Among the many varieties of ornamental plants used to color balconies and terraces, there can only be one begonia: easy to grow and requiring only a little care, it produces flowers of a thousand colors and spreads a delicious scent in the air. One of its strengths is that it also lives very well in a pot, so it adapts to small spaces and is perfect for those who don’t have a large garden where they can give vent to their green thumb. Let’s find out how to make begonia grow lushlyfrom exposure to the amount of water needed to wet it.
Begonia, the characteristics of the plant
There begonia (Begonia) is an ornamental plant of tropical origin, belonging to the Begoniaceae family. Approximately 1,900 botanical species are known, to which must be added the no less numerous horticultural cultivars and hybrids. This plant is native to the hot and humid tropical regions of South and Central America, but has now also spread to tropical Africa and Southeast Asia. Little by little, some varieties have emerged suitable for colder and drier climateseven growing at over 3,000 meters above sea level, in the Andes mountain range and in the Himalayan mountain range.
Arriving in Europe in the early 18th century, the begonia quickly developed popular among gardening enthusiasts. It is in fact very resistant, adaptable to various types of climate, not requiring too much space to grow and above all particularly decorative. The plant usually grows to about 30-40 cm in height, and in most species it flowers towards mid-spring, surviving the summer unscathed and losing its flowers only towards the beginning of autumn. The flowering is very suggestive and can be of different colors: from pink to red, from white to yellow and orange.
How to plant begonia
If you have decided to try your hand at growing begonia, some simple information on this plant will come in handy. First of all, you should know that there are small differences in the care of various species of begonia: However, in most cases the main needs are the same. To grow a potted plant, you will need to get the right container and fill it with the right type of soil. It is better to prefer the soft, uniformly moist and well-draining one, rich in organic substances important for the development of the plant.
Planting begonia
You can buy one seedling already grown from your trusted nursery and plant it in a larger pot, or simply buy the tubers and plant it yourself. After preparing the pot and the soil, dig a small hole about 2-3 cm deep and place the tubers in, leaving the sunken part upwards, then cover everything and water abundantly. You can also use one of the fast germination techniques to overcome the first – and most delicate – stages of plant development. The best time for sowing it runs from late winter to early spring, depending on the climate.
Ideal exposure and temperatures
If you intend to keep the begonia on the terrace or balcony, find them a well-lit corner but protected from direct sunlight. You can leave it exposed in the morning or late afternoon, but avoid the central hours of the day which are the hottest. If, however, you want to grow it in an apartment, the ideal place is a window sill exposed to the sun only during the warmest hours of the day, but away from radiators. As for the better temperature, begonia grows well between 18° and 24°C. It is always best to avoid sudden changes and extreme temperatures.
How to grow begonia
Once you plant your begonia, you will have to take care of it to make it grow luxuriant and guarantee splendid flowering. As we have already mentioned, it does not require particular attention and is quite easy to cultivate, even if you are not exactly a god skilled gardeners. Let’s find out how much water it needs, how to fertilize it and when to prune, to improve its productivity.
Irrigation
Let’s start fromirrigation: begonia is a tropical plant, so it needs a rather humid environment. For this reason it is good to wet the soil regularly, watering it on average a couple of times a week. In winter, obviously, reduce watering. Be careful not to exceed the quantities, to prevent the roots from rotting. Good draining soil and careful watering – that is, only when the earth seems almost completely dry – can prevent many problems. Also avoid excessively watering the leaves, to reduce the risk of fungal diseases.
Fertilization
Also there fertilization it is an important step to have plants in perfect health and lush blooms. Fertilization of the soil should be started about a month after sowing or planting the begonia: you can use a specific granulated fertilizer for this plant, or a liquid fertilizer to be diluted in irrigation water about once every 10 days. During the winter, however, you can suspend fertilization. Always choose high quality productssuitable for begonias.
Pruning
The begonia is a plant with rather limited growth and which does not need particular pruning interventions. All you need to do is regularly remove dead, wilted or damaged leaves to ensure that the plant is always in good health. If you want to encourage its flower production, in the month of March – if the period of late frosts is now over – you can trim the apical branches, so as to guarantee a new growth of lateral shoots. Likewise, you can intervene if the plant has become too large and is coming out of the pot.
Is begonia poisonous?
Well yes, begonia can be toxic, especially for children and pets. The sap contained in the leaves and stem can trigger contact dermatitis, so it is best to wear gloves when handling the plant. Furthermore, both the sap and the roots can cause rather strong gastrointestinal symptoms if ingested: therefore be careful with dogs and cats, because they could escape your control and present problems such as vomiting and diarrheasometimes even with the presence of blood.
