Begonia: how and what to water the plant at home?

Begonia is a beautiful plant, which since the 17th century has been a regular on the windowsills of Russian houses. It was at this time that the flower was introduced into our country and since then the fashion for it has not passed.

But how could it be otherwise, because there are a huge number of all kinds of varieties, colorings of the plant that will not leave anyone indifferent. Every year, new hybrid species of begonia appear, there are already more than 2 thousand.

Plant description

Begonia is a beautifully flowering tuberous plant, up to 30 cm high. Subdivided into the main two subspecies: decorative foliage, decorative blooming. Begonia colors are: from light pink, yellowish, white to scarlet, dark red. Also, inflorescences can combine several shades at once.

The begonia bloom from July to the end of November. Some varieties bloom year round.

Care

This houseplant is not capricious, however, it requires proper self-care. If you adhere to simple rules, the result will be a gorgeous, long flowering.

1. Begonias love intense lighting. A suitable place for her in the house is a window sill on the south side. On hot days, it is necessary to obscure the bright sunlight to avoid burns, since the leaves are quite tender. In the winter season, additional light is needed.
2. The temperature of the room in which the plant is located should be in the range +20 to + 24 ° С, in the cold season not lower than + 16 ° С. Begonia prefers moist air. Daily ventilation is also required, but the flower is extremely afraid of drafts. Temperature changes can adversely affect it. In the warm season, begonias are taken outside.
3. Soil for a houseplant is chosen special, suitable for this particular species. The composition includes a mixture of peat, river sand, mineral fertilizers. The soil must have drainage properties. It is worth replacing begonia if necessary, but not more than 1 time per year in early spring. Also in the spring they are engaged in its reproduction.
4. To improve the flowering process, crown formation, rejuvenation of the plant, pruning is necessary. The flower is given the correct beautiful shape, cutting off the elongated shoots. This procedure is also performed if necessary.

The importance of the procedure

A key role in rational care at home for begonia belongs to watering. The flower belongs to tropical varieties, prefers moist soil, but can’t stand fluid stagnation in a flowerpot.

How to properly water the plant at home? It is important to water the plant evenly. In addition to moist earth, begonia loves humid indoor air, but without spraying. When water drops fall on the plant, the leaves become covered with brown spots.

To humidify the air, you can use a spray to spray liquid or put a household humidifier. In winter, a container of water is placed next to the begonia, the liquid evaporates and moisturizes the air. You can find tips on plant care in the winter here.

What to water: water treatment

Before you start watering begonias, you must first prepare the water. Tap water will not work, it has increased rigidity. At first pass the liquid through the filter or resort to simple boiling. Thus, the water will become softer, and at the same time get rid of chlorine, impurities.

The process of filtering tap water is also done in this way: 1 kg of peat should be dissolved in 10 liters of liquid. Water becomes soft and acidified.

It is also good to water the begonia with settled water with the addition of a few drops of lemon juice or citric acid.

Fertilizers

Begonia needs to be fed during growth.. Fertilizers stimulate growth, promote the growth of green mass, and increase the flowering time. Read about how to feed begonia for abundant flowering here, and what to do if the plant does not bloom, you will learn in this article.

Mineral fertilizers are often used, which are easy to purchase in stores:

• Liquid fertilizer "Garden of Miracles. Begonia". The drug contains a complex of nutrients for full development and growth. Fertilizer increases the plant's resistance to such fungal diseases: powdery mildew, late blight, root rot and others. Apply with spring and summer 1 time in 10-14 days. In winter, 1 time per month. Dosage of 2 caps per liter of liquid.
• Root top dressing "Bona Forte" for begonia. It is used for depleted soil and to increase the immunity of plants. Contains nutrients for flowers. Consumption rate - 10 ml per 1.5 liters of water, apply when watering. The period of use is not more than 90 days.
• Mineral fertilizer "Master" for flowering plants. The drug promotes the natural growth of begonias. Improves decorative properties, enhance the color of inflorescences and foliage. Method of application: dissolve 1 cap of bait in a liter of liquid. Apply once a week, once a month in winter.

Recommendations

1. Watering the plant in a flowerpot should be in moderation so that no liquid stands on top of the soil.
2. It is recommended to irrigate daily at the same time, preferably in the morning. The frequency of irrigation directly depends on the temperature in the room.
3. In the heat, abundant watering is necessary, otherwise the leaves will begin to fade. If the soil is completely dry, you should soak the pot in water for a couple of hours.
4. In the winter season, water only when the land in the pot is dry. It is better to moisten the soil at this time with warm water. The plant is in a state of sleep, excess moisture is useless.
5. After watering, be sure to loosen the top layer to saturate the soil with oxygen. A depth of 1 cm will be enough.
6. During the laying of buds and flowering begonia gives all the power to inflorescences. That's when watering should be generous. At the end of flowering, water in the previous mode.
7. For the irrigation process, the immersion method is used. To do this, you need a container with liquid in a volume larger than a flowerpot with a flower. We drop the begonia into it and leave it for a while, until the soil through the drainage holes is saturated with water.

How to save a drenched flower?

A common cause of death of houseplants is soil gulf. Watering the flowers, of course, is necessary, but everything is good in moderation.

If there is a lot of moisture in the pot, the begonia roots cannot breathe, and the process of decay begins. Also, excess water can lead to mold, the development of fungal diseases.

The first signs that the soil is waterlogged:

• the stalk becomes soft;
• mold appears on the ground;
• the plant fades;
• the leaves turn yellow and fall.

If these signs are evident, it is urgent to save the flower:

1. The first action is to remove the begonia from the pot. To crush the roots from the soil, wipe them dry with a paper towel. Carefully inspect the root system. If they are healthy, you should plant the flower in another pot, without adding fertilizer to the soil.
2. In the case when the roots are soft and rotten, you need to wipe them and cut off the unhealthy areas. Next, transplant begonia into a new pot. At first, do not water.
3. If begonia has lost several leaves, and the soil smells of rot, you need to change the soil. In most cases, new leaves will not be long in coming.

Flower Bay is a serious problem that can lead to the loss of a plant. To avoid this, worth buying a home soil moisture meter.

Another way to control humidity is with a pencil dipped in the ground. If the pencil is dry, then it’s time to water the earth. With optimal watering, begonia will have amazing beauty.

Watch the video: Indoor Begonia Care Guide . Garden Answer (May 2024).