A huge number of varieties of begonia are known. The family of this species has about 400 different species. Among them, in special subgroups, flowering and decorative deciduous plants can be distinguished.
Begonia is an amazingly beautiful evergreen. The leaves of the flower have a variety of bizarre colors from silver-white to red, and sometimes almost black. Bush-shaped representatives of the Begonia family all year round delight the eye with their painted dense foliage. Speaking about the choosiness of the plant, it should be noted that there are a fairly small number of varieties of flowers as unpretentious as begonia. Care and reproduction of this plant will not take away your enormous amount of energy.
Begonia - varieties and species
Begonias can take the form of a shrub, herb or shrub. However, the most common are hybrid varieties of begonia. At home, decorative-flowering varieties of this species are most often grown, which, in turn, are divided into two subspecies: evergreens and begonias, whose foliage dies.
The first category of plants maintains its beauty year-round, updating the magnificent "hair" gradually, without prejudice to its appearance. However, the flowers of such begonias are smaller and less inexpressive in comparison with inflorescences of other varieties.
The second category of decoratively flowering begonias periodically after each development cycle completely discards foliage or falls into a dormant state. Bush-like begonias after hibernation again accelerate their growth processes and delight with renewed foliage, but tuberous plants need to be replanted and re-grown.
Begonia - care and reproduction of a plant
So that the flower always delights you with a beautiful appearance, you need to choose the right place where begonia will grow. Care and reproduction largely depends on the species to which the plant belongs.
Almost absolutely all representatives of the Begoniaceae genus are very fond of bright, saturated lighting. However, in direct sunlight, the delicate leaves of this plant can get burns. Therefore, begonias need a little shade to avoid direct exposure to the sun. Decorative leafy species of begonias need less daylight, so they grow well in moderately lit areas.
In the summer, begonia requires a fairly intense saturated irrigation regime, which is significantly reduced with the onset of autumn. However, care must be taken not to flood the plant. Begonias do not like this very much, as well as moisture getting on the leaves. Almost all varieties of this flower when spraying or dropping water droplets on a leaf plate are covered with ugly brown spots.
In order for the begonia to bloom in beautiful bright colors, it should be periodically fertilized. This should be done 1-2 times a month, using specialized formulations for this purpose. For decorative deciduous plants, additives containing nitrogenous components are perfect, while blooming begonias are categorically contraindicated, since they inhibit flowering processes.
If you purchased this plant, you must provide the dormancy necessary for the flower, as required by begonia. Care and propagation of a flower under certain conditions will also not be problematic. Depending on the variety, begonias propagate by leaf or stem cuttings, seeds, leaf division or propagation of rhizomes.
Large bushy specimens with a good root system are dug up, carefully divided into the required number of bushes and transplanted into separate pots.
When propagated by leaf or stem cuttings, the sprouts of the flower are lightly sprinkled with crushed coal and planted in soil, which is periodically watered abundantly. The plant takes root in about a month, subject to the correct temperature conditions and the presence of good light.
By division of the rhizome, predominantly decorative foliage plants reproduce. In the spring, when planting begonias, rhizomes are cut with a sharp knife, leaving at least one kidney in each section, sprinkled with crushed coal and planted in pots with earth. With proper watering, after a month, the plant begins to grow actively.