Fashion for pot flowers and plants change as well as the length of female hair... Here and now in vogue were begonias. By the way the language of flowers and bouquets plant data indicate caution and mistrust that sometimes podverzhaetsya and practice. Why? Read this article on begonia.

Have between one to two thousand hybrid forms of begonias. Among this diversity, there are plants and flowers that will fit in the palm of eggs, but there are those who are able to occupy an entire wall in the greenhouse. Many begonias have been selected or specially derived as houseplants, and to streamline this diversity there is a special classification. Begonia - a perennial herb, rarely drevesneyuschy shrub with fleshy (succulent) or the succulent leaves and stems. Stem erect or lodge, herbaceous, juicy, with very distinct nodes. The number of interstitials (10-12) corresponds to the number of leaves. Well-branched roots, some species are formed tubers. Inflorescence - panicle complicated with every increasing lateral buds. In the axil of each leaf of the main shoot, starting with the fifth or sixth, formed inflorescence, consisting of three - five male and female flowers. Apical (terminal) flower is always male.

Deciduous, evergreen shrub, tuberous begonias

Leafy begonias - this herbaceous plant with beautiful colored leaves (from silvery white to red and almost black), do not fall under good care and winter (eg, Begonia rex). They can not tolerate direct sunlight and shading in summer demand. Abundantly watered in summer and winter - in moderation. In winter, they must contain at a minimum temperature of 12 ° C.
Evergreen shrub begonias - is shrub and polukustarnikovye plants that grow well in pots on the windows facing the south-west and south-east, to keep at or below 15 ° C (preferably 22 ° C). Have beautiful flowers and painted leaves.
Tuberous begonias - a hybrid form, obtained from several South American species of begonias. Flowers are large, simple, double and semi-double, white, pink, red or yellow. Tuberous begonias can be grown in a room and in the soil. The stem and leaves of Begonia fall die off, leaving only the tubers of the flower. In winter, the tubers are stored in a dry, dark and cool place at a temperature of 3 ° to 5 ° C and up to February are left without irrigation. In February, the tubers are transplanted, exhibiting a bright warm place (no direct sunlight) and begin watering profusely.

Caring for begonias

The general rule for begonias is the need for high enough - usually less than 60% - relative humidity. Therefore, in the winter time, "leaf" types, such as begonias royal, require additional humidification of ambient air, at least in the form of spraying. Many shrub species of Begonia are more tolerant to the dry winter air, yet spraying and they do not interfere. At the same time, tuberous begonias, and also rare in the culture of succulent species do not require high humidity during the winter. On the contrary, they need a winter rest in a cool and dry conditions. During the summer, all heat-loving begonias. For tropical species at not less than 18-20 ° C is better to keep the winter, but those begonias, which are subtropical origin, need for winter in relatively cool (but not below 12-14 ° C) conditions. The main method of propagation of begonias in the indoor environment - rooting of cuttings. Perpetuate their water or in the substrate, as is use of washed sand, shredded sphagnum moss or a mixture thereof at a ratio of 1:1. In this case, the cuttings must be kept warm. When rooting leafy cuttings of plants such as varieties of begonias royal, it makes sense to use "mikroparnichok" (at least from a plastic bag or plastic boxes appearing now) with "hard" substrate. Begonia leaf with a small incision under the ramifications of large veins are placed on the bottom surface of the substrate. Soon appear in places cuts the roots and then the young seedlings. Rooting leafy cuttings of begonias, and especially fragments of leaves, it is better to produce at an elevated temperature (28-30 ° C) in the spring or early summer. We remind you that you can always order begonias and other indoor plants on our website, delivery in the city of Minsk.