Royal begonia is considered a fairly popular indoor plant. A flower is able to decorate any room. Flower growers especially liked the royal variety, which is often referred to as the "pig's ear" and Rex begonia.
Description
The root system of the royal begonia is quite powerful and creeping. The stems of a houseplant covered with reddish bristles are fleshy and small in size. Large foliage is asymmetric. Sheet plates are painted in bright colors:
- green;
- scarlet;
- crimson;
- lilac;
- purple;
- silver.
Rex variety
Veins stand out in contrast. In this, the begonia of escargots resembles her.
Due to the bright coloring of the foliage and its rough surface, the temperature of the sheet plate rises, which provokes the evaporation of a large amount of moisture. Culture is developing rapidly. Against the background of asymmetrically arranged foliage, sunlight is evenly distributed. The diameter of pink flowers barely reaches 1 cm. The flowering period is short. After that, seeds begin to form inside small fruits.
Landing at home
Royal begonia needs proper lighting. Diffused sunlight should fall on the foliage. Begonia Rex is difficult to tolerate hot days. It is important to provide the plant with a room temperature in the range of 25-26 ° C. In the winter months, the temperature regime should not go beyond 16-18 ° C. The recommended humidity level is 48-50%.
Soil preparation
Each landing container must have good drainage holes. A drainage layer is poured onto the bottom of the pot. Only after this can the tank be filled with nutritious soil intended for growing Uzambara violet. If you wish, you can independently prepare the soil mixture at home. To do this, mix:
- sheet earth;
- peat soil;
- coarse river sand;
- a small percentage of coconut substrate;
- pine bark.
Important! Seedlings are carefully planted in previously dug holes and sprinkled with a layer of earth on the root system.
Home Care
Caring for the royal begonia (Begonia - Latin name) is not difficult. She needs a systematic soil moisture. However, watering the flowers is necessary only when the top layer of the earth dries. On hot summer days it is advisable to spray the green mass.
Perennial composition
Top dressing
In the absence of a systematic application of fertilizer to the soil, one can not expect abundant flowering from begonias. The introduction of complex feeding is carried out at the end of March. It should include:
- nitrogen;
- phosphorus;
- potassium.
Important! In the summer, such top dressing is applied in combination with phosphorus fertilizer. This allows you to effectively stimulate the growth of the root system.
Pruning
Begonias require systematic pruning. This procedure and pinching allow you to achieve:
- lush flowering;
- rejuvenation effect;
- aesthetic appearance.
The rapid growth of decorative culture provokes the rapid drawing of flowers. If pruning is not carried out, begonia will cease to delight with flowering, and there will be no trace of magnificent attractiveness.
As soon as the height of the plant reaches 7 cm, you can proceed to the first pruning. The crown can be formed taking into account the own wishes of the owner of the flower. After pruning, the frequency of irrigation is reduced to the start of a period of active growth. To awaken the lateral buds, experts recommend trimming the tops of the lateral shoots that exceed a height of 10 cm. Drying processes are removed without regret.
Note! Incorrect plant formation can be corrected by plucking the lower shoots and upper processes.
To trim yourself at home, it is recommended to use a sharp knife. To avoid purulent processes and accelerate the healing process of sections, it is necessary to treat them with phytosporin or crushed coal.
How to provide flowering at home
To achieve lush and prolonged flowering, it is necessary to remove female inflorescences at the time of growing buds. To distinguish female from male, you will need to carefully consider the inflorescences. The largest and terry ones belong to the male category, and ordinary small inflorescences with three-bladed seed boxes are a female variety. Such a trick allows you to achieve a chic flowering decorative culture at home.
When growing a royal begonia, some problems may arise, against which the Rex variety ceases to delight with flowering or, having typed the buds, immediately drops them. This situation may arise due to:
- insufficient lighting;
- low air humidity;
- inappropriate temperature conditions;
- drafts;
- hard watering;
- lack of top dressing;
- the need for rejuvenation of the bush.
After analyzing the conditions of the content of flowers, you can determine the error and correct it.
Exquisite plant
Note! Fading inflorescences and spoiled leaves must be removed, this will preserve the beautiful appearance of the culture.
Breeding
To obtain new processes of the royal begonia, you can use several methods of reproduction. Below are the methods of reproduction and features of their application.
Tuber division
Before planting begonia tubers in pots, flower growers recommend that they be carefully examined. In the case of the presence of eye buds on tubers, one can start their separation in order to obtain new begonia bushes. How to do it:
- Divide the tubers that are suitable for the parameters into several parts, using a sharp sterilized knife for this purpose. At least one kidney should remain on each tuber.
- Sprinkle slices with chopped charcoal. To dry them.
- Plant the obtained tuber segments in pots filled with nutrient soil. Tubers need only be half deepened.
- As soon as the height of the emerged sprouts reaches 6-7 cm, it is necessary to plant the seedlings in larger containers.
Cuttings
The cuttings method can be used for propagation in the spring and autumn months. It is possible to cut begonias with stems or foliage.
Stalks:
- Cut obliquely stem segments, the length of which is 6-7 cm.
- The lower part of the segments for 5 minutes. placed in a jar filled with a small amount of epin or zircon.
- Cuttings are planted in containers filled with a sand-peat mixture.
- Containers are transferred to the shaded area. The soil is systematically moistened.
- Rooting cuttings occurs 5-7 weeks after planting.
- As soon as the roots appear, you can start transplanting seedlings into separate containers.
Perennial seedlings
Leaves:
- Cut with a sharp knife across a well-developed, healthy leaf along with the petiole.
- Dip each tip of the petiole in a solution of epin or zircon.
- Petioles are buried under a slight slope in a light, well-moistened soil. It should be borne in mind that the base of the leaves should not be in contact with the soil surface.
- Pots with leaves are transferred to a warm and well-lit room. After 14-15 days, roots begin to form at the base of the foliage.
- Transplant each leaf in separate containers filled with moistened soil. Pots for a couple of weeks in a shaded place. After a specified period of time, return them to a brighter room.
Seed way
The seed propagation method is ideal when it is necessary to reproduce in the cold season.
- Pour a mixture of sheet soil, peat and river sand into the pots.
- Soil mix to moisten.
- Distribute the seed over the surface of the soil. Each seed must be slightly pressed into the ground.
- Cover containers with fits of film material.
- Remove film systematically for ventilation.
- The first shoots will appear in a couple of weeks. After a month, you can dive seedlings in separate cups.
For your information! Flowering of young seedlings begins already in the year of planting.
What plants look like Rex begonia
Begonia Rex vaguely resembles plants by type:
- roses;
- cloves;
- fuchsias;
- violets.
Growing a royal begonia is an exciting process. An amazing plant is not only endowed with an attractive appearance. Royal begonia is able to purify the air and give people who care for flowers, strength and ability to overcome the most difficult situations.
