Cultivation methods and precautions of Begonia

Begonia is a perennial evergreen herb with a flowering period of up to 9 months, from March to December. In warm areas, it can continue to bloom even in winter. Begonia has a short plant shape, numerous flowers and a long flowering period. It is very suitable for potted cultivation, and can also be planted in the ground or in flower beds. Let’s learn about the cultivation methods and precautions of Begonia.

1. Choose breathable soil

Begonia is not very demanding on soil, but loose, breathable, slightly acidic soil is preferred. You can choose sandy soil or general nutrient soil. When preparing the soil yourself, you can mix peat soil, fermented organic fertilizer and perlite in a ratio of 3:1:1 and use it. When potting, you can add an appropriate amount of bone meal as base fertilizer to provide sufficient nutrients for the plant.

2. Reasonable fertilizer and water management

Begonia stores a lot of water in its stems and leaves and has a certain degree of drought resistance. When potting, water thoroughly, and then wait until the surface of the soil in the pot becomes 2 cm dry before watering again. Avoid excessive watering, which will cause the soil in the pot to be wet for a long time and cause root rot. When the temperature is lower in winter, you should reduce the frequency of watering and keep the soil in the pot moderately dry. Spring and autumn are the peak growth periods for Begonia semperflorens . It is recommended to apply a thin liquid fertilizer every 10 days or so, and you can use Huaduoduo No. 1 and No. 2 alternately. If the environment is warm in winter, the plant will continue to grow and bloom, and top dressing should be applied every 10 days or so. When it is hot in summer, fertilization can be suspended to avoid fertilizer damage causing black rot.

3. Proper lighting

Begonia likes light but is not resistant to sunlight. Sufficient light can be provided in spring, autumn and winter to promote plant growth and flowering. In summer, it needs to be shaded or placed in scattered light to avoid direct sunlight that may burn the leaves. Begonia is native to the woods and has a certain shade tolerance, so it can grow normally on a balcony where the lighting conditions are not particularly ideal.

4. Temperature control

The suitable growth temperature for Begonia is 15-24℃. It is recommended to keep the temperature above 10℃ in winter to ensure that the plants can continue to grow and bloom. Try to avoid temperatures below 0°C to avoid frost damage. In Zhejiang, Shanghai and other regions, it is generally possible to overwinter normally in a location outdoors that is sheltered from the wind and facing the sun. During the hot summer, the plants should be placed in a cool and ventilated place to avoid direct sunlight. As long as you avoid excessive sunlight and keep yourself properly hydrated , it is relatively easy to survive the summer.

5. Pruning and propagation

Begonia grows fast. For young seedlings, you can top them frequently during the maintenance process to promote branching. Once the plant is fuller, you can allow it to bloom normally. Due to the long duration of the flowering period, pruning can be done according to personal preference. For ground-planted Begonias, regularly prune the thin and weak branches and shorten the branches appropriately. Potted begonias have higher requirements for plant shape. They can be pruned once after each batch of flowers bloom and fade, shortening the branches to encourage the plant to grow new branches. Pruning helps control the shape of the main branches and the height of the plant. If you want the Begonia to grow into multiple plants in one pot, you can prune it lightly, and cut off the yellow leaves and overly thin branches in time. In terms of reproduction, Begonia semperflorens is relatively simple. It can be propagated by sowing or cuttings. When planting Begonias, small seedlings will often grow inadvertently in the pots, which is the result of self-seeding of the seeds. The branches that are pruned off regularly are easier to survive as cuttings.

In short, Begonia is a relatively easy-to-care-for flower , very friendly to novices, and almost free of diseases and pests. During the maintenance process, it is recommended to pay attention to the above points to ensure that it can bloom all year round.