Red begonia is a plant popular all over the world with a unique leaf shape and incredible beauty. In the wild, the greatest concentration is observed in the tropical forests of South America and Asia, as well as in India and some regions of the African continent. The plant is distinguished by long and abundant flowering, for which many gardeners fell in love with it. In the article we will talk about the key features of breeding and caring for begonias at home.
General information
Red terry begonia belongs to the Begonia family, represented by both annual and perennial herbaceous plants and shrubs. A characteristic distinguishing feature is the leaves, which have a unique shape, as well as a different color and size. In some varieties, they are monophonic, while in others they have a fancy pattern.
Separately, a few words should be said about the shape of the leaves. It can be very diverse and resemble a maple or palm tree, or it can look like an oval saucer. A longitudinal vein separates the leaf in the center. top side regardless ofvarieties are always bright green, and the lower one can be a variety of shades ranging from red to purple.
Red begonia blooms (photo of the plant you can see in this article) throughout the year. Inflorescences are formed by several very beautiful buds and have a complex structure. They fill the air with a pleasant aroma that spreads throughout the apartment and pleases the residents. The color of the petals can be the most diverse: red, pink, snow-white, lilac, pale yellow or orange. As soon as the plant fades, it will form small seed pods that can be used to propagate the plant.
Most common species
Let's dwell on this aspect in more detail. Begonia red Fimbriata, planting and caring for which does not require much effort, is far from the only representative of this family. Today, more than one and a half thousand species of plants are known, of which no more than a hundred are bred at home. Most of them were bred by breeders by crossing different varieties and are hybrids.
The following types of begonias are the most popular among flower growers:
- Royal. It is considered one of the most beautiful views. The leaves of the plant are shaped like hearts with small notches along the edges. They can be raspberry, light brown and purple. The flowers are small and pink in color.
- Tiger. It is a herbaceous plant with a long creeping stem and velvetyleaflets, which can be both monophonic and multi-colored. During the flowering period, loose inflorescences of a characteristic pale pink hue appear on this type of red begonia.
- Everblooming. Belongs to a group of shrubs with a straight powerful stem. A distinctive feature - the leaves are perfectly round in shape. The flowers of the plant are simple, with smooth or velvety petals. After the end of the flowering period, seed pods form in place of the buds.
- Coral. This red-leaved begonia is also a shrub and is very popular among gardeners. It differs from its relatives in its decorative appearance, thanks to which the plant is used in landscape design or for decorating flower beds. The leaves are oval, slightly elongated, dark green with silver flecks.
- Elatior. This variety is perhaps one of the most popular among lovers of indoor plants. Differs in large buds and long flowering. His shoots are erect and very dense. The leaves are slightly elongated with a smooth glossy surface.
- Ampel. This species got its name for the special shape of the shoots. it is ideal for planting in home gardens. The flowers are simple in shape but vary in size and color.
- Tuber. This is a versatile species that is bred as both a houseplant and a garden plant. The inflorescences are very lush and resemble roses of various colors in shape.
No matter what kind of red begonia you choose,breeding and care will not be difficult. The plant is characterized by unpretentiousness, as well as high resistance to pests and diseases.
A few words about leaving
As mentioned earlier, there will be no particular problems with this plant. All care for red begonia is to maintain an optimal microclimate in the room. The plant feels best at an air temperature of 15 to 20 degrees. It is not recommended to transfer flowers from one room to another. It is best to give them a permanent place with enough sunlight. Experts say that the best option is windows facing the east side. With a lack of light, begonia simply will not bloom.
Air humidity and watering
So what do you need to know about this? Begonia red, home care for which will not cause any problems even for beginner growers, needs a sufficient amount of moisture. However, watering should be balanced and not too plentiful, otherwise there is a high probability of rotting of the root system and death of the plant. To prevent water from stagnating, it is recommended to provide a drainage system at the bottom of the pot, which will ensure its drainage.
You can determine the need for the next watering on the ground. If its top layer has become dry to a depth of 1 centimeter, then the time has come. Since the tropical forests are the historical homeland of begonias, you need to worry about air humidity. It must be high so that the flower does not startdry. In this case, it is not necessary to moisten the leaves themselves, but only the air. To this end, the pot can be placed in a small container, at the bottom of which there will be small pebbles and water.
A few words about planting and soil quality
This aspect should be given special attention. Red begonia grows best on neutral soils that are well permeable to water and air. When growing at home, you can purchase a universal substrate or prepare it yourself from peat, leafy soil and coarse sand. The size of the pot doesn't really matter. The main thing is that the root system feels comfortable in it.
When transplanting, the plant should be removed along with a clod of earth. Then it is placed in a new, more spacious pot, sprinkled with soil, compacted a little and watered well. To harden and increase the resistance of the flower to diseases and pests, the root system is pre-treated with a weak solution of potassium permanganate. You don't need to repot too often. As a rule, once every few years is enough.
Fertilization
The red-flowered begonia looks amazing, but it needs regular feeding to achieve maximum decorative effect. During the period of active vegetation and flowering, complex mineral fertilizers are introduced into the soil, and in the case of deciduous species, nitrogen fertilizers.
Diseases and pests
So what do you need to know about this? Almost all members of the familybegonias are distinguished by good he alth and high resistance to negative environmental factors. According to experienced flower growers, they very rarely get sick. However, with poor-quality care and a lack of sunlight, flowers can be affected by root rot, mold fungi or ash. When the first signs of the disease are found, begonias are treated with fungicides. To protect against harmful insects such as aphids, spider mites and mealybugs, use chemicals or a soap solution.
Methods of reproduction
You can breed dark red begonias at home using several technologies. The following methods show good efficiency:
- seed;
- dividing roots;
- cutting;
- layering.
The most common is seed breeding. Planting material has a high percentage of germination, so there will be no special problems with it. It is best to sow in late winter or early spring. In this case, the seeds do not even need to be pressed into the soil. They are simply distributed over the surface of the earth, after which they are moistened with a spray gun, covered with garden film and placed for some time in a warm place, for example, placed near the battery. As soon as the seedlings appear, they are distributed in plastic cups or immediately in pots. Begonias begin to bloom from the first year.
Possible growing problems
It is advisable to familiarize yourself with this issue in the very first place. As a rule, with proper care, andalso timely watering and top dressing does not cause any particular difficulties.
The appearance of the plant will tell you about the presence of problems:
- If the leaves began to turn yellow and dry, then this indicates too dry air and high room temperature.
- The appearance of characteristic spots indicates the defeat of the plant by cucumber mosaic. In this case, the begonia must be dug up and burned.
- Prolonged lack of flowering can be caused by a lack of sunlight, drafts or an overabundance of fertilizers. Modifying containment procedures should resolve the issue.
Here, in fact, are all the difficulties that flower growers face when breeding begonias.
Design use
Absolutely all varieties have excellent decorative effect, thanks to which flowers have gained great popularity around the world. They are bred not only as indoor plants, but are also used to create unique compositions in home gardens and in landscape design. For the latter, species with a large size are especially well suited. For home breeding, experienced flower growers recommend ampelous varieties. But there are no strict rules, so you can grow the begonias that you like best for their appearance.
Conclusion
Begonias are truly amazing plants that amaze with their beauty and elegance. They will be an excellent decoration for an apartment or a private house, and will also make the garden brighter and more attractive. Theseflowers very rarely get sick and are unpretentious in their care, so both experienced and novice flower growers will be able to cope with their breeding. Be sure to get at least one begonia and you won't be disappointed.
