Some plants, which are decorative and deciduous, are superior to many flowering plants in terms of popularity of home breeding. Royal begonia has a special status in this group - elegant, bright, varied in shapes and colors. This plant is a kind of queen mother who gave birth to her numerous offspring.
The article provides information about this amazing plant - the royal begonia: care, reproduction, problems.
general information
Life is impossible to imagine without plants and flowers. They are an indispensable attribute in the decoration of any interior, and therefore in the ordinary life of people.
Unfortunately, the bouquets are short-lived, and many regret to cut fresh flowers. In this case, indoor plants in pots are saved. Besides the fact that they are beautiful and always fresh, many of them bring benefits - they clean the environment. In this regard, good and magnificent royal begonia. Her reproduction at home and caring for her are not very difficult. True, practice shows that this plant is a little moody.
Briefly from the story
The homeland of begonia is Southeast Asia. For the first time in Europe, she was seen at an auction in London in 1856. Three years later, three new flower varieties became known. So began the selection of this plant. The material for this was the previously known species of begonias. To date, many new varieties have been bred, and work in this regard continues. Unfortunately, it is now almost impossible to find the species of begonia that grows in natural conditions.
The ancestor of Begonia rex of the royal family immediately attracted the attention of breeders and gardeners. Thanks to breeding work, over a century and a half dozens of very different varieties were bred, and therefore a separate group was selected among them - Royal Begonia.
Varieties of begonias
Begonias are beautiful and diverse. Absolutely all of them are original and magnificent. They are divided into five types:
- tuberous;
- shrubby;
- ever flowering;
- reed or stem;
- rhizome.
Royal begonia refers to rhizome species, which are divided into large rhizome, small and royal. A characteristic feature of this group of plants is the rhizome stem, and an attractive feature is beautiful leaves.
Description
Royal begonia is a houseplant with colorful embossed foliage. Today, this flower is, unfortunately, not a frequent guest in apartments. Most likely, the reason for this is either the relative capriciousness of the plant, or the variability of fashion.
The stem is shortened (height up to 30 cm), the leaves have reddish petioles. The lower part of the leaf plate has a red tint, and the upper part of most varieties is green with some shades. The plant is covered with white hard hairs. All leaves of the plant have one direction, therefore, to get a beautiful bush, you need to plant a couple of begonias in the pot, placing them with “backs” to each other. The flowers of this plant are inconspicuous, small, often with a high stalk. They are not so spectacular, so they are usually ripped off. This plant is fascinated by gorgeous shapes and colors of leaves.
Royal begonia perfectly decorates any interior of the room. Keeping it is not so difficult, especially since it is able to withstand a wide range of humidity and temperatures. It always looks gorgeous, although it does not have beautiful flowers.
How to choose a plant?
When buying begonias in a store, you should carefully examine the plant. It should be strong, not wilted, without any spots rot on the stems and leaves. The roots should not peek out of the holes in the pot. It is important that the store give a description of begonias with an indication of the species and variety, as well as growing conditions.
To keep begonia in the house, it is necessary to create optimal conditions for it. You should not put them in place with drafts and bright sunlight, do not often transfer them from place to place. Although royal begonia is unpretentious, for its cultivation there are some important requirements dictated by the biological characteristics of this plant.
Indoor placement
In practice, three types of begonia are used: a winter garden or a warmed balcony, window sill, shelving. The best option is the first.
Begonia grows much faster on the balcony than indoors under artificial lighting. But the matter is not only in the light. This plant likes a warm or hot day and a cool night (temperature difference is important to it). And the main thing for favorable growth is the absence of drafts and the presence of fresh air. In such conditions, it is as close to natural as possible, where its leaves become large and beautiful.
Where is it better to put a royal begonia in the apartment? If it is not possible to arrange the plant on the balcony, it should allocate a place on the windowsill slightly shaded from the midday sun.
When placing begonias on the shelf, it is important to take into account the correct direction of the light and that in this case it should be watered less often.
Care
In natural conditions, begonias prefer shady places. They grow on rocks and crevices, on trees. Favorable for plants and humid air.
When growing it, it should be noted that the soil under it should always be moist, but waterlogging should not be allowed so that the roots do not suffer. In this regard, good drainage should be created in the begonia pot. Moisture on the leaves is also unacceptable, which means you can not spray begonia. To maintain humidity, you can use a humidifier or install a wet pebble tray next to the plant. For begonias, it is sometimes advisable to take a shower to wash the leaves of the plant well from dust.
If the royal begonia leaves dry and break, this indicates that there is not enough moisture for it. And in winter, dry leaves sometimes fall from the plant, which should be removed immediately. In this case, watering should be completely stopped, and the plant should be covered with polyethylene. Set the flower in this form in a cool place for about three months. After this procedure, as a rule, young shoots appear. Then the flower can be grown as usual.
For begonia, fluorescent lighting is well suited. Top dressing with mineral mixtures should be done once every half a month. Favorable temperature for the flower is 24 degrees. As the begonia grows, it can lose its decorative effect, so it should be updated every two years.
Begonia breeding
Vegetative propagation is preferable for begonia - by division of rhizomes (rhizome) or leafy cuttings.
You can propagate begonia with leaves. To do this, cut a leaf with a small stalk in the spring and deepen it in moistened soil (a mixture of perlite and peat). Then cover the pot with the plant with polyethylene and put in a warm place in the shade, but with good humidity. The leaf will take root in 4 weeks, and after about the same time, the leaf will grow. The first leaf will dry, it must be removed.
Begonia can be planted with seeds, but doing this is completely inconvenient, since they are small.
How to root a royal begonia with a cuttings? Root cuttings should be rooted in water, although they perfectly take root in moist soil with the presence of a root stimulant in it. To create a greenhouse effect, they are covered with a film.
Good for planting begonias soil designed for uzambar violets. The pot is suitable in the form of a bowl (shallow and wide).
Pest and Disease Control
The most effective and uncomplicated way to prevent disease is to keep the begonia clean. If such a problem arose (pests wound up or the plant became ill), it must be sprayed with special means, though not in the living room.
After winter, they are usually sprayed with Agat preparation for prevention, which increases the decorativeness and resistance of the plant to various diseases. The most malicious pests of begonias are spider mites and thrips.
Signs and superstitions
Royal begonia, like other species of this plant, brings happiness to the owners of the house. This superstition has come from past times.
According to signs, this plant brings love and prosperity to the house. At the same time, as the ancestors claimed, with the help of begonia you can find out your future. For example, if a flower begins to wither away, then unpleasant news should be expected. If the plant grows rapidly, replenishment awaits the family (wedding or childbirth).
Finally
Many modern bioenergy and psychics recommend growing this plant to people who often complain of loneliness and unimportant well-being. So positive energy comes from begonia that filling the surrounding space, it safely affects personal life. Everything is changing for the better.
In any case, everyone must decide for himself whether to believe it or not. And the plant is really unusual and beautiful, and it deserves attention and respect. It should also be noted that experts offer begonia with white flowers to put in the living room, and with red flowers in the bedroom.
Royal begonias reduce staphylococcus in the air by about 80 percent. They help increase human immunity and reduce the risk of allergic reactions.