Begonia decorative foliage and decorative blooming

Among all the plants that are grown on the windowsill, one of the most popular is decorative leaf begonia or leaf.

The variety of varieties is extremely wide, the color of the leaves is different in different species, although they all belong to the same family. The shape of the sheet and its color differ. Many grow different varieties, collecting entire collections. Begonia is very unpretentious, which is what the connoisseurs of indoor floriculture liked. The conditions for growing plants are the most common, yet some care rules must be observed. This article tells about how begonia leaf care grows and develops at home.

Origin and appearance

The beauty and attractiveness of this plant is in the magnificent lush bush of leaves, although in nature there is also a tree-like form. Moreover, not even the shape of the leaves is appreciated, which can be round, cut, with ragged edges or even twisted in a spiral. Ornamental deciduous begonias are primarily interesting for their varied coloration; silver, chocolate brown, and crimson specimens, and variegated with a combination of three colors in one sheet and covered with hairs, can coexist on the windowsill. The flowers of these begonias are simple, nondescript, collected in plain white or pinkish panicles.

In the world there are many varieties of this plant, all have unusually bright variegated leaves

Decorative begonia today is open in more than 1,500 species, all belong to the Begonia family. If we add hybrid varieties, we get more than 2 thousand varieties. Almost half of them are decorative leaf begonia. It is common on all continents where there are tropical and subtropical zones, except Australia. In nature, the plant grows in crevices of rocks, in moist and shady forests, along small shaded streams, sometimes in dry subtropical forests.

So usually deciduous begonia blooms

In the 19th century, begonia was found in other places and continents; it began to be bred in greenhouses, where an almost natural humid climate was recreated. The beauty begonia appeared in Russia at the beginning of the 19th century, having received the nickname "Napoleon's Ear" for its asymmetrical leaf shape, with a hint of the frostbitten part of the ear of the French conqueror.

Today begonia has long since become a flower that is bred on a gigantic scale, primarily in Belgium. More often it is a decorative begonia, but leafy forms are also numerous and loved.

In nature, everything is thought out and weighed: if the flower of the plant is catchy, bright, then it is a gift in itself, therefore, the rest of the time the plant can be plain. If the flower is so-so, pale, then it definitely has another charm - the leaves, this is just applicable to the decorative-deciduous species. In stock - catchy greens, bright, juicy and attractive, beautifully shaped leaf and drawing on it. Unlike tuberous begonias, leafy blooms are not very long and not so powerful, although the efforts of breeders have bred varieties in which flowering is quite long and plentiful.

Species and varieties

Even those who are not interested in plants have heard the name "royal begonia". It can often be found on home windowsills, because, despite the status name, this beautiful flower is completely unpretentious and easy to care for.

In Soviet times, Rex begonia was sold for some reason under the name Charm, it was widespread everywhere. Today, many amateur gardeners in Russia and Ukraine are engaged not only in breeding, but also in their own selection of these plants.

Among the most popular varieties include:

• Royal begonia, or Rex begonia - leaves are two - or three-colored. It grows widely, leaf plates can reach a width of 25, a length of 30 cm;
• Bauer begonia - among all begonias, it has the most fun spotted color, slightly jagged leaves;

This is one of the most common begonias in home gardening.

• Mason Begonia is a plant native to New Guinea. The coloring of its leaves is interesting, on which a semblance of a dark brown Maltese cross on a green background is clearly visible. The flowers are whitish-beige, small;
• Cleopatra is a very popular variety with carved green leaves that are reddish on the back. The flowers are small, whitish;
• Collared begonia - received its name because of the shaggy frame at the base of the leaf, it is distinguished by the pleasant appearance of neat small flowers and green leaves growing in a medium-sized rosette;

The decoration of this plant is not only leaves, but also a pink flower brush

• Red-leaf begonia - it is distinguished by medium-sized thick fleshy stems and green leaf colors, which on the back are intensely colored in red;
• Hogweed begonia - the leaves of this plant can be reddish-brown and bright green, the inflorescences are pinkish. She came out of the tropics of Mexico, Brazil and South India;
• Spotted begonia is one of the tallest species, it is distinguished by the spotting and contrast of green leaves and spots on them. There are many colors;

Royal begonia is particularly bright and attractive leaves

• Lucerne begonia is a lianike plant with erect leaves, artificially bred. Combines beautiful leaves with decorative flowering.

Transplant after purchase in pots

Experienced gardeners advise transplanting a plant from a purchased pot into new soil. So it will take root faster and will develop better. It is important not to transplant in color. If even the plant does not bloom, you should not rush either - you need to transplant it, a couple of weeks after they brought a new tenant to the house.

What you need for landing

For a transplant you will need:

• a pot, preferably clay;
• sand - it is slightly poured as drainage at the bottom of the pot;
• soil mixture of half peat or humus and deciduous land.

Optimal place

This plant does not like the abundance of light, especially since it can not be exposed to the sun immediately after planting. Burns can occur on the leaves, in general, a lot of sun is not good for the plant.

The plant loves shaded window sills, garden conditions in the summer or take-out to the balcony it does not tolerate

Step-by-step landing process

Propagation of decorative and deciduous begonias is simple. Since the flower is unpretentious, it easily takes root, if done correctly. About how this plant reproduces:

1. Propagation by cuttings is the easiest and most common way. Cuttings from an adult plant are cut off, the cut place is treated with activated crushed coal and sprinkled with earth. The soil mixture should consist in equal proportions of sand, peat and deciduous land. In this state, the plant should stand until the roots appear. It is constantly watered, preventing the drying of an earthen coma. Rooting usually occurs one month after planting. It can also take root in water, if the cut stalk is put in the protected water. After the roots appear, it can be planted in the ground.
2. Leaf propagation - cut the leaf, put it on moist soil and grab it, crushing it with pebbles from above. After a couple of weeks, the roots begin to form from the leaf.
3. The division of the bush is carried out in the event that roots have formed on the creeping stem of the plant in places of contact with the ground. A part of the plant is cut off with a sharp knife near this place, the cut is treated with activated carbon, and then it is planted in a separate pot in the soil.
4. Growing from seeds is a more complicated method, as the seeds germinate slowly. Snow is put in the prepared soil (planting should be done in January), seeds are scattered on the snow, so that with the melting of the snow they themselves go into the soil. Then cover with glass and watered with a spray. With the advent of two real sheets, a dive is carried out and seated.

Deciduous Begonia Care

Decorative leafy begonia in home care is unpretentious. It must be watered, avoiding excessive drying of the soil. However, the plant does not need excessive moisture. In winter, make watering more moderate.

This plant does not tolerate spraying from the spray. Even a slight hit of water during irrigation on the leaves gives a change in their color.

Caring for this plant is quite simple: water it on time, fertilize it and keep it away from direct sunlight. Young plants should be replanted once a year, older ones - once a couple of years, so that they grow better and the soil is not depleted. If you take care and care for the flower, it will always delight you with beautiful lush leaves and modest but charming flowering.