Terry begonia: cultivation and care at home

The genus begonias has 1, 600 species, among which annual and perennial plants, herbs, shrubs and shrubs are found. Breeders bred a lot of decorative indoor plants, among which there are varieties with double flower petals. The tuberous begonia blooms most luxuriously with double flowers, most often planted in the garden and used for landscaping balconies and loggias. We will get acquainted with terry begonia, its cultivation and reproduction, what problems will have to face.

Botanical description of the plant

Tuberous begonias with luxurious double flowers were bred by hybridists. They are also called tuberhybrids. Their feature, in addition to the presence of tubers, is the dropping of foliage for the winter and winter dormancy. Many varieties of this group are distinguished by luxurious terry flowers of various colors - white, red, pink, yellow. Coloring can consist of their mixtures and be colorful or with a border.

Did you know? All begonias are residents of the tropics and subtropics. Most of them come from South America. These plants also grow in some Asian countries and in the west of the African continent, on the islands of the Malay archipelago.

Flowers of some varieties are similar to small roses, camellias or carnations. Selection did not stop there, and tuberhybrids served to create other species. Through complex hybridization, in which tuberhybrids and Socotrans begonia participated, winter-flowering begonias were bred. Some of which bloom with double flowers. They no longer belong to the tuberous begonias, since they no longer have tubers.

Most tuberous begonias require the proper organization of the resting period. Usually they are dug up and stored until spring in cardboard boxes with sawdust at temperatures of +12 ... + 14 ° С. Terry varieties also have hybrids related to ever-flowering begonias, created on the basis of the hood begonia.

Further hybridization allowed a large variety of varieties to be developed. The color of the flowers can be all shades of red, white and pink, and beautiful wax leaves can be green or bronze. There are variegated varieties. These are the most popular begonia groups, which include terry varieties.

Features of landing at home

Tuberous begonias are usually grown on the balcony or in the garden. Plants from the ever-flowering group can be planted as an annual crop on flower beds, and can please their owners with long-term flowering in indoor conditions. Each of these groups has its own landing characteristics.

Important! In tuberous begonias, only those tubers are planted in which there are signs of awakening - when they have peeped eyes. Too early planting may cause them to rot.

Optimal season

Terry begonias are planted in containers from February to May. If a plant is planted in open ground, then it should already be well warmed up. There is no risk of freezing frost. Therefore, planting begonias in open ground is done no earlier than May.

Pot selection and soil preparation

A pot or container for terry begonia should be taken in ceramic, so that oxygen can flow through the pores. When buying a container, make sure there is a drain hole and a drain pan. The depth of the container for tuber begonia should be at least 10 cm.

The optimal height of the pot, taking into account the drainage layer, is 12–15 cm. Its diameter depends on the size of the tuber. Between it and the walls of the container should be about 5 cm. If several nodules are planted in the container, then they are planted at a distance of 10 cm from each other in dishes of the appropriate width.

The soil in the pot is well-permeable and nutritious. The optimum acidity is considered to be a slightly acid reaction (5.5–6.5 pH). The easiest way is to purchase a ready-made substrate for begonias. The soil mixture can be made independently.

For example, mix sod-leaf soil, sand, humus and peat in a ratio of 2: 1: 1: 1. Self-made mixture must be calcined in the oven or pour boiling water. For the drainage layer, it is necessary to stock up with expanded clay, pebbles or broken brick.

Optimal conditions

The place where the terry begonia will grow should be well lit, but without direct sunlight. These flowers prefer diffused light. The direct rays of the hot sun can burn this sensitive plant. In the summer garden, she should choose a semi-shady place.

In summer, a pot with a plant is best placed on windows facing east or west, and in winter - south. Many varieties from the evergreen group in the open air can tolerate the direct rays of the sun, but in room conditions they overheat the tank with the plant too much and it must be shaded.

Begonias do not like heat and cold. Some garden varieties can tolerate frosts of at least -1 ° C, but for many terry indoor hybrids, it is undesirable to lower the temperature below + 15 ° C. The optimum temperature regime for all begonias is in the range + 18 ... + 23 ° С.

Important! Try to protect terry begonia from drafts and sudden changes in temperature. This should be especially taken into account when airing in winter.

Humidity should be at least 60%. It can not be achieved by spraying - spots on the plant from water droplets may remain. It is better to put a container of water next to it.

Landing technology

Tuberous varieties have their own planting technology. A drainage layer is made at the bottom of the potato tub that is sized to fit, which can reach up to 1/3 of the pot. Then 3 cm of soil mixture is poured, the tuber is laid in the center of the tank and everything is covered with soil.

2-3 cm of soil should be poured over the tuber. Planting is watered, and excess water is drained from the pan. If a plant is already being transplanted into a different container, the planting takes place by transshipment. The earth is lightly compacted and watered.

Home Care

After planting, proper plant care should be established.

Top dressing

During the active period, and especially during the flowering period, terry begonia is fed with complex fertilizers for flowering indoor plants 1-2 times in 30 days. They can be purchased at any store. In winter, top dressing should be discontinued.

Watering

At the onset of a warm period, the flower needs abundant hydration without stagnation of water. Watering is carried out at least 2 times in 7 days, but without overflow and stagnation of water. In the cold season, wintering varieties are reduced to watering up to 1 time in 10 days, since growth and development in this period slows down. For irrigation use settled water at room temperature.

Important! During the heating season, make sure that the soil does not dry out completely due to being close to the heating devices.

Pruning and replanting a flower

As it grows and develops, begonias are transplanted into a new pot every 1-2 years, when the plant grows and the old tank becomes cramped. For the transplant, the spring season is well suited.

Tuberous terry varieties are not cut. This procedure makes the plant branch and bloom more abundantly, but the flowers themselves are smaller. Ampel species are nipped for faster development of the pot.

For terry bush begonias, periodic pruning is needed. With its help, the bush is given a beautiful shape. A well-sharpened knife is used to trim. When the young plant reaches 10 cm, it is necessary to pinch the top so that this indoor flower begins to form lateral shoots and is magnificent. When the side shoots reach 12 cm, they should also be pinched.

Everblooming varieties do not need pruning, but when they eventually stretch and expose the stalk, they are updated by cuttings. Sanitary pruning is always done - sick, dry and damaged parts are removed.

Begonia breeding features

Breeding begonias depends on the species. All of them propagate by seeds, but they do not collect seed material from hybrids. Seeds are bought from a reputable producer. These indoor flowers are well propagated by stem and leaf cuttings. Tuberous varieties can be propagated by tubers.

Did you know? A generally accepted classification of begonias does not exist. Professor V.V. Vorontsova conditionally divides them into such groups - tuberous, shrubby, flowering and decorative deciduous.

Cuttings

The most popular way of propagating terry begonia is by grafting. This process should be carried out in the spring from April to May. Using a well-sharpened and disinfected knife, cuttings 9–12 cm long are cut. For this purpose, only strong and healthy stems are selected.

Cuttings are cleaned from the bottom of the leaves and transferred to a container of water. Water should be settled, and to improve the effect, you can add the drug "Kornevin." After the plant gives roots, it is transplanted into a container with a light mixture of peat and is regularly moistened.

The stem in a separate pot with prepared soil can be planted after 28–35 days. The optimal temperature regime for the rooting process is + 21 ... + 22 ° C. The rooted stem has all the characteristics of a mother plant.

Seeds

This method is rarely used, since it is the most time-consuming. Seed is sown in January. In order for seedlings to appear and develop well, it is necessary to provide artificial lighting for 4–5 hours before April.

Did you know? Begonias have very small seeds. From 30 g of seed material, 3 million new plants can be grown.

For propagation by seeds, the following sequence must be observed:

1. Provide a landing tank with holes for draining excess moisture and place a drainage layer of gravel or pebbles in it. Then fill the ground with prepared soil.
2. Sow the seeds by lightly covering the soil and ramming it a little.
3. In order for seedlings to appear earlier, you need to create a greenhouse effect by covering the container with planting a film of polyethylene.
4. Open the film for ventilation daily for 10-15 minutes. Moisten with a spray gun so that the soil does not dry out. The optimum temperature regime for emergence of seedlings from seeds is + 23 ... + 25 ° С.
5. After 14 days, when the first seedlings grow, provide additional lighting.

Tubers

To propagate tuber begonia, you can use the method of division of tubers. To do this, the tubers are placed the bottom on moistened gauze or soil and kept warm in good light. When the tubers start roots, they can be planted in a permanent place. To prevent various diseases, tubers are preferably treated with fungicidal agents.

When planting, the tubers are placed in a convex part of the pot on moist soil and the voids are gently poured. Part of the tuber above should remain above the level of the soil surface, but 2–2.5 cm lower from the edge of the pot. After the tuber sprouts, it is completely covered with soil.

Possible growing problems

Terry begonias can be exposed to diseases and pests. The most resistant to them are plants from the evergreen group, which are sick mainly when the conditions for proper care are violated.

Also find out why begonias have dried leaves.

Diseases

In case of violation of care and conditions, such diseases may appear:

1. Powdery Mildew You can identify such a nuisance by a white powdery coating on the leaves. The disease provokes jumps in temperature, drafts and excessive humidity. The fungicidal preparations Saprol, Baytleton, Topaz will help to cope with the problem. Sulfur powder treatment gives a good result. They are sprinkled with a plant and put on a plastic bag on top.
   

2. Gray rot. You can detect the appearance of the disease by a grayish coating on the leaves of this indoor flower. Damp and cold air in the room, lack of ventilation contribute to the appearance of gray rot. Affected leaves should be removed and chemical preparations such as "Fundazole" should be used.
   

3. Bacterial spotting. Symptoms of the disease are the appearance of watery glassy spots on the back of the leaves, which eventually become dark brown. Unfortunately, the disease is not treated. The plant should be disposed of with the soil and the pot disinfected. As a prevention of the appearance of bacterial spotting, a 0.5% solution of copper chloride is treated. Then re-carry out such processing after 14 days.
   

Pests

Terry begonia can be attacked by such pests:

1. Spider mite . The presence of a pest is indicated by the presence of a thin cobweb and white-yellow blotches on the leaflets, especially on the reverse side. To destroy the pest, the plant is washed with a sponge dipped in a soap solution, and the chemicals “Actellik” and “Fitoverm” are used. Processing is carried out 2-3 times in a week.
2. Aphids . Often ants become the cause of aphids. To eliminate this problem, use chemicals containing pyrethrum or garlic infusion. Processing is carried out until the aphids completely disappear.
3. The false shield is soft . Signs of appearance are discoloration and deformation of the leaves, sugar coating, poor begonia color. False shield - an insect up to 5 mm, transparent with a yellowish coating. Her larvae drink the juice of the plant. If this pest is detected, it is possible to treat with infusion of garlic, or chemical preparations of the “Actellik” type can be used.
4. Whitefly A small insect that looks like a small whitish butterfly. It affects plants of greenhouses and conservatories. When it appears, plants are sprayed with chemical preparations of the Confidor type.

Terry varieties are in different groups of begonias, which are slightly different in care. If you observe all the necessary conditions for growing, then terry begonia will surely delight with its beautiful color.