Is it easy to grow collared begonia at home?

Legend has it that Mother Nature, creating this plant, was so carried away that she could not stop for a long time, coming up with different shapes and colors for it, endowing it with unusual properties. As a result, about 900 species of begonias appeared on Earth, which are credited with the ability to cleanse the air of pathogens, reduce the level of electromagnetic radiation from household appliances, have a unique healing effect on the human body and even help in the fight against stuttering. People have long ago tamed this plant by moving it to flower beds and windowsills of their homes. And everyone, without exception, calls the collar begonia the pride of the collection, striking in the size and beauty of the carved leaves.

What do biologists say about the plant?

Collar begonia (Begonia manicata) is a worthy representative of the Begoniev family. This perennial herb came to us from the tropical rainforests of Mexico in the middle of the 19th century. Probably, this plant owes its blooming appearance to the warm humid climate and powerful energy of the impenetrable jungle.

• Large sizes, up to 1 meter in height, make the flower noticeable among other representatives of the flora of the lower tier.
• Stem - creeping, rather thick, juicy, covered with thin red villi.
• The leaves are very large, up to 50 centimeters in diameter, spreading, resembling grapevine in shape, light green in color, slightly pubescent at the edges. Red streaks are visible on the seamy side. A distinctive feature of the species, which gave it its name, is a bright red collar of growths collected in a rosette at the base of the leaf.
• Flowers are small, bright pink in color, located at the ends of a long and thin peduncle, form an openwork brush, combining up to 5 inflorescences in a mature plant. They appear mainly in winter and delight the eye for a long time.

Where is the best place to keep collared begonia?

The average lifespan of a collar begonia at home is about 3 years. But it can be significantly extended by creating ideal conditions for care and a microclimate close to the natural conditions of the plant.

• Where is the best place to keep the flower? He needs a brightly lit place, but without access to direct sunlight. A large plant will feel uncomfortable on a narrow windowsill, so it is better to place it on a special stand, away from central heating batteries. The eastern and western sides of the apartment are considered ideal, and in winter, the southern one is quite suitable. Just remember to install a diffuser screen. In cold weather, additional lighting in the form of a fluorescent lamp may also be needed.

Advice

You will immediately understand that the plant lacks light by the appearance of its leaves. They, as a rule, become smaller, fade and lose their decorative effect. It is possible to save the situation by rearranging the pot.

• Do not forget that our Tropican is quite thermophilic. Therefore, she will be comfortable at a temperature of about 25 ⁰With summer and 18 ⁰Happy winter. Temperature below 15 ⁰C is harmful to the plant.
• This type of begonia needs a constant supply of fresh air, so it is worthwhile to ventilate the room daily, while avoiding drafts. In summer, the plant can be taken outside, finding a comfortable place for it in partial shade.

It is worth remembering that an exotic beauty does not like moving, so decide in advance on the location of the pot and do not disturb the capricious flower in vain.

Plant to water ratio

What is a rainforest? First of all, these are high temperatures, daily torrential rains, falling into an impenetrable wall, the earth, which does not have time to dry out, and the air saturated with moisture. It is these conditions that are familiar to our beautiful begonia, it is exactly what she expects when she finds herself in your apartment.

• Watering the plant in the summer is necessary 3-4 times a week, making sure that the soil in the pot does not dry out. Use only clean, settled water at room temperature. But try not to overdo it: stagnant water in the soil is fraught with decay and death of the root system.
• In winter, with a decrease in temperature, watering should be reduced, only occasionally irrigating the soil surface.
• It is important to constantly humidify the air using a spray bottle, special sprayers, a pallet with wet expanded clay or containers of water installed next to the pot.
• From time to time, it is worth arranging a real tropical downpour for the begonias, washing it with warm water from the shower. To prevent the earth from washing out of the pot, it is preliminarily covered with plastic wrap and tied tightly.
• It is necessary to periodically loosen the soil to ensure access of moisture and air to the rhizome, to prevent stagnation and compaction of the earthy coma.

Advice

Do not spray water on the flower itself: drops on leaf plates or petals work like a magnifying glass and, when exposed to sunlight, leave unsightly brown spots on the skin. Better to spray water around the pot - begonia itself will take the required amount from the air.

Top dressing

For normal growth and development, collar begonia needs nutrients and trace elements. Therefore, during the growing season, the plant is fed using ready-made fertilizers for decorative leaf begonias. They are good because they have a balanced composition and contain nitrogen, which is necessary for healthy growth and beauty of the leaves.

In order not to harm the Tropicana, you need to adhere to the following rules.

• Collar begonia nutrient solution should be made twice as weak as indicated in the instructions, especially when it comes to young specimens.
• It is better to apply fertilizers one hour after watering or simultaneously with it: nutrients penetrate into moist soil faster.
• Fertilizing a diseased or unrooted plant is prohibited.
• It is imperative to ensure that the solution does not get on the leaves - it can cause them to burn and wilt.

Advice

In hot weather, you should not feed begonia. It is better to do this on a cloudy day or in the evening.

Transplant rules

Young collared begonias are very sensitive to soil composition. In depleted land, these plants simply cannot grow and develop. Therefore, it is renewed annually - in the spring, before the start of the active growing season. You need to transplant adult specimens once every two years, as the roots completely fill the pot and begin to look out of its drainage holes.

You should start by choosing a new pot. This does not mean that you should buy the first container you like. What should it be for our begonia to feel comfortable?

• Not too spacious, just a couple of centimeters wider than the volume of the rhizome to avoid stagnant moisture.
• Stable considering the large size of an adult plant. It is best to choose a ceramic pot as it is the densest and heaviest.
• With drain holes in the bottom and drain pan.

Now it's time to tackle the soil. You can buy ready-made in a flower shop or cook yourself by making a mix of five components:

• leafy land;
• turf land;
• peat;
• sand;
• humus.

All ingredients, taken in a ratio of 3: 1: 1: 1: 1, mix well to form a loose substrate.

When the preparatory work is completed, we proceed directly to the transplant.

1. We fill 1/3 of the pot with drainage. For this purpose, expanded clay or small pieces of red brick are suitable.
2. Pour a layer of charcoal on top. He will fight putrefactive processes.
3. The next layer will be the prepared substrate.
4. We take the begonia out of the old pot by tapping lightly on the bottom and sides.
5. We clean the roots from the old soil.
6. We carefully examine the plant. We cut off damaged roots, weak processes and leaves. Sprinkle the cut sites with crushed activated carbon for disinfection.
7. We place the flower in a new pot, sprinkling with substrate on top and tamping slightly.
8. Water abundantly.

The next watering should be done 5–6 days after transplanting, as soon as the soil dries up and compresses.

Advice

Never replant a plant while it is in bloom, it could kill it.

Propagation by cuttings

Knowing that collared begonia is not only a beautiful flower, but also a reliable natural filter that purifies the air, you will definitely want to place these plants throughout the house. And it is not at all necessary to run to the store for a new copy. Reproduction of a tropican is a simple procedure, you can easily cope with it yourself.

You can propagate begonia using:

• cuttings;
• leaves;
• rhizomes.

Examine the plant carefully. Most likely, you will see lateral shoots or sprouted shoots on it. They can be used as cuttings.

1. Cut off a piece of the stem 7-10 centimeters long. If there is a leaf on the handle, then it must be cut off by a third to reduce the area of ​​moisture evaporation.
2. We place it in a glass of water and leave it in a warm, well-lit place until the roots appear, periodically adding water. It is worth adding water, and not completely replacing it, so as not to disturb the microflora favorable for root growth. Remember that hard or too cold water can harm the plant.
   The stalk can also root in a substrate of earth and sand. You just need to create greenhouse conditions for him, covering it with a glass jar on top, periodically airing and pouring through the pallet.
3. After about a month, we plant the rooted sprouts in a separate pot, following the general rules.

Leaf propagation

This method is very similar to the previous one.

1. Cut off the sheet.
2. We cut it where large veins diverge. It is here that after a while new roots should appear.
3. We place it on a moistened substrate in a mini-greenhouse. For a tight fit, part of the sheet can be pressed down with a pebble.

As soon as the emerging roots reach 3 centimeters, we plant the plant in the ground.

Advice

Do not break off the remnants of old leaves, they are a source of nutrients necessary for the adaptation of a young root system. Without them, the plant will not be able to develop and will most likely die.

Reproduction by dividing the rhizome

This is the most popular breeding method for collared begonia. It is produced most often in the spring, during plant transplantation.

1. Gently clean the rhizome from soil and rinse in a weak solution of potassium permanganate.
2. Use a sharp knife to separate the part so that there is a sprout with a leaf or bud on it.
3. Sprinkle the sections with crushed activated carbon for disinfection.
4. Dry slightly in the fresh air.

Now you can plant the cut in a separate pot and take care of it like an adult plant.

Should you trim collar begonia?

Experts say a lot about the fact that pruning gives begonias a beautiful, neat look, rejuvenates and heals it, stimulating the active growth of a young crown. But not all species need this procedure.

Should you trim collar begonia? This species belongs to the thick-bore, and they are rarely cut, only occasionally the top is shortened as the stem grows. Then the side shoots grow, giving the bush splendor. Dried shoots, leaves and peduncles are also removed at the end of the flowering period.

Diseases and pests

Forewarned is forearmed. This folk wisdom should become the motto of amateur flower growers. They should know everything about the diseases of their favorite plant in order to come to the rescue at the first sign by taking adequate effective measures.

The following infections can harm collar begonias.

• Powdery mildew - you will recognize it by its characteristic whitish bloom, formed in the form of round spots on the surface of the sheet plate. The danger is that this fungal disease leads to darkening and death of the leaves. You can deal with the problem by wiping the affected areas with soapy water, spraying the plant with fungicides, or pollinating with ground sulfur.
• Gray rot - the fungus develops in an excessively humid and warm environment. It affects all parts of the plant, forming gray weeping spots on the leaves, covering buds and stems with mucus. Rotting develops very quickly, often leading to the death of the plant. But you can try to help begonias by removing the affected areas, treating the perennial with soapy water or Bordeaux liquid (1% mixture of lime and copper sulfate).
• Bacterial spot - the disease begins with leaves, which are covered with characteristic small specks with a glassy surface. Then they darken and spread to the begonia stem. Unfortunately, saving the plant will not work - it must be destroyed, and it is better to get rid of the pot and soil. The disease is contagious, so for prevention it is worth treating nearby indoor flowers with 0.5% copper oxychloride.

Advice

When using chemicals, take precautions: wear gloves and a gauze bandage. It is best to process begonias outdoors. If this is not possible, after the procedure, thoroughly wash the stand, floor and hands.

If the leaves of your pet suddenly began to turn yellow, dry, curl into a tube - carefully examine them. Pests can cause poor health of begonias.

• Greenhouse aphid - wingless insects up to 3 mm in length, yellowish-green in color. They concentrate on the lower surface of the leaf, sucking the juice out of it. A characteristic sign of infection is sticky bloom and yellowing of the leaves. They fight the parasite with soap solution and insecticides, which are applied after the pests are removed.
• False shield - these parasites huddle on the leaves and stems of the plant. Moreover, both adult insects and their larvae are dangerous. A dark sticky bloom and sooty fungus should be alerted. You can clean the begonia leaf from pests with a soft brush dipped in garlic infusion. After that, treatment with an insecticide is recommended.
• Leaf nematode Are tiny white worms attacking the leaves and stems of begonia. Distress signal - yellow spots on the leaves that turn brown over time, and deformed tips of the shoots. In case of severe damage, the plant will have to be destroyed.

Once you bring home a collar begonia, you will understand that this passion is for life. And although the flower is not capricious and perfectly adapts to life in a city apartment, it will expect competent care, care and attention from you.