There are currently about four hundred various kinds begonias, and varietal diversity is simply amazing. This wonderful plant is unique in that it can show a gorgeous flowering that is in no way inferior to roses, or it can bloom with modest flowers, but at the same time have such beautiful foliage which you will not find in other plants. With its species differences, begonia causes controversy even among botanists. Every year its popularity is growing, gardeners resort to different ways reproduction of this pet, but the greatest interest is grown begonia from seeds.

In private collections and for growing in greenhouses, two types of begonias are most often grown: tuberous and ever-flowering.

Reproduction of tuberous begonia in various ways

Reproduction by seeds tuberous begonia is not the only way to grow beautiful flower. A plant bush can also be obtained using a tuber, its division and leaf cuttings.

Growing begonias from a tuber at home

After the begonia has faded, it must be dug up with a large earthy clod and after it has dried up, place it in a container with sand and peat for winter storage. During the entire period, in order for the tuber to be well preserved, the container with the substrate is occasionally watered. With the advent of sustainable warm weather When the threat of frost has passed, the tubers, cleared from the ground, can be planted in a permanent place.

Also, tuberous begonias at home can be obtained by dividing an adult tuber. To do this, a successfully overwintered and healthy tuber is divided into several parts, the length of which should be no more than 5-8 cm. When it is fragmented, one kidney must be left on each part. Sprinkle the places of cuts with crushed ash.

Plant the prepared parts of the tubers in vertical position in moistened soil in a pot, which is covered with a film (glass) on top and put in a bright place. After the plant is well rooted and a few leaves appear on the shoot, the cover can be removed from the container and planted in a separate pot or soil. Tuberous begonia care at this stage will consist of timely watering and fertilizing with complex fertilizers.

Propagation by cuttings of tuberous begonia at home

For cuttings, a cutting is selected that has at least two buds, and the adult leaves growing on it are cut off by half. To root the plant, a substrate consisting of sand and peat (3: 1) is used. A hole is made in it, into which the prepared cutting is carefully placed. The container is covered with a bag or cut plastic bottle. During the rooting process, make sure that condensation does not form. After 2-4 weeks, the cuttings give roots.

When can you sow begonia seeds at home

For indoor cultivation seeds of tuberous and ever-flowering begonias are recommended to be planted as early as December-February. If the plant is planned to be transferred to the garden, then the sowing of seeds is carried out closer to spring. When sown very early, seedlings that are intended for open ground, during their transfer to the garden (May) are overgrown. They lose their decorative effect. In some cases, they simply die.

Experts point out that propagating begonias with seeds for indoor growing is best done in November-December. Why? First, seedlings obtained from early planting differ good health. Secondly, the tuberous begonia of the November, December and January crops manages to form a tuber by autumn, the diameter of which is 2.5 cm. It is well preserved in winter. Tuberous begonias, sown with seeds of which took place in February-March, have time to form tubers with a diameter of up to 1.5 cm by autumn. Some of them may not survive the winter.

Soil preparation for sowing tuberous begonia seeds at home

All types of begonias do not like acidic soil; for sowing, you need to select close to neutral acidity or slightly acidic. Now in flower shops you can very conveniently choose the soil for certain types of plants, you can find it specifically for growing begonias, or for flowering houseplants. It is also very easy to prepare the soil mixture by ourselves, it is enough to mix sheet, soddy soil and sand in equal amounts, adding a little perlite or vermiculite.

Regardless of whether you bought the soil or prepared it yourself, it must be subjected to a disinfection procedure. All begonias, with their delicate and fragile stems and leaves, very quickly become infected with fungal diseases or are affected by mold. There are several ways to do this:

• Freeze the soil by holding it for some time in the cold so that it is completely frozen.
• Spill the soil with boiling water, so pathogenic bacteria and weed seeds will be removed.
• Shed the soil with a weak solution of potassium permanganate. Steam the soil by placing the container in a water bath.
• Seeds can be sown in very small bowls or peat tablets. The main thing is to be able to cover them, creating a greenhouse effect inside for crops.

Sowing seeds of tuberous begonia at home

Often gardeners who grow flowers do not know how to grow begonias from seeds. This question also arises before those who wish to obtain new varieties of this plant, cuttings and tubers of which are not always possible to acquire. Getting seeds is much easier, since online stores are replete with similar offers. Having become the owner of the treasured bag, you need to plant the seeds correctly. Since the seeds are small, before sowing for better distribution on the surface, they can be mixed with sand. Some prefer to simply press the seeds into moist soil, finding this option more convenient.

Then everyone is covered with glass or stretched with a film and put in a warm place with a temperature of 20 to 24 degrees (for example, near a radiator). With more low temperatures seeds may freeze and not hatch. Throughout the time it is necessary to keep the soil moist, but also to prevent its waterlogging.

Seedlings can be expected in two weeks, however, these dates may be slightly shifted in one direction or another due to the quality seed material. After the appearance of sprouts, plants need to provide a sufficient amount of light, otherwise the seedlings will look for it themselves and at the same time stretch out a lot, or they may lie down. To do this, they are rearranged closer to the window and lower the temperature to 12-16 degrees. Sprouts are accustomed to open air gradually, and in the first stages they are protected from direct sun rays.

Picking tuberous begonia at home

When two or three true leaves appear in plants, they are picked into separate containers with a fertile soil composition. Sometimes there are tips with a double pick, whether to do it or not is up to you. But is it worth it once again to disturb the fragile root system?

Picking is carried out in a container of 30-50 ml. For this, ordinary plastic cups with drainage holes made or special containers that are easy to buy at the store are suitable. The soil is bought special for begonias. After picking, the plants are returned back to the greenhouse. The temperature is gradually lowered to normal room temperature. The lower limit should be +18 degrees. Also, begonias are gradually accustomed to room humidity. To do this, increase the ventilation time of the greenhouse and monitor the turgor of the leaves. If the seedlings drop leaves, the greenhouse is closed. The potting soil should be constantly moist, but not wet. Otherwise, the begonia root system begins to rot. Lighting is required. Begonia seedlings are best kept on eastern windows, but not in direct sunlight.

Picking is carried out 2-3 times. Usually the first transplant stimulates seedling growth. In the future, the plants are fed once a month. However, the first full feeding should be carried out after the begonia is planted in an adult pot.

Feeding tuberous begonias at home

Feeding begonias begins only two weeks after picking. It is usually easiest to use ready-made complex fertilizers for indoor plants. They feed flowers twice a month.

When buds begin to appear, it is better to switch to potassium-phosphorus fertilizers in order to improve the quality of flowering. Fertilizers are applied after watering, in moist soil.

Diseases and pests of tuberous begonia at home

Begonia is afraid of waterlogging, and therefore dampness can lead to root rot. Moreover, various fungi can appear in too wet soil. The most common fungus gray rot- affects leaves, it can be identified by a gray coating on the upper side of the leaf, buds are also affected (mucous plaque appears on them). You can get rid of gray rot by spraying the plant with raster soap and blue vitriol(20 grams of soap and 2 grams of vitriol are dissolved in a liter of water). Also from dampness may appear powdery mildew- light gray spots on the leaves. It is easy to deal with it - just wipe the leaves soapy water. Also, begonia can be affected by aphids - small insect sucking the juice from the leaves. Aphids can also be removed with soapy water; Special chemicals also help.

Most of all, begonia is prone to rot. Carefully monitor the irrigation regime - do not allow stagnation of water in the soil.

The rot manifests itself in the blackening of the stems, it spreads very quickly. It is important to quickly remove rotting stems to prevent the death of the plant, and treat the flower with a fungicide. Blackening of stems and leaves can be caused by bacterial blotch, which begins with the appearance of small glassy spots on the inside sheet. It is useless to fight it, you need to throw away the affected plant and disinfect the ground. To prevent bacterial spotting, begonias are sprayed with a solution of copper oxychloride.

We hope that these tips will help you grow healthy tuberous begonias that will delight you for many years with beautiful lush flowers in the garden or at home.

In the desire to ennoble their own, gardeners spare neither time nor effort. Their favorite among decorative flowers for the garden in our region is. This article will help you not only not to get lost in the variegated variety of tuberous begonia varieties, but also tell you about all the intricacies of caring for our southern belle.

Description of the variety

This flower surprises not only with the beauty of its flowering, but also with its diversity. Mainly allocate three main varieties: deciduous, bush and tuberous.

In our article, we will focus on the tuberous begonia itself, since being the most thermophilic and least whimsical among all its relatives, it confidently settled on our summer residents.

Tuberous begonia is perennial plant with large heart-shaped or asymmetrical leaves; terry or smooth, depending on the variety. Sizes and color palettes begonias a great variety: from large juicy red flowers to small pale pink.

Varieties of tuberous begonias

We suggest that you familiarize yourself with several of the most striking and interesting representatives of this family.

Asymmetric leaf shape, lush bush and juicy, colorful inflorescences - this beauty will be a worthy decoration of your porch or house. It is also noteworthy that this particular flower variety is intended for growing in pots.

This species is characterized primarily by large, double flowers. A small, very compact bush, usually up to 30 cm in height. Blooms throughout the season.

This gentle beauty maybe not so colorful, but the aroma is exceptionally pleasant. The leaves, unlike most begonias, are smooth and shiny. Blooms from July until frost.

Planting features: choosing a place for growing

The place of seating of these flowers must be selected with all care and responsibility, since this plant is very thermophilic and needs good soft consecration.

Important! Direct sunlight can "burn" sensitive begonia foliage.

The distance between planted tubers must be selected based on the plant variety. For a tall begonia, it is 30-40 cm, and for a short one, 15 cm is enough.

flower planting technology

The planting of flower tubers is approximately carried out in early June, when the air temperature at night reaches at least 12 degrees. Depending on the size of the seedling, you need to select optimum depth landing hole, since begonia has a very fragile stem, especially on initial stages development.

Selection and preparation of planting material

To propagate tuberous begonia at home, you must first acquire plant bulbs - they must be dense, even and have a dark brown color. In this case, special attention should be paid to the buds: it is their color that indicates the color of future inflorescences.

Important!If the tuber already has a growing shoot, it is not recommended to buy such a plant.

Rules for planting tubers

When you have acquired good healthy bulbs tuberous begonias, you can already proceed to planting a plant. As a rule, the bulbs are preliminarily germinate in small boxes(with necessarily prepared soil and) or. The tubers are deepened into the soil fertilized by the substrate by 5 cm, while the kidneys should be on the surface. After 5-6 weeks, already grown plants with small flowers are planted in the ground.

How to care for tuberous begonia

The flower requires increased attention throughout the entire flowering period. With the southern beauty, we won’t lie, we’ll have to work hard.

Watering the plant

Having a very fragile root system, the flower needs regular. In order not to ruin it, watering should be carried out either early in the morning or late in the evening with warm, settled water.

Did you know? On one shoot of a plant, as a rule, both male and female inflorescences are located.

Flower dressing

pruning

Begonias grow very quickly, and therefore you should not skip pruning the plant in any case.

The first pruning is carried out in order to give the flower the desired shape - for this, the stems must reach 7-8 cm. When side shoots grow up to 12 cm, it is necessary to cut off their tops in order to awaken the lateral buds, which in the future will form a begonia bush. Pruning must be done only sharp knife. can damage fragile stems.

Transfer

To begin with, the roots must be carefully cleaned of old soil and placed in a container with a solution of potassium permanganate for 15-20 minutes. After that, trim the rotten or shrunken parts of the rhizome and boldly plant the plant on the site you like.

reproduction

propagate tuberous begonias two ways:

1. Cuttings involve the use of the largest shoots of a flower with a length of at least 10 cm. The sprouts take root well both in the substrate and in the water. In this case, it is recommended to cover the plants with polyethylene to maintain required level humidity and temperature.
2. Sowing begonia seeds is best done in special containers with prepared soil. Seeds are located on a well-moistened, peat-fertilized soil. The boxes are covered with glass and placed in a well-lit room at a constant temperature of 20-22°C. Two weeks after sowing, you can expect the first sprouts. After the appearance of the third full-fledged leaf, the seedlings must be transplanted into loose soil, watered and fed abundantly.

Begonia is especially loved by flower growers. This culture has about 1000 varieties, each of which has its own characteristics. The most popular are the following types of plants: ever-flowering, Elatior, Royal, tuberous, Mason. Begonia is not able to winter in the open field, so it is grown as a perennial indoor plant, which, with proper care, fully develops and blooms regularly.

Often a situation arises when you want to keep your favorite crop variety, replace old bush to a new one or propagate begonia of a certain type in sufficient quantity. Begonia propagation methods vary depending on the specific type of flower, but if you follow the recommendations, this procedure will not be difficult.

It is necessary to adhere to some general rules, ignoring which can complicate the process of plant rooting:

1. 1. With further transplantation of seedlings, it is necessary to choose small-sized containers, which will allow moisture not to stagnate at the roots and exclude the appearance of root rot during the growth and development of plants.
2. 2. The soil for planting must first be moistened, but so that it is not too wet.
3. 3. Capacities when dividing the tuber should be no more than 2 cm wider than the diameter of the bulb.
4. 4. A 1–1.5 cm drainage layer should be laid on the bottom of the planting pots, which will help remove excess water.
5. 5. When transplanting, the root neck of seedlings should be at the level of the soil, since its deepening leads to a slowdown in growth and further development.
6. 6. After planting, the plant must be placed in a shady place for 2–3 days to recuperate.

When breeding begonias on initial stage you need to use a seedling substrate, which can be purchased at the store or prepare the soil mixture yourself at home. It will need to mix the following components:

• 1 part peat, soddy soil and coconut substrate;
• 2 parts sand.

As the plants grow, they will need to be transplanted into separate containers and more. nutrient soil.Therefore, it is necessary to use the substrate for begonias in the following proportion:

• 1 part sand, humus, coconut substrate and peat;
• 2 parts soddy soil.

You can make it easier for yourself by buying a substrate for begonias in a specialized store.

Reproduction methods

Experts identify several basic methods for propagating begonias, but some of them are used only for certain types of plants:

1. 1. Cuttings. Is an universal way, as it applies to all types. The downside is that you can grow a limited number of young begonias.
2. 2. Leaves. Suitable for breeding all decorative leafy begonias: Royal, Mason, Metal, Griffith, Tiara. Tiger, Imperial, Cleopatra and also flowering species, which are pubescent with reverse side sheet.
3. 3. Tuber division. Applicable to all tuberous begonias.
4. 4. Seeds. Recommended for everyone flowering varieties, which allows you to get a large number of young seedlings.
5. 5. Dividing the bush. It is used for bush and ever-flowering species.

cuttings

Propagation of begonias by cuttings is one of the simplest and most effective ways. It is acceptable for all plant species that have a stem.

Cuttings must be cut with a disinfected knife or blade, which will prevent infection from entering fresh wounds.

The procedure then proceeds as follows:

• it is necessary to cut the apical shoots about 10 cm long with two pairs of leaves;
• remove the lower leaves, and cut the upper ones in half, since the cutting is not able to provide them with the necessary nutrition;
• put planting material in a glass of water for 1–2 weeks until roots form on the lower cut;
• plant the cuttings in a moist substrate, deepening to the growth point of the removed leaves;
• after 2 months, mature plants must be transplanted into separate containers.

The optimal time for cuttings is April, since during this period growth processes in begonia tissues intensify.

Leaves

This method is not suitable for all types of begonias. It can be applied to all stemless varieties with hairy undersides of leaves.

Experts distinguish three methods of propagation by leaves. Which one to choose, each grower decides for himself.

Sheet division

Choose a sufficiently developed sheet without obvious defects. Cut it into segments from the middle to the edge, but so that each of them has one vein. Up to 10 fragments can be obtained from one sheet.

Plant them in prepared containers with the bottom cut down, deepening 1/4 of the soil into the soil. Create a mini-greenhouse for seedlings with optimal microclimate. Leaflets must be periodically ventilated, maintain the humidity of the substrate and remove condensation from the lid.

Within a month, babies will appear at the base of the fragments. When they grow up and get stronger, it is necessary to adapt them to external conditions. To do this, it is recommended to remove the lid on the first day for 30 minutes, and with each subsequent day to increase this period by 20-30 minutes. A week after the start of the procedure, the seedlings can be fully opened.

Plant young plants individual containers required after 3 months.

Growing from mother leaf

Take a large sheet mother plant and make cuts on the veins on it around the entire perimeter. put it down front side up and down a little on the ground. If necessary, to improve contact, you can use small pebbles or other improvised means. Cover the container with glass or film and leave to root in a bright place at a temperature of 25 degrees.

Periodically, the container should be ventilated and moistened with a spray bottle, and also do not forget to remove the collected condensate on the lid with a paper towel.

After 25-30 days, begonia babies will sprout. When they get stronger and start growing, you should adapt to external conditions and plant them in separate pots.

Growing in water

This method is the simplest. For rooting, it is necessary to cut a leaf with a leg under the base and put it in water for 7–15 days, but it cannot be changed during the entire period, but only topped up if necessary.

When the roots appear, the leaf should be planted in a plastic cup with a substrate. After 2-3 months, when the seedling is strengthened and grows, it is necessary to transplant it into a larger container and provide full care.

seeds

Seeds must be purchased from trusted manufacturers.

The seed method of propagating begonias is laborious, but it allows you to get a large number of young seedlings at the same time. This method is used for flowering plants, as the resulting bushes are highly immune and abundant flowering throughout the season. This is due to the fact that in the process of growth, seedlings fully adapt to existing conditions.

To obtain flowering plants in late May - early June, sowing should be carried out in late December - early January, since at the initial stage the seedlings grow rather slowly.

Step by step guide to seed propagation:

• 3 days before planting, the soil must be disinfected with a bright pink solution of potassium permanganate or Previkur (10 ml per 7 liters of water), which will reduce the risk of root rot during the growth of seedlings;
• put a 1 cm drainage layer on the bottom of the container;
• fill containers with prepared soil and pour water;
• wait until the moisture is completely absorbed;
• level and compact the soil surface;
• spread the seeds at a distance of 2 cm from each other, slightly pressing them to the ground;
• cover the containers with glass or film;
• put on germination in a bright place at a temperature of 23–25 degrees;
• periodically ventilate the containers and remove the collected condensate.

Within 10-12 days, sprouts will appear.

With the friendly emergence of seedlings, the temperature of the content must be lowered to 20 degrees so that the seedlings do not stretch. In the future, it is necessary to control soil moisture, preventing overflow or drying out of the roots. Moisturizing the soil when the top layer dries up must be carried out from the spray gun, not forgetting to remove the condensate on the lid daily.

When 2 true leaves appear, it is necessary to adapt the seedlings to new conditions. To do this, on the first day they should be opened for 30–40 minutes, and every day this interval should be increased by 30 minutes. A week after the start of the procedure, the cover must be completely removed. After another 2 weeks, you can transplant plants in separate containers.

The more often you repot begonias as the seedlings grow, the faster they will grow and develop.

Tuber division

Tuberous species begonias can be propagated by dividing the tuber. This procedure should be carried out at the end of winter or at the beginning of spring, waiting for the sprouts to appear.

It is impossible to separate the tubers in the fall, otherwise they will die.

To divide the bulb, it is necessary to sharpen and disinfect the knife, which will prevent infection from entering fresh wounds. Cut the tuber into segments. Each of them must have a sprout. Sprinkle fresh cut wood ash or Fundazol. Plant each fragment obtained in a moist substrate, deepening by half. Make a transparent cap on top so that the soil does not dry out as it takes root.

As soon as the plants take root, get stronger and grow, it is necessary to adapt them to external conditions and remove the shelter. As the soil dries, it is recommended to moisten it with a spray bottle.

When the growth of seedlings reaches 7 cm, it is necessary to completely sprinkle the bulbs with earth. AT further plants you will need the same care as for an adult begonia.

By dividing the bush

The flower also propagates by dividing the bush, which does not present any particular difficulties and is suitable not only for professional flower growers, but also for beginners. To do this, you need to pull out the mother plant, remove all flower stalks, large sheets and stems, shake off some earth from the roots and cut the rhizome into pieces with a sharp knife. Each of them should have roots and a growing point.

It is necessary to powder the sections with crushed activated carbon to exclude the possibility of the development of pathogens, and plant the seedlings in separate containers. For better rooting experts recommend watering the plants with Kornevin's working solution in a proportion of 4 g per 4 liters of water. In the future, maintain soil moisture and, when the top layer dries up, irrigate, preventing overflow or drying of the root system.

When propagating begonias in any way, you need to understand that the strict implementation of the rules and recommendations will help you get the desired result: a beautiful flowering plant.

One of the most popular propagation methods among flower growers is cuttings. This method is simple (even beginners in floriculture can do it), fast (the first flowers at spring breeding will bloom already in August), when cuttings, all the signs of the mother plant are preserved (color, leaf color, flower shape and size, etc.).

Reference! A cutting is a separated part of a plant (leaf, shoot), and a cutting is vegetative reproduction with the help of a cutting.

General rules for breeding flowers

Cuttings can be made in the spring during the germination of tubers and in the fall before transplanting begonias from open ground. Depending on the season, some of the nuances of this process are determined.

So begonia tubers before spring cuttings should be taken from the wintering place, where they stayed for at least 3 months, already in early January (read how to properly store tuberous begonia in winter). Then place them in a container with soil, leave for several days at room temperature by watering regularly to restore water balance. After about a month, shoots will begin to appear, which can be cuttings after the appearance of the third leaflet on them.

Preparation of plant parts

In the spring, after the germination of begonia tubers, several cuttings with 3 leaves and a length of 10–12 cm are separated from the tuber. It is important to leave at least one shoot on the tuber for the further development of the mother plant. The cut points on the tuber are sprinkled charcoal or ashes, and the cut of the cutting can be treated with any root formation stimulator. For several hours, the cuttings should be dried in the open air.

And in the first days of September, before digging up the tubers, the upper part of the stem with leaves is cut off from an adult plant. A healthy, strong, without visible damage, non-flowering shoot 8–12 cm long is selected. The shoot is cut obliquely from the begonia bush with a sharp knife. The cut point must be below the node, and the shoot must have a leaf or a pair of leaves. The cutting is dried, treated with a stimulant and planted for rooting.

What is the best way to root a flower? Rooting in water is not the best good option for tuberous begonia, as the cuttings in most cases rot and die. So most often, young shoots are rooted in special peat tablets or in the ground.

Landing

To plant a young plant, it is necessary to use the soil bought in the store, or one of the options for a substrate prepared by oneself, which must be disinfected with fungicides or thermally:

• Soddy and deciduous land, sand, humus in a ratio of 2:1:1:1.
• 2 parts of peat, 2 parts of leafy soil, 1 part of sand and 0.5 parts of manure.
• Greenhouse land, peat, sand and manure in equal proportions.

As a container for tuberous begonia, it is better to use a low and shallow pot.: the distance from the edge of the pot to the tuber should not exceed 2 cm. We should not forget that the lower two-centimeter layer must be drainage from expanded clay or broken bricks.

The best planting method for young seedlings rooting in the ground is the transshipment method: the plant is taken out of the container and, without shaking off earthy coma, is placed in new pot. Upper layer soil at the stem is crushed by hand, the plant is watered and put in its place.

Important! It must be remembered that when planting it is impossible to deepen the root neck or the growing point of the seedling.

rooting

Rooting is the process of the appearance of the root system of the shoot cut from the mother plant.

1. For rooting cuttings, peat and sand should be used as a substrate in equal proportions or in a ratio of 1: 3. As an option: mix 1 part leafy earth, 1 part peat, 3 parts sand.
2. The substrate should be well moistened.
3. Deepen the cuttings into the substrate by 2 - 3 cm.
4. Water everything well.
5. Place the container with the cutting in the "greenhouse": high temperatures and humidity are simply necessary for rooting. Every day you should open the "greenhouse" and ventilate the cuttings to prevent them from rotting.

   As a "greenhouse" can be used plastic bag, Plastic container from under food products with a tight-fitting lid or a cut plastic bottle.

6. It is necessary to place the container with the handle in a bright place, but without direct sunlight, maintain a constant temperature of + 20C - + 22C.
7. After the first roots have appeared (after about 1 month), the "greenhouse" can be removed.
8. After the plant has grown stronger, it can be transplanted into a permanent pot.

Rooting is carried out similarly for cuttings cut in autumn.

During autumn cuttings, begonia shoots are planted in pots with a substrate to a depth of 4 cm and kept until spring as houseplants with moderate watering. It is possible that the stalk will shed its leaves for the winter, but the viability of the part of the shoot located in the ground will remain. In the spring, the rooted cutting is transplanted into a new container, and in the summer young plant will please with the first flowers.

How to care?

The first 3 days you should keep the young seedling in a shady place, and then rearrange it in a bright place, but you should avoid direct sunlight on the foliage of a young plant. Perfect option- north, northwest, northeast windows. It is believed that begonias need 16 hours of daylight, so in autumn - winter period seedlings just need additional lighting with a phytolamp.

The optimum temperature for the growth of begonias is + 20C - + 22C. A young plant is watered often, but little by little. It is important not to allow excessive moisture in the substrate, otherwise the begonia will die from decay. Spraying is not recommended: begonia does not like water droplets on leaves and flowers.

You can put a container of water next to the pot to increase the level of humidity in hot and dry weather, or place the pot in a tray covered with expanded clay, which must be periodically watered.

Top dressing is carried out by complex mineral fertilizers, bought in flower shops, from spring to autumn 1 - 2 times a month, and the first time after rooting, the young plant must be fed with nitrogen-containing fertilizers for active growth leaves and roots.

Possible diseases

• The leaves on the handle turned yellow and fell off.

  There's nothing wrong with that, it's natural process. If the plant takes root safely, it will definitely release new foliage.

• Decay of cuttings.

  This phenomenon is possible with excessive watering. Also, one should not forget about the daily airing of the "greenhouses" in which the plant is rooted.

• A young ampelous begonia shows signs of infectious diseases.

  For prevention similar phenomenon it is recommended to carry out disinfection of the soil, the pot in which the cuttings will be planted (treatment with fungicides, heat treatment). If, nevertheless, the plant is “sick”, then it must be treated with special preparations, be sure to isolate it from healthy plants in a well ventilated area.

• Sprouts stretch out, become long and thin.

  The plant does not have enough light. You can solve this problem by moving the pot with young begonia to a brighter place.

• Slow development of a young plant.

  Probably not enough escape nutrients. The solution is to fertilize the soil.

You can find out in detail about why tuberous begonia does not bloom and what to do, as well as what diseases can destroy a flower.

Tuberous begonia is considered the most unpretentious species among the Begonias. And the process of grafting this plant will not take much time for the grower and will not require large material and energy costs. But the result will surpass all expectations: household plot will be decorated lush bloom not one, but several plants.

Useful video

We invite you to watch a video about cuttings of tuberous begonia:

Tuberous begonia is well propagated by cuttings. Cutting begonias gives a significantly lower yield. planting material than at seed propagation, but ensures complete inheritance of traits, while when sown with seeds, they grow heterogeneous in color, shape and habit.

If you need to get cuttings of begonias, then in early January, the tubers germinate. Until then, they should be kept at rest for three months.

The uterine tubers are planted in pots fresh, light earth, and installed on the window. At the same time, they need to be shaded from the direct sun with parchment or gauze, or slightly covered with earth. upper part tubers with buds.

The tubers are watered and grown on the window (northern orientation is possible) at a temperature of + 18-20⁰С.

Cutting cuttings from tubers can be done twice.

The shoots developed from the tuber are used for cuttings. When sprouts 5-10 cm long appear, they are removed with a heel. They can also be simply broken out at the base by lightly pressing on them near the surface of the tuber, leaving one or two shoots on the plant to preserve the tuber.

Slices of cuttings are sprinkled with crushed coal (you can use tablets activated carbon or sulfur preparations), with the addition of root stimulants.

The cuttings are planted according to the scheme 5x5 cm in a humus-sandy substrate (in a ratio of 2: 1) cover glass jars and shade. They need light to grow actively. high humidity air. For 2-3 weeks, until the cuttings take root, high humidity must be maintained in these mini-greenhouses.

Roots usually form on the 20th day. After rooting, they are planted at a distance of 8-10 cm from each other, in a substrate of equal parts sheet or sod land, humus and sand in a ratio of 2:1:1. Containers with cuttings are placed in a bright place and maintain a temperature of 20-22°C. Cuttings provide meticulous care, which consists in regular fertilizing with organic and mineral fertilizers, and watering.

As a rule, cuttings plants do not have time to form tubers suitable for winter storage, so they are grown as flyers. It is advisable to grow valuable varieties in pots, which are added dropwise to the ground in the summer, and kept in autumn in room conditions. In the first year in winter, the stem does not die, so the plants are maintained at a slow growth rate until spring.

If you still plan to get tubers, in early September, the plants must be brought into the greenhouse for growing. The flowers are removed. During these periods, the begonia does not yet have time to form tubers, so it must be kept indoors until November, reducing watering. Then the stems are cut off, and the tubers, without being removed from the pots, are placed in winter storage.

In autumn, a thickening about 1 cm in diameter is formed at the base of the plant stem - the germ of the future tuber. They can be dug up and stored using special technology.

Propagation by stem cuttings

Tuberous begonia at home can also be propagated by stem cuttings.

To do this, in February - March, when 3 leaves appear on the sprouts, cuttings with two leaves are cut from them with a razor, cut off under the leaf node, or side shoots are broken out.

At the same time, a part of the sprout with one leaf is left on the tuber, otherwise the tubers may no longer germinate at all.

The resulting cuttings can be put in water or planted in a pot, deepened by 2 cm, after pouring a layer of calcined sand 3-4 cm thick. From above, the cuttings are covered with glass jars. After 15-20 days, when the roots are formed, they need to be picked into boxes or pots of a larger volume. Thus, it is possible to cut begonia and in summer time using specimens growing in the ground.

Autumn cuttings

In late August - early September, shortly before digging up begonias, all shoots with leaves are separated from the tubers of adult plants. Young begonias grown from seeds are unsuitable for cuttings.

Begonia cuttings are planted in pots with a fresh substrate to a depth of 3-4 cm and kept until spring in the light, like houseplants.

Watering should be moderate.

Since in winter the tuberous begonias have a dormant period, then in the newly planted cuttings, all the leaves, except for the apical ones, turn yellow and die. At the same time, the lower part of the cutting is compacted, corky and perfectly preserved in warm and humid conditions all winter (the above-ground part can dry out completely). In the spring, the remaining cuttings are planted in a fresh substrate for further cultivation.

Cuttings of ampelous begonias

In ampelous begonias, it is enough to leave the three strongest shoots on the plant, all the rest are cut into cuttings and rooted, arranging a mini-greenhouse for them. Young plants bloom in August.

In August, closer to autumn, stepchildren can be cut from adults blooming begonias. Rooted cuttings after wintering on a bright window bloom in May.