but if the air near the fista can be sprayed as needed, then it is absolutely not recommended to do this with home begonia, otherwise its leaves will be covered with brown spots. In order to provide it with increased humidity, you just need to put a flowerpot with a flower on moss, wet peat, or place it in a shallow container with water. In both cases, the humidity level in the room with begonias should be controlled in both winter and summer.
3. both of these varieties should be protected from drafts by limiting the flow of fresh air to normal ventilation.
4. the question of feeding also has its own nuances. Fistu can be fed once a month with full mineral fertilizer. Liquid fertilizer for indoor plants is also suitable - however, during growth and flowering it will need to be used more often, about 3-4 times a month. All top dressing is applied along with watering. Fista also reacts well to organic matter - bird droppings at the rate of 0.5 kg. for 12 liters of water or rotted manure at a dosage of 0.5 kg. for 5 liters of water. In the autumn-winter period, the frequency of feeding can be reduced to 1 time per month. Some experts claim that such waste, unusual for indoor floriculture, as chopped banana peels and citrus peels, onion peels, tea leaves and even ash, can be added to the soil. For home begonias, this is categorically contraindicated, and it must be fertilized according to a slightly different schedule - 2 times a month with a full-fledged phosphorus-containing fertilizer for flowering indoor plants. Separately, it should be noted that the usual nitrogen fertilizer used when feeding some types of begonias, in the case of a bright red representative, is also not suitable: it will have a great effect on the leaves, but will slow down the flowering process.
5. when the dormant period comes, it is better not to disturb begonias and water it very rarely. If the fista drops all its leaves at this time, you can cut off the top and put it in the water until it takes root, but you can watch an adult plant - it is quite possible that new leaves will still bloom on it.

Royal begonia

There is another type of begonia, characterized by large unequal leaves with an oblique heart-shaped base, 15 to 25-30 cm long and 10-20 cm wide, and an unusually beautiful decorative color, smoothly changing from red to dark brown.This is a perennial royal begonia belonging to the ornamental-deciduous varieties. It was first discovered in 1856 in the Indian state of Assam in northeastern India, and since then this luxurious flower has been one of the first places in popularity among flower growers.

Royal begonia

Caring for him is almost no different from caring for the above-described varieties of begonias, however, as in their case, it has some nuances.

1. unlike home begonias and fista, this flower is able to tolerate shade, but at the same time it has a greater love of warmth than they do. It, like other representatives of the decorative-deciduous group of begonias, is rarely taken out of the room, since it does not withstand the sharp daily temperature fluctuations inherent in a temperate climate.
2. it should be sprayed with soft water, as hard water will cause white spots to appear. Spraying is often replaced by simply wiping the leaves with a soft, damp cloth while removing dust from them.
3. when feeding, it should be borne in mind that royal begonia needs nitrogen fertilizers as they have a beneficial effect on the growth, formation and appearance of leaves - their main wealth. It will also be useful to add well-rotted compost to the soil. The regularity of feeding depends on the growth of begonia - the more intense it is, the more often it needs to be fed.
4. royal begonia does not need pruning. If it has become too irregular during flowering, it should be cut to a height of about 4 cm above the level of the pot, and it will begin to grow again.
5. if you do not like the inflorescences of royal begonia or do not represent any aesthetic value in your eyes, experts recommend removing them - in this case, the forces of the plant will be directed to the formation of larger and brighter leaves.
6. the main enemy of this type of begonias is gray rot, but they fight it with the help of colloidal or powdery sulfur. Also, royal begonia can get sick with powdery mildew. To defeat it, you first need to reduce the humidity, then treat the flower with a complex fungicide, after making sure that it can be used at home.
7. of pests, begonia can be attacked by spider mites, aphids, mealybugs or whiteflies. Their appearance is a sign that the air is too dry. The main measure to combat them is to increase humidity; if this does not help, use an infusion of garlic, and with a high concentration of pests, insecticides.
8. royal begonia is propagated in the spring by leafy and stem cuttings, as well as by dividing the bush and root. For any method of reproduction, a substrate of one type is required: a mixture of sand with peat in a ratio of 3: 1. Cutting is best done at a temperature of 22-24 degrees Celsius; at the same temperature, stem cuttings root well in water. The best way to grow them is under a glass cover or plastic wrap.
9. reproduction by roots occurs as follows: free the rhizome from the ground, cut it into pieces with a sharp knife so that each has at least one bud or shoot with roots, cover the cuts with crushed coal, plant the cut pieces in pots with prepared soil and water.

Popular varieties

Tuberous begonias are one of the most fashionable, demanded and loved by flower growers.

Begonia Camelia Flora

The "Camellia Flora" has a compact bush, up to 20 cm high. Differs in unusual flowers of white-pink color. The color transition is smooth, it seems that a skilled artist has painted the flower with light strokes.

Pikoti Lace Apricot has large double flowers up to 10–20 cm in diameter and apricot in color. Numerous streaks, similar to strokes, stand out on the petals.

Terry "Marmorata" will also decorate the apartment. Its elegant variegated flowers resemble a carnation in shape. Scarlet stripes are streaked on a white background. The border of the petals is also bright red.

In the Japanese series "Nonstop" there are low plants up to 20 cm.The flowers are large, double up to 10 cm.

It is difficult to resist the begonia Elatior "Boris Dark". It reaches a height of 40 cm. Everything about it is attractive: double red flowers with a white border, glossy leaves of a rich green color. This perfect beauty is a worthy competitor to the Queen Rose.

Begonia Baladin

"Baladin" is another famous representative of Elatior begonias. Forms low bushes up to 30 cm tall. Lush bloom, double flowers are bright red.

Begonia "Lemoine" is the first variety from the Lorraine group of hybrids, bred in France at the end of the 19th century. The pink non-double flowers look modest and simple one by one, but together they look like a blooming garland. The embodiment of tenderness is the exact definition for this flower. All begonias of Lorraine hybrids bloom in winter.

Varieties and hybrids of ever-flowering begonias are universal. They are grown not only in pots in the room, on the balcony, but also in the open field, decorating gardens, parks, squares.

Sort series "Cocktail" - time-tested "veterans". Plants are not tall - only 20 cm, spherical in shape. The leaves are dark bronze in color, against their background, multi-colored flowers look contrasting. The German collection contains varieties with provocative names - white "Whiskey", pink "Gin", white-pink "Rum", light pink "Brandy", red "Vodka".

Begonia Dragon Wing

A popular variety series of hybrid begonias "Dragon Wing" (dragon wing). It is obtained as a result of crossing of ever-flowering begonias and blood-red begonias. It is valued for its long and abundant flowering. Bright flowers of red, pink, white color are collected in drooping inflorescences. The faded flowers fall off by themselves, so the plants always look well-groomed. The leaves are no less decorative - shiny, as if with a waxy bloom. They are not only green, but also red-brown.

The species with decorative leaves compete with flowering begonias.

Black Velvet leaves of Bauer's begonias with carved edges in deep dark green can appear almost black in light. Small flowers on long peduncles of pale pink color. They look like small glowing lights.

Rex begonia has the richest collection of varieties. The color of the leaves of "Mary Christmas" - variegated, consists of different colors: green, silver, crimson, brown.

"Escargo" has an unusual shape of the leaves, they look like a snail, one of the edges is twisted in a spiral. Coloring - dark green, with a wide silvery stripe in the center.

The leaves of the "Griffin" are green-pink, with carved edges. Their shape resembles pointed stars.

Miniature "Dollar Down" will fit in a small pot up to 10 cm in diameter. The leaves are twisted in a spiral, deep crimson color with a black border around the edges.

Begonia Iron Cross

Distinctive features of the Iron Cros variety of Begonia masoniana are large green leaves, in the central part the color is darker - green-brown, reminiscent of a Maltese cross. The texture of the leaves is similar to the skin of reptiles.

The beauty and variety of species have made begonias very popular with flower growers around the world. These natives of the tropics will be a wonderful decoration for your interior, but they will require attention and some care. How to care for begonias, read the article "Caring for a room begonia."

Begonia lovers are passionate people. These flowers make such a strong impression that once you start to collect the collection, it is impossible to stop.

For a closer look at the begonias, watch the video.

Photo gallery

Types of begonias

The genus begonias unites about two thousand species. Today there is no generally accepted classification. All the variety of varieties and hybrid forms are conventionally grouped according to different characteristics.

When growing begonias indoors, the following classification is common.

Decorative flowering potted begonias

This group includes plants with the most spectacular flowering.

Tuberous

Tuberous large-flowered begonias

The most luxurious flowers are tuberous begonias. Their "wax" flowers of bright juicy shades resemble camellias or large carnations. There are varieties of tuberous begonias with flowers 20-30 cm in size.

They combine large-flowered tuberous begonias, small-flowered tuberous begonias and drooping tuberous begonias.

These are plants with fleshy stems, up to 50 cm tall. Flowers - double or simple, of various colors. The diameter of flowers is 15–20 cm in large-flowered varieties, up to 5 cm in small-flowered begonia and up to 15 cm in drooping tuberous. Sharp leaves with serrated edges, 10-15 cm long. Long-lasting flowering from May to October. They can be grown both at home and in the garden (in this case, the tubers are dug up in early autumn and stored indoors until spring). These plants are propagated by daughter tubers. They have a dormant period when the aboveground part dries up completely.

Lorraine hybrids

Begonia Lorraine

They grow up to 50 cm and need support. The leaves are large, up to 8 cm wide, rounded. They bloom in winter, forming large inflorescences with small flowers up to 2.5 cm in diameter.

Elatior hybrids

Begonia Elatior

Obtained as a result of crossing tuberous and Socotranskaya begonias. Recently, they are gaining immense popularity. They are distinguished by beautiful flowers that abundantly cover the whole plant. With good care, they can bloom all year round.

Ornamental leafy begonias

Begonia bowerae

Decorative deciduous begonias are grown for the sake of beautiful leaves of different colors, their flowers are inconspicuous. This group includes such species as Begonia rex, Begonia feastii, Begonia bowerae, Begonia masoniana, metal begonia and others. These begonias are propagated by dividing the rhizomes or rooting the leaves. They are more demanding to care for than their flowering relatives, but among indoor plants, few can match them in beauty. And beauty, as you know, requires sacrifice.

Decorative flowering begonias

Coral begonia (Begonia corallina)

They do not bloom as effectively as tuberous begonias, but retain their leaves all year round. Plant height from 15 cm to 3 m. There are upright, ampelous and bushy species.

Bushy begonias are large plants that reach a height of two meters at home. These include: coral begonia (Begonia corallina), bright red begonia (Begonia coccinea), silver-speckled begonia (Begonia argenteo-guttata) and others. They grow quickly, have large, attractive leaves, are easy to care for and readily bloom indoors. The flowers of these begonias are 1 to 2 cm in size, they are collected in elegant white, pink or red inflorescences. Propagated by cuttings that take root easily.

The most popular of the bushy ones is ever-flowering begonia. Less common types include fuchsia begonia and Hage begonia. The largest representatives of upright species are bright red begonia and coral begonia. Gray leaf begonia of ampelous species is ideal for growing in pots and hanging baskets.

So different, but so similar flowers

... which are sometimes confused with each other, under the general term "red begonia".

We mean bright red begonia, belonging to the bushy variety of the family, and red-leaved begonia, which is also called "fista". By their example, it is easy to be convinced of the species richness and diversity of the entire flower family: indoor (or home) bright red begonia is a large plant with shiny smooth ovoid leaves and deep red inflorescences in the shape of a panicle.Red-leaved begonia, or fista, is in some way its opposite: it is no more than 25 cm in height and is distinguished by smooth, glossy shimmering bicolor oval-beveled leaves without pubescence and sometimes without a serrated edge. There are few plants in the world that have such an unusual leaf color as red-leaved begonia: from above they are painted in the dark green color familiar to our eyes, and from below - in red or burgundy. In width they reach 8-12 cm, in length - from 12 to 15 cm. In addition, red-leaved begonia attracts attention with miniature flowers of a delicate pink shade and short wide stems of emerald color, tightly pressed to the ground. Despite its modest size (it seems to be lost against the background of its large and lush counterparts, trying to take up as little space as possible), this flower has no less fans than its bright red sister.

Lighting and location

Ornamental deciduous varieties of begonias, like its other species, do not tolerate too high and low temperatures. In summer, the permissible temperature for plant growth and development is +25 ° C, in winter it is not more than -18 ° C. This flower prefers lighted places and it is recommended to place it where the sun is for a large amount of time. Direct rays should not be allowed, the plant needs diffused light.

Bright sunlight causes burns, leaves become pale, and the amount of green pigment increases. In the summer, she needs to create a shade, and when it is very hot, then remove it from the windowsill, put it in another bright room.

Important! The lack of lighting has a bad effect on the growth, development and variegation of foliage. Ornamental deciduous begonias do not like if they sharply change their location

But for uniform growth of foliage, it is advisable to slowly rotate the flower in relation to the light.

Landing conditions and basic rules

Suitable conditions for planting red-leaved fists depend on the season, suitable soil, and adequate temperature, humidity and sufficient lighting.

Optimal time of the year

The most optimal time of the year for planting fista is early spring, before or after flowering.

Did you know? In ancient times, leaves of begonias
warriors in the fieldpolished the blades of combat swords.

Pot and soil selection

In caring for a fista, the choice of a suitable flowerpot and soil is very important.

Here are the principles by which flowerpots and potting soil are chosen:

• a small container is suitable, preferably ceramic;
• the container for planting a flower should be 4 cm more in circumference than its root ball;
• suitable soil is purchased in specialized stores or prepared with your own hands (2 parts of deciduous soil + 1 part of compost, +1 part of a peat-sand mixture);
• it is necessary that the acidity of the earth composition correspond to the pH values ​​of 5.5–6.5.

Optimum temperature and humidity

The red-leaved beauty does not tolerate sharp temperature jumps, as well as drops in humidity indicators.

For begonias, acceptable indicators of comfort are:

• summer temperature of the content should not exceed + 20-23 ° С, and in winter - not lower than +16 ° С;
• year-round indicators of air humidity - 65%.

To maintain the desired level of humidity, containers are placed next to the flowerpots where water is poured, or the flowerpots with stands themselves are placed on a tray with wet expanded clay or moss. This is especially true in winter when heating devices are in operation.

Lighting

Fiste needs adequate lighting, but it should not be exposed to direct sunlight, as the leaves can get burned. Flowerpots are not placed on windowsills from the sunny side. If the begonia still needs to be placed in such a place, then partial shade is created for it using blinds. In winter, the lack of sunlight is compensated by the use of artificial lighting.Also, the plant needs a sufficient amount of air, so other flowers are not recommended to be placed too close to it.

Did you know? Fista seeds are among the smallest in the world. A small pinch can give life to three million seedlings.

Breeding features

Most often, two methods are used:

• Vegetative propagation using green cuttings. The properties of the mother plant are guaranteed to be preserved;
• Young ever-flowering begonia from seeds rarely matches the variety from which it was harvested. Flowering can be unpredictable.

Cuttings

Reproduction by cuttings is carried out in the summer, when young leaves are gaining strength. If begonia has wintered in a pot, the material is harvested in March.

The rooting method in both cases is the same and is done like this:

• Using a sharp knife, cut off a leaf with a stem;
• The upper part of the leaf blade is shortened by a third:
• The cut of the shoot is dipped in powder or rooting gel, and placed in a peat-sandy substrate to a depth of 1 cm;
• The planting is sprayed with water and covered with a transparent film or plastic bag;
• Placed in a warm place with diffused light;
• When young leaves appear, the plant is transplanted into dive cassettes or disposable cups.

Important! Begonia is transferred to flower pots after a month and a half.

The subtleties of seed propagation

It is not difficult to grow begonia from seeds if you know the features of the process.

• Potting soil is best suited for sowing seedlings.
• You will also need a box or other container, 5 - 7 cm high.
• Begonia seeds are so tiny they are called dust-like seeds. To cope with them when sowing, it is necessary to mix with a small amount of sand, then it is easier to distribute them evenly.
• Sowing should not be watered, otherwise the water will move the grains from their place.
• The box is covered with glass so that a gap forms between the walls and the cover. The structure is placed under a slight slope so that the condensate drains behind the box and does not fall on the sowing, otherwise the seeds will rot.
• Germinated seedlings dive at the stage of two leaves, and are transplanted into pots with three or four germinated plates, without waiting for them to fully unfold.

Growing begonias from seeds is not as troublesome as it might seem at first glance. Observing simple rules, it is quite possible to get a successful result.

Photo

You will see a photo of the flower:

Home care

Home care for begonia includes the organization of regular feeding, optimal watering and timely pruning and transplanting.

Special attention should be paid to the plant during the cold period. ... Top dressing

Top dressing

Fistu is fed according to the following rules:

• apply top dressing in the form of liquid complex mineral fertilizers twice a month - they are added during watering (the drug must be mixed with warm water);
• it is permissible to feed chicken dung (0.5 kg per bucket of water), manure (500 g per 5 l of water);
• in the cold period, the flower is fed once a month.

Watering

Watering the red-leaved fista is carried out with softened settled water, after each removing excess liquid from the pallets.

We recommend that you learn more about the features of growing such types of begonias: Cleopatra, royal, ever-flowering, coral,.

It is important to moisturize the plant according to the following principles:

• in the summer, watering is carried out four times a month;
• during high temperatures, the soil in the flowerpot is moistened every day;
• from the middle of autumn, watering is carried out after the top layer of soil in the pot has dried;
• in cold weather, it is not recommended to water begonia often, giving it a rest;
• in March, the frequency of watering is gradually increased.

How to prune and replant correctly

Since begonias grow very quickly, their stems are able to stretch strongly, as a result of which the leaves become smaller, flowering stops and the plants lose their decorative effect.To avoid this, it is recommended to prune the flowers in a timely manner.

Important! It is not recommended to use scissors when trimming the fist, as this tool severely injures the plant.

The fist is cut according to the following rules:

• the first pruning is carried out when the stems reach 8 cm, giving the plant a bush, standard, spherical or pyramidal shape;
• after pruning, it is necessary to reduce watering until the plant begins to actively grow again;
• the next pruning is carried out at the tops of the lateral shoots when they reach 12 cm in length (the procedure awakens the lateral buds);
• in the future, they monitor the condition of the bush, removing dried leaves or branches, as well as shoots growing inside the flower;
• trimming must be done with an exceptionally sharp tool (knife, scalpel);
• the place of each cut should be treated with coal dust or wood ash (to avoid rotting and to speed up the healing process).

Video: Why cut indoor plants

To carry out a transplant, the following actions are required:

• the transplant is carried out in March, every 3-4 years;
• vases are chosen not deep, 3 cm more than the previous ones;
• the plants are carefully taken out of the flowerpots along with an earthen lump;
• a layer of expanded clay and coarse sand (2 cm) is poured into a new flowerpot;
• the bush is placed in the center of the flowerpot and sprinkled with an earthen mixture;
• after transplanting, the flower is watered abundantly.

Important! It is permissible to replant young begonias every 6 months, since frequent changes are good
on theminfluence - they are actively growing.

Possible problems

During the cultivation of red-leaved begonia, there is the possibility of some health problems.

Diseases

Begonia bushes are sometimes subject to various infectious and non-infectious diseases.

Here is some of them:

1. Powdery mildew or downy mildew. A disease in which the leaves and stems are covered with small specks, powdered with whitish powdery powder. In the process of disease progression, the spots increase, become brownish, parts of plants dry out with large affected areas, the leaves fall off, the whole plant becomes inconspicuous. Powdery fungi are the cause of the disease. Control methods: regular watering, ventilation, adequate lighting, avoidance of sudden temperature changes; destruction of all diseased and dried parts of the plant; spraying with manganese-sour potassium (2.5 g per 10 l of water), soda ash with soap (50 g of soda + 40 g of soap + 10 l of water), a mixture of antibiotics (100 units / ml of terramycin + 100 units / ml of penicillin + 250 U / ml streptomycin); application of fungicides (Topaz 100 KE 0.03%, Anvil 5 SK 0.06%, Folikur 250 KE 0.05%, Rubigan 12 KE 0.03%, etc.).

   

2. Gray rot. The disease begins with the coating of the leaves with grayish sticky spots. As the spots progress, the spots increase in size, after which the leaves and shoots rot. Excessive humidity is the cause of the disease. To save plants it is necessary to: adjust the humidity level in the room; establish optimal watering; remove diseased leaves; spray healthy leaves with Euparen (0.1%) or Fundazol (0.1%) solutions.
3. Black root rot. The roots of begonias are affected - they acquire a brown or burgundy color. Shoots and leaves are affected, after which they begin to turn black. The disease appears due to excessive moisture and poor drainage, resulting in stagnation of moisture in the pot. It is possible to save the fista only by removing its affected roots.

   

4. Bacterial spotting. The inner part of the leaves is affected by a small, vitreous and watery spot. In the future, the spots acquire a brownish tint, and spread to the entire bush, which is why it dies. This violation is not treated - the bushes are destroyed, and the earthen mixture is disinfected. To prevent damage, the bushes are periodically irrigated with a 0.5% copper oxychloride suspension.
5. Ring spot. The disease is characterized by the appearance on the entire bush of concentric stripes and spots, necrotic zones. The reason is the presence of the tomato virus carried by the parasite flukes. Any treatment for the disorder is ineffective, since it has the ability to manifest itself in the future. Therefore, the diseased plant is destroyed in order to avoid spreading the infection to other flowers.

Pests

The red-leaved fista is often attacked by various parasites, which is why the culture does not develop well and loses its decorative effect.

Among them:

1. Greenhouse aphid. Yellow, sometimes green wingless parasites up to 2.5 mm in length. Damage is caused by adult insects and their larvae: by sucking juices from the lower part of the leaves, they contribute to their yellowing, suspension in the development of buds and shedding of flowers. Control measures: in the apartment the plants are sprayed with 4% soap solution of laundry soap, in the greenhouse the same solution and 0.15% benzophosphate solution are used; Insecticides "Actellik" (0.1%), benzophosphate (0.1%) and 0.05% solution of "Selekron" will give a good effect.

   

2. Greenhouse thrips. Thrips is a dark brown sucking parasite 1.5 mm long. Damaging a flower, the pest makes it colorless, with yellowed leaves, deforms, contributes to a stop in development. They fight it in this way: they irrigate the bushes with a disinfectant (100 g of celandine or tobacco decoction per 1 liter of water) or spray them with soapy water; in the greenhouse, plants are pollinated with pyrethrum, irrigated with 0.1% benzophosphate solution or 0.1–0.15% hostaquik solution.
3. Leaf nematoda. The worm parasitizes on leaves, stems and buds. Promotes the appearance of greenish spots on the leaves, which subsequently become brownish. The shoots at the top are deformed, and the flower dies. Warm and rainy seasons, as well as light soil, are favorable conditions for parasites. Control measures: with a small lesion, use a solution of "Heterophos" 0.2%, with an extensive one - the plants are destroyed.

   

4. Gallic nematoda. The described nematode parasitizes in the root system and at the bottom of the shoots, forming swellings and outgrowths containing larvae on them. Subsequently, the growths burst, and the larvae affect the entire root system, because of which it begins to rot. Control measures: remove affected roots and stems; water with a solution of "Heterophos" 0.2% at the root (1 liter of solution per 1 sq. m).

Important! Using chemicals in the destruction of pests on begonias, it is necessary to protect the respiratory tract with a gauze bandage or respirator and strictly adhere to the annotation to the drugs. After applying chemicals, it is necessary to wet the room, and then wash and wash your hands.

Thus, the decorative appearance of begonias depends solely on the skillful actions of the grower: moderate watering, complex fertilizing, timely pruning, as well as the right measures to combat diseases and pests. Subject to all the necessary recommendations described above, the red-leaved flower will harmoniously decorate the interior of any room.

Reproduction

Ampel begonias are propagated by seeds, cuttings, and dividing tubers. The seeds are planted at the end of February. For granulated seeds, peat tablets are used as soil. They are laid out on a pallet and moistened abundantly. Seeds are sown and sprayed with room water. Cover with polyethylene. Moisturize regularly.

Ordinary seeds are sown in boxes in non-acidic soil with drainage. Store in a bright room at a temperature of + 22-24 degrees.

Propagation by cuttings:

1. Cutting and preparing the stems.
2. Removing excess leaves and drying the sections.
3. Placing the shoots in a vessel of room temperature water.
4. Planting in pots after the roots appear.

For reproduction by dividing the tuber, it is cut into several parts so that each slice has a developed shoot. Sections are treated with charcoal and dried within 24 hours. Then they are planted in a container.Observing the elementary rules of care, even a novice gardener is able to grow an ampelous begonia.

The main conditions are the choice of a bright place with protection from direct sun, regular watering without waterlogging, prevention of diseases and the appearance of pests.

Planting Fista

Planting Red-leaved should be done in spring before or after flowering. The root system does not go far into the soil - it grows over wide distances over the soil. Therefore, planting should be done in flat containers. Plastic pots work well. It is not recommended to use wood or metal material, as with abundant watering, the tree dries up, and the metal begins to rust. Compost soil is best for planting. The soil is mixed in equal proportions with mineral fertilizers, peat or compost. Sometimes leafy earth or sand is added.
It is forbidden to compact the soil tightly, the soil must be loose and breathable.

Types of terry begonias

By the nature of the underground part of the terry begonias, there are tuberous and bushy ones. The aboveground part of the plants also differs, some begonias grow vertically in the form of a bush, while others are ampelous.

The largest and most beautiful flowers are found in tuberous begonias, their size varies from 1.5 cm to 15-20 cm. The color of flowers of such terry begonias is red, white, yellow. Flowers with different color edges at the petals are possible. Sometimes begonia flowers have a scent.

Ampel begonias are attractive in that they, like other ampelous plants, have the ability to hang, are able to braid a support or lattice. They bloom very profusely, although the size of the flowers is not as large as that of bush plants. There are large-flowered species with a flower size of 10-15 cm and small-flowered ones - up to 5 cm. They mainly bloom in spring, but some varieties bloom in summer.

Useful properties of the plant

Begonia is valuable both for its decorativeness and useful qualities due to the presence of the following substances in it:

• phytoncides;
• oxalic acid;
• tannins;
• organic acids.

Did you know? Begonia nodules are good for eating: they taste good and resemble citruses.

The plant has the following effects:

• helps to cleanse and improve indoor air (destroys staphylococcus);
• enhances immunity;
• helps in dealing with stressful situations;
• relieves stress and fatigue;
• increases efficiency;
• improves mood;
• increases mental alertness;
• has anti-allergic properties;
• serves as an antiseptic;
• heals wounds;
• relieves spasms;
• absorbs chemicals;
• retains dust particles on the sheets;
• increases air humidity;
• reduces the level of electromagnetic radiation from computers and household appliances.

Pests and diseases

Terry begonia is sensitive to violation of recommendations for care and planting. Can be susceptible to disease and pest infestation.

• White bloom on the leaves may indicate powdery mildew. In this case, it is necessary to remove the damaged leaves and treat with a fungicide. Ventilate the room more often. Begonia does not like a stuffy room.
• If clots form on the leaves and stick to the hands, the flower damages the aphids. Treatment with celandine infusion or onion broth helps well from it.
• A thin spider web indicates a spider mite lesion. He often appears in an apartment with dry air. Install a humidifier and ventilate the room more often. Wash the plant with a damp sponge. You can soak a cotton ball in soapy water and carefully collect the cobweb. In case of severe damage, insecticide treatment will be required.
• The plant can be damaged by gray rot (especially when grown in greenhouses, greenhouses). High temperature with high humidity is a favorable environment for its occurrence. on the tops of the shoots, flowers and leaves, white watery spots with a grayish bloom are formed. They soon turn to brown rot.The stems rot, the leaves curl and turn black. The method of struggle is spraying with 1% Bordeaux liquid.

Other problems:

• If begonia leaves begin to curl, old leaves may be dying off. This is a normal physiological process.
• If the leaves curl and darken, the begonias are lacking in nutrients.
• Fallen and darkened leaves are the result of water ingress on them or too dry indoor air. Flowers can also begin to fall off if water gets on them during watering.

Terry begonia is preferred by many growers

It attracts attention with its decorative appearance and charming long flowering. If you decide to grow it at home, be sure to read the basic care guidelines.

Begonia is a sensitive flower, demanding attention and care. But, work will be rewarded! If you give her your care, she will delight you for a long time and will become a real decoration of your home!

Epilogue

Begonia took a long time to become popular. They were not well received in all countries: for example, in Victorian England, begonia symbolized dark thoughts of a person and dangerous pleasures. Nowadays, all such prejudices are a thing of the past, and begonias are grown with great pleasure in private houses and city apartments. Despite the exactingness of the conditions of detention, begonias - including those that are called "red" - are considered plants capable of adapting to any environment. They can endure short-term difficulties, but at the same time they very willingly respond to proper care, delighting their owners with an unusual decorative look and flowering that amazes the eye.

Varieties of ever-flowering begonia

Tall varieties

The group includes hybrids, the length of the stems of which is 35 - 50 cm. The size and color of leaves and flowers is determined by the result of selection.

There are such varieties:

• Stara F1 - leaf blades are dark with a reddish tint, flowers are white or pink.
• Lotto F1 is distinguished by large, bright green leaves 6 cm in diameter and flowers of white, pale pink, raspberry or red color.

Attention! The symbol "F 1" characterizes the complexity of hybridization. Often seeds harvested from such plants give unlike maternal properties.

For their reproduction, it is better to use the vegetative method - cuttings.

Medium-sized representatives of begonias

They are characterized by a height of 20 - 25 cm, which allows them to be grown in pots with a diameter of 10 - 12 cm.

More often than others they are planted:

• Ambassador F1, under this name hybrids of seven shades of flowers have united.
• Vision F1 includes several large-leafed varieties with flowers in five tones.

Low-growing or dwarf varieties

They grow up to a maximum of 20 cm, have small leaves and a variety of flower colors. Briefly about such representatives:

Name	Average height, cm	Leaves	Flowers	Pot diameter, cm
Eureka F1	15	Bronze red	Scarlet	9 — 10

Name	Average height, cm	Leaves	Flowers	Pot diameter, cm
Queen f1	16 — 20	Small - 5 cm	Terry, pink shades	10 — 11

Name	Average height, cm	Leaves	Flowers	Pot diameter, cm
Cocktail F1	12 — 15	Red-brown	White, pink, red	8 — 10

Description of the appearance of a houseplant

The outer surface of a glossy sheet, and the back has a reddish or burgundy tint. Begonia Fista grows in a lush but compact bush, so it looks very good in a small pot. Adult plants grow no more than 25 cm in height. The features of this type of plant are:

• catchy appearance;
• undemanding care;
• the possibility of good development under artificial lighting;
• small size.

Fista begonia is prized for the rare appearance of the leaves. Blooms in small pink inflorescences.

Reproduction

Fista propagates only by cuttings and leaves, while propagation by cuttings, seeds and dividing the bush is suitable for bright red begonias. The best time for breeding is early spring, when begonia begins to emerge from dormancy.

Fista propagation by cuttings is as follows:

1. cut a 6-9 cm long stalk from the root system and dip it into a preparation that helps good rooting.
2. it is planted in a pot with a diameter of no more than 10 cm with a moist sandy-peat substrate and drainage holes.
3. covered with a glass jar and placed in a warm room with abundant but diffused sunlight.
4. two weeks later they are fed with fertilizers, and after a month the jar is removed and watered abundantly.

The method of deciduous propagation looks like this: the leaf is cut with a knife along the large veins on the reverse side, then it is placed on a substrate, strengthened with small pebbles so that the surface of the leaf adheres tightly to the ground, and placed in a warm place. Over time, roots are formed at the cuts, and small seedlings are formed on the upper side of the leaf.

Homemade begonia is propagated by cuttings in the following sequence:

1. cut off several cuttings with 3-5 leaves.
2. after processing the sections with crushed coal, they are planted in a leaf-peat-sandy substrate (all components must be taken in equal parts).
3. for a month, while the cuttings take root, water them, maintain the temperature of +20 degrees and high humidity of the air and soil, and shade from the sun.
4. a month later, when the seedlings take root, they are planted in separate pots with a similar substrate.

The most time consuming way to reproduce bright red begonias is by seed. They are sown in February-March directly on the surface of the soil, without sprinkling it with earth, then the container with them is placed on the windowsill and covered with glass. Watering is carried out from a spray bottle or from a saucer, maintaining the temperature at 20-25 degrees Celsius. Seedlings dive twice - when the third leaf appears and after 1.5 - 2 months - each time replanting more and more sparsely: first - in small boxes, then - in separate flowerpots.

Finally, home begonia, as a well-bushy plant that forms a large number of stems with separate roots, can also be propagated with the help of a bush. If her roots are little intertwined and divide well, you can separate them with your hands; if the roots are intertwined, then the lump with them is carefully cut into the required number of parts and, having been planted in separate pots, are placed in warm and well-lit places for quick rooting.

Reproduction methods

The described plants are bred in several ways:

• cuttings;
• seeds;
• separation of bushes or rhizomes.

Cuttings

The plant is divided into cuttings according to the following technology:

1. Cuttings (10 cm) are cut from the roots with a sharp knife, leaving 2-3 buds on each. Extra leaves are removed, too large are divided in half.
2. The slices of each of the cuttings are allowed to dry out a little, after which they are treated with an agent that promotes rooting (for example, "Kornevin").
3. The workpieces are rooted in vermiculite or a sand-peat mixture, and a transparent cap in the form of a greenhouse is put on top.
4. The cuttings are kept in a warm place, in the light, they are regularly watered.
5. After 2 weeks, watering is combined with fertilizer.
6. Within a month, the cuttings take root, and then the caps are removed from them and provide them with abundant watering.

Seed

Seed propagation technology for begonias:

1. Planting material is sown on February days in a prepared planting container. A potting soil consisting of peat, sand and leafy earth is used.
2. Glass is placed on top of the container with seeds, after which it is placed in a warm room.
3. The seeds are watered with a drop method.
4. A week later, sprouts appear, which are gradually hardened in the environment, briefly removing the glass.
5. After two weeks, all sprouts are seated in separate cups.
6. After 3-4 weeks, each seedling is transplanted into a separate pot.

Dividing a bush or rhizome

Fista propagation by dividing bushes or roots is done in the following way:

1. In the first days of spring, the flowers are removed from the pots, carefully divide the bushes or their root system into separate parts with a sharp knife.
2. Remove old shoots and flowers as well as large leaves.
3. Each division must have at least one kidney.
4. Each cut is treated with wood ash.
5. All the cuttings are planted in a prepared soil mixture and watered well.
6. Vases with young plants are placed in a well-lit room with a temperature of +20 ° C.

What does begonia look like

The species diversity of begonias is reflected in its appearance: these are both herbaceous plants and erect shrubs of meter growth with extensive or tuberous rhizomes. Many types of southern beauties are grown both at home and in the garden.

The leaves of the tropican are asymmetric, they are whole, divided, with wavy or jagged edges. Usually the top of the leaf is green, often with various patterns in the form of strokes, spots or geometric shapes. Below the leaves are red, brown or dark purple, sometimes they are fleecy, can be glossy or velvety.

Begonia inflorescences are complex, they include male and female flowers, triangular fruit with small seeds. Flowers amaze with an abundance of bright colors - from white to dark red. They come in a variety of sizes, simple and complex, terry, solid or multi-colored edging. Garden begonias bloom from summer to late autumn, while domestic begonias bloom almost all year round.

Description and characteristics of the plant

There are more than a thousand subspecies in the genus of begonia. Plants are suitable for planting in flowerpots and open beds. The culture blooms in summer and autumn, and indoor plants - almost by the beginning of winter.

Fista grows in various ways:

• like creeping grass;
• in the form of a tall erect bush;
• like a shrub.

In the table, we provide a description of the appearance of begonias:

Root system	branched; fibrous; tuberous
Stem	prone to lodging, with nodules; short, erect, knotty
Leaf shape	asymmetric; leaves are whole or split into several segments, with a serrated or wavy edge
Leaf color	in the upper part, they are painted in an even green tone, as well as in various tones with a geometric pattern, interspersed and strokes; at the bottom, the leaves are reddish, brownish or deep purple
Flower shape	inflorescences consisting of small, medium or large flowers (simple, double, camellia)
Flower color	plain (pink, red, yellow, orange, white); framed in various shades.

Content

• 1 Title
• 2 Botanical description
• 3 Reproduction
• 4 Care
• 5 Origin and geographical distribution
• 6 Use in ornamental gardening 6.1 History of garden culture
• 6.2 Decorative use

7 Diseases

8 Pests

8.1 Garden classification

9 Botanical classification

10 In astronomy

11 Notes

12 Literature

13 References

Excerpt from Begonia

- How where? I send it under g 'lists! - suddenly blushing, cried Denisov. - And I will boldly say that there is not a single person on my conscience. Is it tough for you to send tg'idtsat, tg'sta man under escort in gog'od, than to mage, I pg'yamo say, the honor of a soldier. - Here's a young count at sixteen to say these courtesies decently, - Dolokhov said with a cold grin, - but it's time for you to leave that. “Well, I’m not saying anything, I’m just saying that I will certainly go with you,” Petya said timidly. “And it's time for you and me, brother, to give up these courtesies,” Dolokhov continued, as if he found particular pleasure in talking about this subject, which annoyed Denisov. - Well, why did you take this? He said, shaking his head. - Then why do you feel sorry for him? After all, we know your receipts. You will send them a hundred people, and thirty will come. They will die of hunger or beaten. So is it all the same not to take them? Esaul, screwing up his bright eyes, nodded his head approvingly. - It's all g'avno, there is nothing to argue. I don’t want to take on my soul. You say - will help. Well, hog'sho. If only not from me. Dolokhov laughed. - Who didn't tell them to catch me twenty times? But they will catch me and you, with your chivalry, all the same on the aspen. He paused.- However, we must do the job. Send my Cossack with a pack! I have two French uniforms. Well, are we going with me? - he asked Petya. - I? Yes, yes, certainly, ”Petya cried, blushing almost to tears, glancing at Denisov. Again, while Dolokhov was arguing with Denisov about what to do with the prisoners, Petya felt awkward and haste; but again he did not have time to understand well what they were talking about. “If big, famous people think so, then it must be so, so it’s good,” he thought. - And most importantly, Denisov must not dare to think that I will obey him, that he can command me. I will certainly go with Dolokhov to the French camp. He can, and I can. " To all Denisov's convictions not to go, Petya replied that he, too, was used to doing everything neatly, and not at random by Lazar, and that he never thought about danger to himself. - Because, - you must agree yourself, - if you do not know correctly how many there are, life depends on it, maybe hundreds, and here we are alone, and then I really want this, and I will certainly, I will definitely go, you will not hold me back - he said, - it will only get worse ... Having dressed in French greatcoats and shako, Petya and Dolokhov drove to the clearing from which Denisov was looking at the camp, and, leaving the forest in complete darkness, went down into the hollow. Having driven down, Dolokhov ordered the Cossacks accompanying him to wait here and rode at a large trot along the road to the bridge. Petya, freezing with excitement, rode beside him. “If we get caught, I won’t give myself up alive, I have a gun,” Petya whispered. "Don't speak Russian," Dolokhov said in a quick whisper, and at that very moment in the darkness a call was heard: "Qui vive?" [Who's coming?] And the clang of the gun. The blood rushed to Petya's face, and he grabbed the pistol. - Lanciers du sixieme, [Lancers of the 6th regiment.] - said Dolokhov, not shortening or adding to the horse's speed. The black figure of the sentry stood on the bridge. - Mot d'ordre? [Feedback?] - Dolokhov held the horse back and started walking. - Dites donc, le colonel Gerard est ici? [Tell me, is Colonel Gerard here?] He said. - Mot d'ordre! - Without answering, said the sentry, blocking the road. - Quand un officier fait sa ronde, les sentinelles ne demandent pas le mot d'ordre ... - Dolokhov shouted, suddenly flushing, running over the sentry with his horse. - Je vous demande si le colonel est ici? [When the officer goes around the chain, the sentries do not ask for feedback ... I ask if the colonel is here?] And, without waiting for an answer from the straying sentry, Dolokhov walked up the hill at a step. Noticing the black shadow of a man crossing the road, Dolokhov stopped this man and asked where the commander and officers were? This man, with a sack on his shoulder, a soldier, stopped, approached Dolokhov's horse, touching it with his hand, and simply and amiably told that the commander and officers were higher on the mountain, on the right side, in the yard of the farm (as he called the master's manor). Having passed along the road, on both sides of which the French dialect sounded from the fires, Dolokhov turned into the courtyard of the manor house. Having passed through the gate, he dismounted from his horse and walked over to a large, blazing fire, around which several people were sitting, talking loudly. Something was boiling in a pot on the edge, and a soldier in a cap and a blue greatcoat, kneeling, brightly lit by fire, was stirring in it with a ramrod. - Oh, c'est un dur a cuire, [You can't get along with this devil.] - said one of the officers sitting in the shade on the opposite side of the fire. - Il les fera marcher les lapins ... [He will go through them ...] - another said with a laugh. Both fell silent, peering into the darkness at the sound of Dolokhov and Petya's footsteps approaching the fire with their horses. - Bonjour, messieurs! [Hello, gentlemen!] Dolokhov said loudly, clearly. The officers stirred in the shadow of the fire, and one, a tall officer with a long neck, avoiding the fire, went up to Dolokhov. - C'est vous, Clement? - he said. - D'ou, diable ... [Is that you, Clement? Where the hell ...] - but he did not finish, having learned his mistake, and, slightly frowning, as if he were a stranger, he greeted Dolokhov, asking him how he could serve. Dolokhov said that he and his comrade were catching up with their regiment, and asked, addressing everyone in general, if the officers knew anything about the sixth regiment. Nobody knew anything; and it seemed to Petya that the officers began to examine him and Dolokhov with hostility and suspicion. Everyone was silent for a few seconds.- Si vous comptez sur la soupe du soir, vous venez trop tard, [If you are counting on dinner, then you are late.] - said with a restrained laugh the voice from behind the fire. Dolokhov replied that they were full and that they had to go on at night. He handed the horses over to the soldier in the bowler hat and squatted down by the fire next to the long-necked officer. This officer, without taking his eyes off, looked at Dolokhov and asked him again: what kind of regiment was he? Dolokhov did not answer, as if he had not heard the question, and, lighting a short French pipe, which he took out of his pocket, he asked the officers how safe was the road from the Cossacks ahead of them. - Les brigands sont partout, [These robbers are everywhere.] - the officer answered from behind the fire. Dolokhov said that the Cossacks are terrible only for such backward ones as he and his comrade, but that the Cossacks probably did not dare to attack large detachments, he added inquiringly. Nobody answered anything. "Well, now he will leave," Petya thought every minute, standing in front of the fire and listening to his conversation. But Dolokhov began the conversation that had stopped again and began directly asking how many people they had in the battalion, how many battalions, how many prisoners. Asking about the Russian prisoners who were with their detachment, Dolokhov said: - La vilaine affaire de trainer ces cadavres apres soi. Vaudrait mieux fusiller cette canaille, [It's a bad thing to carry these corpses with you. It would be better to shoot this bastard.] - and laughed loudly with such a strange laugh that it seemed to Petya that the French would now recognize the deception, and he involuntarily stepped back a step from the fire. No one answered Dolokhov's words and laughter, and the French officer, whom he could not see (he was lying wrapped in his greatcoat), got up and whispered something to his comrade. Dolokhov got up and called the soldier with the horses. "Will the horses be served or not?" - thought Petya, involuntarily approaching Dolokhov. The horses were served. - Bonjour, messieurs, [Here: goodbye, gentlemen.] - said Dolokhov. Petya wanted to say bonsoir [good evening] and could not finish the word. The officers were whispering something to each other. Dolokhov sat for a long time on a horse that did not stand; then he walked out of the gate at a step. Petya rode beside him, wanting and not daring to look back to see whether the French were running or not running after them. Having left on the road, Dolokhov drove not back into the field, but along the village. At one point he stopped, listening. - Do you hear? - he said. Petya recognized the sounds of Russian voices, saw the dark figures of Russian prisoners by the fires. Going down to the bridge, Petya and Dolokhov passed the sentry, who, without saying a word, walked gloomily across the bridge, and drove into a hollow where the Cossacks were waiting. - Well, now goodbye. Tell Denisov that at dawn, at the first shot, ”Dolokhov said and wanted to drive, but Petya grabbed him with his hand. - Not! - he cried, - you are such a hero. Oh, how good! How wonderful! How I love you. - Good, good, - said Dolokhov, but Petya did not let him go, and in the darkness Dolokhov saw that Petya was bending over to him. He wanted to kiss. Dolokhov kissed him, laughed and, turning his horse, disappeared into the darkness. X Returning to the guardhouse, Petya found Denisov in the entryway. Denisov, agitated, worried and annoyed with himself that he had let Petya go, was expecting him. - Thank God! He shouted. - Well, thank God! - he repeated, listening to Petya's enthusiastic story. - And why take you, because of you I didn’t sleep! - said Denisov. - Well, thank God, now go to bed. We'll go up to utg again. - Yes ... No, - said Petya. “I don’t feel like sleeping yet. Yes, I know myself, if I fall asleep, it’s over. And then I got used to not sleeping before the battle. Petya sat for a while in the hut, joyfully recalling the details of his trip and vividly imagining what would happen tomorrow. Then, noticing that Denisov fell asleep, he got up and went into the yard. It was still completely dark outside. The rain had passed, but drops were still falling from the trees. Close to the guardhouse, the black figures of Cossack huts and horses tied together could be seen. Behind the hut were two wagons with horses, and a dying fire blushed in the ravine. The Cossacks and hussars were not all asleep: in some places one could hear, together with the sound of falling drops and the close sound of horses chewing, quiet, as if whispering voices.

Diseases of the red type

If begonias have little space, the room is not ventilated, or moisture collects on the leaves and stems, powdery mildew may develop, but this should not be allowed.If a plant is damaged by a monilial burn, it is necessary to remove all infected parts, apply fungicides. As a result of excessive moistening of the earth, root rot can develop, which can destroy the plant. Leaves that are not rubbed can accumulate dust and dirt, resulting in a mealybug. But with proper care, all of these troubles can be avoided.

Coral begonia

In this species, both leaves and flowers have decorative value. This is what explains its popularity. The homeland of coral begonias, as well as ever-flowering ones, is Brazil. This is an upright, fairly high (up to one meter) variety. Its green leaves with interesting white and silvery dots on the bottom turn red in summer. This is what determined the name of the coral begonia. This variety is also considered quite unpretentious. The only thing is that owners of coral begonia should not forget about watering.

Tiger variety

The homeland of the room tiger begonias is the tropics, and therefore, like all other species, it loves abundant watering and diffused bright sunlight. She is a hybrid of the famous beauty - Bauer's begonias. Its main distinguishing feature is very large leaves of rich green color with effectively located brown or light green spots. Like the royal begonia, the flowers of this variety are of no decorative value. Therefore, it is recommended to pluck them.

Diseases and pests

The flower can get sick with root and gray rot. Root rot affects the roots of the plant. They turn brown or burgundy. The disease can not be seen immediately. Therefore, blackening of the stems and leaves of the Red-leaved is permissible. Begonia can only be saved from this disease by removing the infected root system. To prevent such a disease, do not flood the plant and use a good drainage system. Gray mold appears as mold. The fungus easily subsides when the plant is turned in the other direction. When the disease starts, the leaves darken and crumble. The cause of this disease too high humidity and poor ventilation of the room. Mealybugs may appear from pests. It manifests itself in the form of rough bundles in the leaf sinuses. Usually, the nest of such a pest is located at the bottom of the leafy red plate. Because of its fluffy webs, the mealybug is called the hairy aphid. A pest starts with a large accumulated dust and dirt.

The leaves of the plant must be kept clean.

Fista has beautiful bright leaves.

Does not tolerate drafts and direct sunlight.

Often suffers from root rot when the trunk of the plant turns black. Possesses miniature pale pink flowers. Blooms from December to June.

There are a lot of begonias. On our site there are articles about decorative deciduous species and about their care, as well as about begonias of the Bauer, Mason, Borchevikolistnaya, Cleopatra, Royal, Spotted, Vorotnichkovaya varieties.

Features of winter care

Winter Red-leaved needs special care. The room temperature must not drop below 15 ° C. In case of lack of sun, it is recommended to use artificial light. Air humidity should be increased throughout the year. The air around the plant is sprayed with settled water. Watering is reduced to once every one and a half to two weeks. The ground is loosened well until good air permeability is created. Top dressing is reduced to once a month. To avoid freezing, the flower is protected from drafts and winds. At the onset of a state of rest, it is not recommended to touch the Fista.

Properties

Begonias contain insoluble salts of ethanedionic acid. They can cause burns and other damage to the oral cavity, make it difficult to swallow, and provoke vomiting. The plant tubers are the most toxic part.

A particular danger is the species Begonia-Semperflorens.All parts of this plant are toxic, so ingesting them or allowing contact with the skin is prohibited.

Begonia spp is also a poisonous species.

To keep your kids and pets safe, keep the plant out of reach. Ingested in high concentrations can cause an allergic reaction, vomiting and burns of the mucous membranes.

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Homeland of room begonia

The main distribution area of ​​this plant in the wild is the tropics and subtropics of Africa, Asia and America. Most begonias grow in dense, moist forests. However, you can find it high in the mountains, and on rocks, and even on other plants. Unfortunately, nothing is known about where it was first found. There is only a legend according to which the monk Plushier brought begonia from the island of Haiti in the 17th century. Since the expedition was organized by the then famous collector of rare plants, Governor Begon, a new exotic flower was named in his honor.

So, let's assume that the homeland of room begonia is the sunny island of Haiti. What are the features of this plant and which varieties are the most popular? Let's take a closer look at this.

Botanical description

Among begonias, there are annual and perennial grasses, shrubs (occasionally climbing) or shrubs with a creeping or tuberous thickened rhizome, sometimes with a tuber. Leaves are usually asymmetrical, often beautifully colored (especially in cultivated species). Flowers are irregular, unisexual, monoecious. Tepals are unequal, brightly colored; the fruit is a box.

History of origin

The genus Begonia has about 1400 species, which can be found in humid subtropical and tropical zones, and more specifically in the forests of South America, the tropics of Asia, Madagascar, China and Sri Lanka. These flowers are known all over the world. They are named after the Frenchman Michel Begon, who became the organizer and sponsor of the expedition to the Antilles.

One of the expedition members Charles Plumier described in detail the plant found. In the 18th century, Begonia was brought to the European continent. Over time, more and more new species came to Europe, which breeders began to become interested in. And already in the 19th century, many varieties of artificially created plants appeared.

On our site you will find a number of articles that provide detailed descriptions and recommendations for growing, reproducing and caring for such plant varieties: Metallic, Mason, Rex, Bolivian, Griffith, Griffin, Sizolistnaya, Coral, Elatior, Barshevikolistnaya.

Begonia with beautiful leaves

The birthplace of begonias of this form is moist dense forests, in which sunlight rarely falls on its leaves after rain. Therefore, such begonias should be watered only in the morning or in the evening. Otherwise, their leaves will very quickly lose their attractive appearance due to burns. Almost all varieties of such begonias need an annual transplant. Plants of this variety reproduce by leaf cuttings or division.

Read also: How many calories are in a potato with an egg

Gallery: beauty begonia (25 photos)

Flower legends and interesting facts

Begonia is a very common flowering plant in the world. It has been known to man for a long time and is widely used not only as a decoration for houses and gardens, but also as a medicine or seasoning.

• In the Himalayas, among small nations, the secrets of making seasonings for food from Begonia are passed down from generation to generation. It is also used to treat migraines.
• In China, it is believed that Begonia appears on earth in the place where the tears of a woman in love fall.
• In Belgium, Begonia is used for flower festivals. Whole living pictures are grown from the bushes: castles, fairy tales, etc.

Evidence that Begonia has been widespread in Russia since the beginning of the 19th century is the fact that another name for this flower has taken root among the people - "Napoleon's ear".

Most likely, people with a sharp tongue called Begonia so because of the inner side of the leaves of some flower varieties, which resemble a red tint and wrinkled frostbitten ear.

Energy and symbolism

Even a small plant has extremely positive energy. With his appearance in the house, the aura of the home changes, becoming more positive.

Begonia can improve the financial condition of its owners.... You just need to tell the flower about your problems and ask for help. In gratitude for the care and concern, begonia will definitely increase cash flows in the house.

According to the now fashionable Chinese teaching Feng Shui, she is also a symbol of wealth, family happiness, tranquility and well-being. In Asia, begonias adorn the head of the bride with red flowers, they serve as a guarantee of the undying passion of the future union.

It is the abundance of species that has made begonias so popular. It can satisfy both a lover of beautifully flowering plants and a person who prefers to see plants with leaves of exotic colors in their home.

Will help to decorate and make a unique suburban area... For many centuries, it has been pleasing people with its beauty and giving a good mood.

Any plant is a living organism capable, in response to love and care, to thank its owner with a beautiful view and lush flowering. Give love to your pets and it will definitely come back to you!

Begonia is one of the most popular and widespread indoor plants in our country. Some of its varieties are bred for very beautiful leaves, some for showy flowers. Of course, in order for this plant, planted in a pot on the windowsill, to please the eye, you need to take care of it correctly.

Main varieties

At the moment, in the apartments of flower growers, you can find the following types of begonias:

• with decorative leaves;
• with beautiful flowers;
• shrubby.

There are also lianas, reaching a length of three meters. However, such forms are rarely used as indoor plants.

The most popular varieties and hybrids are:

• Royal begonia. It is one of the most exotic species with very beautiful colorful leaves.
• Tiger begonia. Plant with large mottled green leaves. The birthplace of tiger begonias is also tropical rainforests. This is a very bright and beautiful variety, hence its popularity.
• Eternal blooming. It is also quite spectacular.
• Coral.

Botanical classification

Main article: Species of the genus Begonia

The genus includes about 1600 [2] species.

Some of them:

• Wintering begonia (Begonia hiemalis
  )
• Begonia aconitifolia
• Begonia albopicta
• Begonia amarela
• Begonia annulata
• Begonia bowerae
• Begonia corallina
• Begonia cubensis
• Begonia dichroa
• Begonia exotica
• Begonia grandis
• Begonia hirtella
• Begonia jairii
• Begonia lucerna corralina
• Begonia masoniana
• Begonia minor
• Begonia naumoniensis
• Begonia odorata
• Begonia pustulata
• Begonia ricinifolia
• Begonia shasta
• Begonia thelmae
• Begonia ulmifolia
• Begonia vellosiana
• Begonia wollnyi
• Begonia wrightiana
• Begonia × tuberhybrida
• Begonia-Elatior-Hybrids
• Begonia-Semperflorens-Hybrids

Magic and astrology

According to popular belief, this inhabitant of the tropics brings happiness and prosperity to the house... Helps its owner to avoid financial problems and find a soul mate.

However, it should be remembered that diseases of these flowers can portend trouble for household members... Therefore, not only the condition of your green pet, but also the excellent condition of all family members depends on caring care.

Southern beauty absorbs negative human emotions, takes away unpleasant thoughts, relieves uncertainty and harmonizes relationships. She can return the former passion to partners who have been married for many years.

According to astrologers, the sun protects the flower, but in addition, Venus has a huge influence on it.

That's why he is able to give a fading relationship a second life and help those who have already despaired and resigned themselves to loneliness to find love.

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Some are afraid to keep begonias at home due to the fact that blossoming at the wrong time, it portends the death of one of the family members.

This superstition has spread only in Russia. In other countries, she is credited with exclusively positive qualities.

Begonia brings happiness and well-being to the house

Characteristics

The homeland of begonia, a houseplant loved by many, is the sunny and humid regions of the largest continents on the planet. This determines the variety of their appearance. However, there are several common signs by which it is possible to distinguish exactly begonia. It is primarily a succulent stem with two stipules and asymmetrical leaves. The flowers of these indoor plants are collected in inflorescences, and the fruit is a triangular box with many small seeds.

Since the homeland of room begonias is hot countries, its flowers are also distinguished by a wealth of colors. There are specimens with double, camellia or ordinary flowers - yellow, white, pink, orange, etc. Of course, most modern varieties are artificially bred. However, even in the wild, begonia blooms quite effectively. As already mentioned, some forms of this plant are also bred for their beautiful leaves, the color of which can vary from bright green to bronze or red.

Plant structure

Roots

The variety of Begonias species suggests that there can be serious differences even in the structure of the root. So, it is customary to divide Begonias with the formation of a tuber and the usual branching of the root.

In the first case, plants are better adapted to lack of moisture, since they are able to store enough nutrients and water in the tuber. In the second, the flower will be more whimsical. But most of the flowering varieties have a branched root, which ensures better absorption of all nutrients from the soil and, as a result, a much more attractive flowering.

Interesting! It is known that the roots of Begonias love loose soil, as they need air for normal growth. That is why experienced gardeners, at least once a year, prefer to loosen the topsoil 1-2 cm deep, even in pots and pots.

Leaves

On Begonias, as a rule, large and fleshy leaves with a large number of veins are formed.... They are located asymmetrically on the stem. Due to their relatively large size, they give the impression of a dense, bushy structure for the entire flower.

Leaf blades can vary significantly from one species to another. Some have straight leaves. Others have a scalloped border. Some varieties form irregular twisted plates.

Begonia leaves can also be completely different in color. There are varieties with the usual green color. There are species with purple, red patterns. Variegated multi-colored leaf blades (with two or more flowers) are considered especially exquisite. They are widely used in decorative cultivation.

Flowers

Inflorescences of Begonias are complex panicles consisting of several flowers... Male flowers are often brighter, but less lush. Females have more petals, but most often they are shorter in length.

Naturally, the huge variety of Begonia species is reflected in the large differences in color. Bred varieties with large flowers or panicles from a large number of small flowers. The differences relate to the structure of the petals (double, smooth) and, of course, their color.

Note! Tuberous begonias of mainly all species form a large flower with a diameter of 6 to 20 cm. And varieties blooming all year round form a large number of flowers of 1-3 cm in diameter, but during the flowering period they are literally completely covered with them.

Fruit

In temperate climates, Begonias are grown for flowering. It can be very difficult to achieve fruiting.... To do this, you need to withstand high temperatures for almost the entire flowering period and sufficiently moisturize the plant.

Begonia fruit is a small box with three nests and faint cracks on the sides. They contain many small seeds, which grow in size as they ripen until the capsule bursts and the seeds fall into the soil.

How to propagate red-leaved begonia

Red-leaved begonia propagates by cuttings or leaves. It is best to do this in the spring. A stalk up to 9 cm long is cut from the root, the cut is slightly dried, treated with Kornevin or another similar agent, placed in a mixture of sand and peat or in vermiculite, covered with a jar or transparent bag to create a greenhouse effect. After a couple of weeks of keeping in a warm, bright room, fertilizers are added to the water for irrigation. After a month, roots are usually already formed, the plant is opened, watered abundantly.

Several new plants are obtained from one leaf. To do this, cuts are made along the veins on the lower side, the leaf is placed on wet soil (sand, peat), pressed tightly. After a few weeks, roots begin to form, and then new sprouts.

Output

Begonias have become so widespread in indoor floriculture for a reason. Despite its toxicity (plant juice is considered dangerous), many gardeners invariably give preference to this unusual and surprisingly beautiful flower.

Perhaps most of all attracted by the unpretentiousness of the plant. Begonias really endure many unfavorable factors. Alternatively, the plant has spread widely due to the huge variety of species. In the right hands, a home greenhouse, consisting only of Begonias, but of different varieties, will definitely be able to impress any guest.