All kinds of begonias and varieties conquered flower lovers around the world. These plants take their origin in the tropics of South America. They took root well in the tropical and subtropical zones of Asia and Africa. However, those species that are known to our lovers of indoor plants were bred artificially. Most of the hybrids appeared in Belgium. But the name of the flower is not connected with this country.
Plant features
The first species of begonia flower became popular in Europe thanks to the activities of the commander of the French colony Michel Begon. He organized an expedition of Charles Plumier, who studied and collected wild plants growing in the Antilles. The botanist wrote a work on the plants of America, supplementing it with drawings. He gave the name of the quartermaster to one of the cultures.
Begonia is an amazing plant. It is divided into many types and varieties. All of them contain two opposite sexes. This means that to obtain seeds, it is necessary that the male flower pollinate the female. The inflorescence consists of flowers of both sexes. For pollination at home, it is enough to use a soft brush.
Rhizome
The main distinguishing feature of these species of begonia is the rhizome. It is developed on the surface of the soil. Its shape may vary depending on the variety:
- long and branching;
- fat and fleshy;
- with short internodes.
The leaves of these plants are unusually beautiful. They are quite large, located on red cuttings. Each leaf is colored green and covered with white hairs. The middle of the leaf is silver, and the border is reddish or dark green. In some species, the leaves may have silver inserts, metallic luster. But the flowers are usually small, do not attract much attention.
Many species underwent so many breeding changes that they lost their original appearance. But from this they only became more beautiful, more adapted to the living conditions of the apartment.
Tuberous
Types of tuberous begonias have large flowers, the size of which ranges from five to fifteen centimeters. They often land in gardens. The plants are unpretentious, do not require much care. At the same time, they bloom beautifully, starting from early spring and ending with the onset of cold weather.
Bush
These types of begonias are rarely found in open ground. But on the windowsills they can be seen quite often. All varieties have a cranked stem with dense branching. Leaves are usually green and rounded; flowering is plentiful. How to take care of home begonia species?
Care for indoor views
In order for plants to please with continuous flowering and beautiful leaves, you need to take care of them. Almost all types of begonias require minimal care.
The following recommendations should be followed:
- It is better to water with soft water at room temperature. From spring to fall, the ground should remain slightly moist.
- The room should have high humidity. But you do not need to spray flowers and leaves with water. It is allowed to increase humidity by placing a bowl of water next to it, and if there is a humidifier.
- The plant is fed from March to September once every seven days. In autumn and winter, this procedure is carried out once every thirty days.
- The plant needs an annual transplant, which is best done in the spring. The new tank should be two centimeters wider than the previous one.
- Flowers can stand in a bright place, but without direct sunlight.
If you follow the minimum recommendations, many species will bloom year-round.
Description of Popular Views
All types of begonias are usually divided into two groups: decorative-deciduous, decorative-flowering. But the work of breeders does not stand still, so there are many hybrids of these plants. These are the ones that are bred at home. What are the most popular types of begonia? The names of many of them are of genuine interest.
Coral
The height of the flower ranges from thirty to ninety centimeters. Inflorescences come in two colors: pink and red-orange. Leaves on top are silvery with greenish-olive veins. The underside of the plate is a reddish hue. The plant lives for about five years. It can be propagated using cuttings.
Royal
The most favorite type of begonia among gardeners. Photos of the plant turn out beautiful, all this thanks to the unusual foliage. They have a purple color, which is complemented by a white border. The first wild plants came to Europe in the nineteenth century from Southeast Asia. During this time, breeders have created dozens of varieties of this flower. There is even a variety with dark olive leaves that appear black in the photo. Insanely mesmerizing effect is given by Escargo leaves. The leaves are painted in green, a white spiral passes through it. It seems that it was not nature who did it, but the artist walked over all the leaves with a whitewash brush.
But this flower is finicky. He needs a certain temperature regime - eighteen to twenty-five degrees. He also needs abundant watering, protection from the ingress of burning sunlight.
Griffin
This type of begonia, whose photos are valued for decorative leaves, is the new royal variety. The plant grows up to forty centimeters in height. Large castings with unusual colors.
The plant is a perennial, often planted in winter gardens. It gives a contrast to green spaces. The variety looks great with other types of begonias, especially flowering ones. The griffin is quite hardy to external factors, unpretentious to soil quality and watering. It can be grown in an apartment or in the garden. He feels good on the shaded area.
Rex
View of the royal begonia. The plant belongs to the decorative-deciduous group. Its height is only twenty-five centimeters. Rex's flowers are faded and inconspicuous, painted in a pale pink tone. But the leaves amaze with their colors. They have a wide oval shape and serrated edges. Their color can be pink, purple, red, silver. The plant needs a shaded area. Humidity should be moderate. You can propagate the flower using cuttings and dividing the bush.
Collar
Many types of begonias feel good at home. No exception and a collar variety. Its stalk is creeping, leaves are light green in color with a slight pubescence along the edges. In the lower part of the leaf plate there are veins on which bright red outgrowths develop. There are also on the top of the sheet. There they form a socket that resembles a collar. Hence the name begonia.
The inflorescence is presented in the form of a loose, charming brush, which consists of many small flowers of bright pink color. The flowering period begins in winter.
Metal
An unpretentious plant feels good in various temperature conditions. The name of the flower is associated with a special coating, which gives the leaves a metallic shade. It grows to ninety centimeters. He needs moderate watering, air humidity should be medium. Separately, it should be said about the soil. It must be acidic or slightly acidic.
Moistening the flower by spraying the leaves is not recommended. It is better to add water to the pan. To give the flower the correct beautiful shape, it must be periodically rotated around its own axis. The plant propagates by leafy cuttings, which are sufficient to place in water or wet sand. Roots appear pretty quickly.
Leafy
The plant belongs to the decorative-deciduous group. Leaves do not fall to the ground, their shape is oblique. The name flower got for the color of the lower part of the leaf plate. The plant itself is low, the stalk is fleshy and large, pressed to the soil. Soft pink flowers will be more noticeable if you plant begonia in a hanging pot.
Bauer
The plant is undemanding. Its height is only ten centimeters. It grows rapidly, as a result of which a beautiful bush is formed. The flower easily transfers the transplant. From spring to autumn, regular moderate watering is required. Lighting should not be bright, but diffused. Bauer leaves will turn pale due to strong lighting, but many buds will appear. The flowers are white or light pink.
Bauer tolerates temperatures not lower than +16 ° C. Propagated quite easily with the help of leafy cuttings. Many gardeners love this type of begonia for beautiful leaves.
Tiger
The plant belongs to the group of decorative deciduous. It has erect stems and heart-shaped leaves. The length of each sheet plate reaches seven centimeters. Her color is brown-olive. At the edges there is a small green spot. The plant can grow up to thirty centimeters in length. For full development, he needs bright lighting. In this case, direct sunlight should not fall on the flower. Also, water must not be allowed to fall on the leaves. Water should only be watered.
Alfalfa
The flower is famous for its large decorative leaves, whose length is twenty centimeters. They have an elongated oval shape, the edges are serrated. The upper side of the leaf plate is dark green with fine silver spotting. The opposite side of the sheet is painted in a reddish tone. Despite the fact that the plant belongs to the group of decorative and deciduous begonias, it has rather large flowers. Their diameter is one and a half centimeters. They gather in bright pink inflorescences-brushes. Begonia blooms long and plentifully.
Pendula
A beautiful plant that is characterized by abundant flowering. It refers to the species of evergreen begonias. The flowers are very bright, strewn throughout the bush. This begonia will be a decoration for any apartment or office. Reproduction occurs using seeds and stem cuttings.
Yellow
The plant belongs to the tuberous species. It has beautiful leaves, blooms profusely. Depending on the color of the inflorescences, several subspecies are distinguished: pale pink, white, red, yellow with a pink trim.
Cleopatra
This type of indoor begonia has long burgundy cuttings and dark green leaves. A flower can grow up to thirty-five centimeters. It reacts equally poorly to excessive watering and dry air. Spraying this species is not worth it. To give the bush a beautiful shape, it must be regularly rotated around its own axis.
Non-stop
The dwarf annual species grows up to twenty centimeters in height. Its terry inflorescences are very large - nine centimeters in diameter. The flowering period is very long. The first flowers appear in early June. The plant pleases with its beauty until late autumn, until frosts appear. Leaves are green.
This is just some of the many species of begonias. Home care for most of them is simple. How can these unpretentious flowers be propagated?
Briefly about growing begonias
Some species of begonias live only a few years. Then they lose their compactness and fall apart. To prevent this from happening, you need to regularly update the plants. You can also grow new seedlings to change them to wither.
Some types of flowers can be grown with seeds. Their germination is very high. The seeds are placed in the ground in February, so that the plants become stronger by autumn. Land for sowing should consist of sheet soil, sand, peat. Seeds are lightly rolled into the ground and covered with a film. The air temperature in the room where the containers will be located should be twenty degrees. Watering must be carried out by the drip method so that the seeds do not wash off. Sprouts will appear in two to three weeks. They are carefully transplanted into separate containers. In a month they will be ready to land at a permanent place.
Begonia is well propagated by tubers purchased in the store. For the appearance of roots, the tubers are laid out on a wet cloth. When the roots appear, they are placed in the ground.
Such a variety as royal begonia propagates well by rooting a leaf fragment. To do this, it is necessary to divide the sheet plate into segments and choose the one that has a thick vein. She will give the shoot. A leaf fragment is planted in loose earth and covered to create a miniature greenhouse. Soon a sprout should appear, which is grown as a normal plant. Begonia in a beautiful pot is a great gift for a woman who loves to grow flowers.