Begonia

Begonia - one of the most beautiful plants that decorate our gardens, parks, gardens, and just flat. This flower belongs to the great family Begoniaceae. Today the race has about 900 full and 2,000 hybrid species. The first begonia was described back in 1690 by Michel begonias, and use it for decorative purposes only began 200 years ago.

From the history

The story began with the begonias Antilles, where Michel Begon first described it. Subsequently, this flower was named in his honor. Decades later described begonia blossom forever a native of Brazil, even later - the royal begonia with the Indian subcontinent and tuberous subspecies from South America. It was from the beginning they have all the modern variety. Following widespread use of this flower for decorative purposes, begonia became incredibly popular: it was only once hothouse flower, and then there are those who are resistant climate surprises.

Today, throughout the world there are a huge number of hybrids and cultivars of cultural begonias.

All types begonias divided into groups in accordance with decorative features:

Decorative flowering;
Dkorativno-deciduous.
Locus of begonias can be called the tropics and subtropics. They prefer shady and moist places, but are also found on the steep shores of the sea at an altitude of 4000 meters, found in the mountains and on the arid slopes.

The variety of forms and types of begonias

Begonia is diverse not only in form but also in size and coloring. It may be, as the herb, whose length is 3 cm, and can be quite large shrubs. Begonias are stemless, are - with only one leaf. Sami leaves are painted in any shade of green, or the reverse side of the sheet monochrome or covered with colored spots and patterns. Begonia flowers themselves have a wide selection of colors, mostly warm palette.

Begonias - this house plants that can blossom not only in summer but also in winter. Decorative flowering species are plants with large bright flowers and ornamental deciduous leaves have a beautiful rich, but the flowers have less attractive. Sami leaves covered with bright hairs.

Lighting

For begonias it is very important that the light was bright. Particularly acute in need flowering specimens. In the summer pritenyat best begonia from direct light, because otherwise you may experience sunburn. Begonia decorative foliage suitable diffused light is best to place them on the eastern and western windows.

Temperature conditions

The most optimal temperature for the flowers - 21-23 degrees in the summer, and in winter not lower than 15-18.

By ground for begonias no special requirements there. It can be purchased at specialty store, and you can easily do yourself. If you decide to prepare the soil on their own, you will need: pot half filled with ground sheet, and then add the mixture of peat, humus in equal proportions. Do not forget to put a little sand on the bottom of a conventional pot. If you properly prepare the ground for begonias, she will long to please you with its strong growth.

Repot this plant should be necessary for Mary. Time passes with the previous transplant, and now grown roots can not fit in the old pot. That is why the plant should be placed in a spacious pot. It is best to transplant in the early spring. The plant should be careful to get out of the pot and the roots cleaned of the old peat. After that, it is best to put the plant into the water with potassium permanganate for a while. Once the roots are purified from the sand, you will need to cut off part of festered.

It is important not to pour a full pot of begonias land for the transplant. It is best to wait until the roots are completely dry, and then add a little earth. The plant, which recently transplanted, often need to be watered. Also, do not put begonia immediately in the sun. Remember now for awhile you need a hard look after Begonia. Typically, the healing time for a new dwelling is about 1 month.

Air humidity

Begonia because of its origin likes high humidity, but the spray is not recommended. This is due to the fact that, falling on the leaves, the water provokes the appearance of brown spots. To plant not muchilos from excessive dryness of the air, it is necessary to place the plant on the inverted pallet, and after the whole structure must be placed in another larger tray. The circumference of the need to pour a concrete block, which periodically need to moisten. Vaporized, the water will be needed to maintain the moisture balance of begonias.

Watering

In the hot summer days begonia need very abundant watering, but avoid stagnation of water in the pan, and even more in the pot. Watering should supernatant water when 1-1.5 cm of soil has dried up since the last watering. In winter, reduce watering. Pay special attention to types of tubers: in the winter they hibernate, so they should be placed in peat and completely eliminate the watering.

Top-dressing

Begin to feed begonia needed 1 every 2 weeks after flowering. Fertilizers with nitrogen should be used only for deciduous varieties, as they inhibit flowering, however, improve the growth of leaves.