Begonia is called capricious southern beauty. But if you know how to properly care for her, then the beauty will become submissive and docile, stop naughty, and will long please the eye. Not by chance, begonia is one of the most popular plants, both for home and garden.
To date, there are more than a thousand varieties of begonias, and they continue to display with the help of selection. Begonia is easy to find out, no matter what kind it is, everything is beautiful in it: asymmetric leaves with veins, and bright flowers of different fancy colors.
Begonia is named after Michel Begone, who in 1687 led an expedition to the Antilles in the Caribbean to collect plants. Then flowers were found that could not be attributed to any previously known species.
Begonia is deciduous, bush and tuberous. The latter most often grows in gardens. Due to the huge number of varieties in ornamental gardening there is no uniform classification of begonias. The most popular variety in Russia is the royal begonia, one of the most unpretentious. But even trouble happens to her.
Why dry up?
Leaves at the edges
One of the most common problems in begonias is drying the leaves around the edges. To get rid of it and again to admire the beauty of begonias, you need to first determine the cause.
Causes of Leaves Drying:
- stress;
- improper conditions (dry air, sun, drafts);
- wrong watering schedule;
- lack of trace elements;
- diseases;
- pests.
On the forums, you can often find a story that the begonia began to dry the next day after it was presented, or simply transported from one room to another (about why begonia can dry and wilt, read here). Not surprising, because the plant has stress. It is at this moment that you need to be especially attentive to him and try to create the most comfortable conditions.
Most often, begonias have dry leaves on the edges due to improper care and inappropriate conditions. (about why begonias may turn yellow and dry leaves, it is written here). The plant may be too dry, especially if it is placed near thermal devices. Or too cold, if the temperature is below 18 degrees. Or too hot, if above 30 degrees. Do not like begonias and direct sunlight. She loves moisture, moderate lighting and constant warmth.
Begonia should be watered regularly and not allowed to completely dry the entire soil. But if you overdo it with watering, it will begin to turn yellow and rot. Spraying plant also does not like, from this often appear spots.
Spots and dry leaves can also be signs of begonia diseases. The most common are:
- Mealy dew.
- Gray rot.
- Ring and Bacterial Spotting. Insects often bring insects, such as aphids or thrips.
For each disease, its treatment:
- Mealy dew - a disease that is easy to recognize. At first the plant is as if sprinkled with flour, and after the white bloom covers the whole area of the leaf, it begins to dry out. A solution of foundationol or seastan may help.
- Gray rot - dried leaves, gray watery spots, mucus on the stem and flowers. Copper-soap solution, 1% Bordeaux solution and others are used for treatment.
Flowers
Flowers, like leaves, are prone to problems; they dry out and fall off for the same reasons: stress, poor care, dry conditions, or an excessively large amount of water. But especially you need to be careful with spraying, begonia does not like it at all, and the buds begin to dry out at all if moisture gets on them. But do not be afraid, if you follow simple rules, begonia will seem unpretentious.
Leaves and Buds
Instruction:
Moisten the air if it is dry. Simply place a container with water next to the plant if there are no special humidifiers.- Place the plant in a place where there is no direct sunlight.
- Take care of the temperature, it should be from 18 to 25 degrees.
- Check whether the flower has enough space in the pot. If the roots come to the surface, it needs a transplant.
- Look, whether the earth has spoiled, whether there are no insects, and whether the plant is ill.
- Use fertilizer and fertilizer.
Moisten the air if it is dry. Simply place a container with water next to the plant if there are no special humidifiers.Important! If the begonia blooms, you should not use fertilizers with high nitrogen content, it hurts her.
Preventive measures
Begonia loves heat and humidity. Despite the fact that she was born in hot countries, the direct sunlight kills her. It is better to place it where there is no bright light, but always a stable temperature and humidity of at least 60%. In addition to comfortable conditions, in order to avoid drying and disease, begonias need regular feeding, about 3 times a month, for this purpose liquid complex fertilizers or potassium nitrate are suitable. And do not forget about the usual, but the constant mode of watering.
We offer you to watch the video about begonia care:
What if the houseplant is dry?
If the begonia has dried completely, and the leaves and flowers, you should not throw it away, there is still a chance to save it:
- Check whether the roots are in order, if there are signs of rotting. Leave only healthy and plant in a new soil (old will have to be thrown away).
- Cut off all dry leaves and stems.
- Cover the pot with foil or bag.
- Put in optimal conditions and do not forget to feed.
If everything is done, that's right, then soon begonia will delight you again.
Do not panic, if the begonias have dried several lower leaves, this is a natural process of development, old die, new ones appear. But if the problem is serious, follow the simple rules and follow the optimum comfort conditions: light, humidity, temperature, standard complex fertilizers, and the plant will recover.
It is not difficult to care for begonia, it will suit even the most inexperienced beginner gardeners. It is not by chance that she is so loved in our country. Begonia cleans the air, a positive effect on the immune system, and does not cause allergies.
