Many gardeners like begonias because they grow very quickly, from planting to the appearance of the first flowers, it usually takes about 3 months. Therefore, in order to admire flowering plants at the very beginning of summer, it is necessary to start planting in March. Planting begonias, as a rule, does not require special knowledge and skills; the material is planted in those baskets and boxes in which it will grow, as well as in special peat pots, which will then be transplanted to a permanent place of growth. Begonias can be kept at home, or can be planted on their own land, where they will take root perfectly and will bloom throughout the summer period.
Planting begonias should be carried out in fertile soil with the addition of peat and with good drainage. The soil must always be moistened. Begonias do not like even light frosts, and therefore they need to be planted on garden beds only at the end of the frost period. It is allowed to take plants in containers to the street, but with any threat of cooling, immediately bring them into the room. Begonias are not demanding on light, so it is preferable to plant them in shaded areas of the garden and keep on the north side of the house.
Planting begonias with seeds is the most effective method of propagation. Begonia seeds are very small, resemble dust, so they do not close up when sown. It is recommended to pour snow on the prepared soil, along which the begonia seeds are scattered. When melting, the snow will pull them under the soil particles a little, and the seeds will rise very well. The substrate must be prepared as follows: sift the soil, peat and sand in a 2: 1: 1 ratio, sift and moisten with a 0.1% potassium permanganate solution for disinfection. The first seedlings will begin to appear 12 days after planting the seeds. They must be kept under glass until the first pick, which is carried out when the first two or three true leaves appear at the crops. The second pick is carried out a month after the first. The advantage of begonia is that at any age it transfers the transplant relatively painlessly, during which you need to try not to damage its fragile leaves.
Many gardeners are faced with such a problem as planting a begonia bulb so that it takes root and does not rot. Planting begonias with bulbs or tubers requires initial processing of planting material. Large tubers are cut into pieces, leaving 2-5 sprouts. Sections must be sprinkled with crushed activated carbon and dried. Immediately before planting, they are kept for about two days in a specially prepared solution that stimulates plant growth. Most often, Epin's solution is used. After the bulbs are removed from the solution and planted in the prepared substrate so that they are only half in the ground. The container should be placed in a warm and bright place and not water the soil during the first week after planting the bulbs. During subsequent irrigation, it is necessary to constantly monitor so that the water does not stagnate, otherwise the bulbs will begin to rot and die.
Planting begonias can also be carried out by spring cuttings. For this, large healthy tubers are harvested in the fall and provide them with a three-month rest period. In January, tubers are harvested and germinated. Cuttings with tubers can be cut twice as soon as 3 sheets appear on them. At the same time, only a stalk with two leaves is allowed to be cut. The third leaf is left so that the tuber can germinate again. Slices of the cuttings are powdered with charcoal and planted in the prepared soil, constantly making sure that it is moist. Rooting occurs after a month, after which the plants can be planted in separate pots.