Begonia is a herbaceous flower, dividing into perennial and annual species. It is very popular not only because of its unpretentiousness, but also because of the huge variety of species and varieties that are so loved by gardeners and gardeners, and residents of apartment buildings.
In this article we will analyze the types and varieties of annual and perennial begonias, their lifetimes and possible causes of death, the rules of care and nuances in growing, as well as their use:
There are about two thousand species of this plant. Begonia grows in different ways:
- in the form of creeping herbs;
- in the form of tall bushes;
- in the form of dwarf shrubs.
Each method has its own distinctive features. So, let us analyze the peculiarities of annual and long-lived begonias.
One year old
This is a beautiful decorative leafy and garden flower that has won the admiration and love of many gardeners.
- Ease of care;
- Unpretentiousness;
- Diversity;
- Amazing beauty bloom.
Thanks to these attractive features Begonia has taken place not only in private plots, but also has become a popular houseplant. Is it possible to keep the plant at home, read our article.
Kinds
The number of plant species of the Begonia family is about 900 and the same number of hybrid forms. Hybrid varieties of begonias won the greatest love of amateur growers:
- decorative leafy;
- tuberous;
- bush.
At home, the flower is usually grown as an ampelous composition, that is, in flowerpots, baskets and pots, or as a single indoor plant in a pot. The period of continuous flowering of ampelous begonia - from spring to autumn. The following types of begonias are popular for home cultivation.:
Ampelnaya
- Flowering from spring to autumn is continuous.
- The shoots are thin, dropping HB 30-50 cm.
- The leaves are bright green.
- Male and female inflorescences are large, cascading up to 8 cm in diameter.
- Each blooming bud blooms about 10 days.
- Requires diffused sunlight and air temperature from 18 to 20 ° C.
Tuberous
- It has a tuberous rhizome.
- Abundant flowering.
- The shape of the branches is similar to the shape of a peony, a rose or a carnation.
- Primary colors: white, red, pink, as well as two-tone or transitional shades.
Graceful
- Vienna begonia - the second name.
- Height is 15-20 cm.
- The flowers are pale pink or shiny white.
- Foliage bright green.
- The systematic removal of wilted leaves and flowers is recommended.
Lifetime
The fact is that Begonia's lifespan depends on care. Often, after the begonia has faded, the tubers prefer to throw it out (about what to do next, if the tuber and non-tuberous begonias have bloomed, you can find out here). But no matter what kind of begonia, it does not tolerate cold, so it is better to transplant them into the house. In winter, the tubers are sent to a cool place. So you can ensure the plant longevity. In evergreen species, a rest period is weakly pronounced. In fact, it can be said that there are no annual begonias. They are simply often grown for flowering as annuals.
Causes of quick death
If a long-term begonia has lived for only a year, moreover, it has not sprouted in spring, the reason is the violation of storage conditions.
Reference! Another good reason for the death of a plant can be wear of the tuber.
To stimulate the active growth of the plant tubers, it is recommended to divide. This will help it grow and grow well. There are cases when begonia does not bloom for a long time (about why begonia does not bloom and how to get the buds, read our article) What to do if this happens?
It is possible that they were “put to sleep” too much during storage in winter. And to wake up, they need a long time. It can take up to two months. In such cases, it is recommended to use such solutions for spraying, such as "Epin" or "Zircon". They act on the plant as growth promoters.
Perennial
In another way it is called the ever-flowering beauty. Long-lived begonia pleases the eye with an abundance of beautiful flowers all summer long. If you live in an honest sector, where there is a possibility of planting flowers, it will not be so difficult to care for begonia. With proper care, your work will be rewarded with beautiful flower buds, blooming one after another throughout the summer.
Compared with the flowering begonia of just one year, the garden perennial is a fastidious tuberous plant:
- does not tolerate direct sunlight;
- for planting prefers shady places;
- tubers are not cold-resistant;
- recommended to land in June.
Externally, it can be distinguished by its thick stalk of a large size and by its tender, smooth leaves.
Sorta
The predominant shades of flowers begonias: red, pink, white. The male flower is fourfold, and the female flower consists of three petals (for signs of male flowers on the plant, as well as other varieties of begonias, you can find out here). Seeds ripen and are stored in dark brown boxes.
From a perennial representative of begonias, about 600 varieties of different heights, color of leaf plates, as well as the shape of the flowers themselves, are derived. These species are represented mainly by heterotic hybrids:
- hybrids undersized 15-20 cm;
- hybrids sredneroslye 20-30 cm;
- tall hybrids up to 50 cm.
Sadovaya
Garden landscape design usually involves the use of three types of begonias with an abundance of their varieties. Tuberous begonia - 30 cm high. A huge abundance of shades terry and non-double flowers of large sizes. Separated flowers, and on the same plant can bloom both male and female. Plant root in the form of a fleshy tuber.
This type of begonia has flowers with a diameter of 6-20 cm. Flower shapes also vary, they can resemble roses, lotuses, anemones and carnations. There is also a separate species of begonias with an ampelous growth form, the long bushy shoots of which are covered with multicolored clouds of flowers.
Garden begonias are widely used by landscape architects in different countries mainly in the design of color compositions of parks. Particularly attracts the attention of landscape design with flowerpots planted with tuberous begonias. Such compositions look good in a frame of flowerbeds and on lawns.
Begonias in the garden are perfectly combined with lawn grasses, curbing:
- surfinia;
- iberis;
- lobelia;
- lobularia.
Reference! Also, it will be amazing to decorate the territory of begonia next to low-growing shrubs that will provide it with a shade.
Care rules
After finding out how long-term it is or not, carefully study the requirements of care.
First of all, you need to remember that the plant needs to be prepared for winter storage: gradually stop watering, feed up, bring garden begonia only from the first frost.
Begonia is a fast-growing and maintenance-free plant. Yet Some nuances in the care of begonia should be considered:
- heat-loving plant: even in winter, the temperature should not be below 15 degrees;
- It does not tolerate direct sunlight, but loves it when it is light;
- when planting on the street prefers shady places, and at home - light;
- in the summer, begonia standing on the windowsill will be better shaded during the heat;
- during the summer period it is plentiful to be watered once every three days, but in no case should not be poured in order to avoid brown spots on the leaves;
- transplantation time 1 time per year in the spring (about how to transplant begonia and what kind of follow-up care for the plant, we wrote here);
- liquid mineral fertilizers can affect the plant as a top dressing 2 times a month;
- the garden plant needs to be tied up so that the stem does not break from a large number of flowers;
- cold water for irrigation is not allowed, as begonia can throw off the leaves.
To finally understand the care of begonia, watch the video:
Begonia is famous as a natural filter for smoke lovers. The smell of begonias helps in cleansing the bronchi. That is why this plant is not only beautiful, but at the same time very useful (what are the beneficial and harmful properties of begonia?).
