How to care for ampelic begonia?

Begonia is a universal plant whose beauty touches everyone. The flower is used in landscaping of parks, squares, for decorating balconies, loggias, terraces. As a decor for shop windows, hanging vases, columns, as well as for the consciousness of the unique interior in the house.

With ease you can find a variety that will appeal to you. Indeed, in nature there are more than 900 species of begonias, not to mention hybrid varieties, of which more than 2 thousand.

What is it and the history of the plant

Begonia was brought to our continent at the end of the 17th century. Its homeland is considered the wild nature of India, South America, Asia. This beautiful flower was discovered by Charles Plumier, a researcher in botany. Since then, begonia has been widely sought after by everyone, from amateurs to professional breeders. Although at first only decorative leafy varieties were cultivated, and after two centuries they drew attention to ever-flowering species. This interest is not in vain, because the plant has an unpretentious character, long flowering, bright colors.

Botanical features

Ampel begonia is distinguished by long thin shoots, which are abundantly strewn with small flowers. Depending on the size of the inflorescences, ampere begonias are:

• large-flowered, in diameter 10-15cm;
• small-flowered, 3-5cm in size.

The length of the shoots reaches 40 cm, and there are varieties hanging down to 80 cm. The lifespan of one inflorescence is up to 10 days.

Begonia has bisexual flowers. Men's - large, bright, with terry or semi-double texture. Female inflorescences are small and have a simple shape. Under uncomfortable conditions for the plant, flowers sprinkle, as a result, the decorative look is lost.

Reference! Drop-down varieties of ampel begonia look good when decorating street vertical structures. This is due to the long flowering of the plant, which begins in mid-May and lasts until the end of November. And hybrid varieties remain attractive even with the onset of small frosts.

Names of varieties and their photos

Tuberous

It is a hybrid flower that was obtained by crossing several plant species native to the mountainous regions of the Andes. It is characterized by yellow, apricot, light pink colors with red lines. Terry inflorescences and semi-double, with a diameter of about 15cm.

A characteristic way of propagation of these flowers is the formation of a tuber or similar root system. After the flowering period ends, the aerial part of the plant dies. You will find more nuances about tuberous begonia here.

Bolivian

Belongs to the genus of tuberous plants. It grows up to half a meter, and the shoots hang down 90cm. The foliage is bright green, serrated. Inflorescence color: orange, red, white, pale pink. Bolivian begonia is an annual plant, with lush branching, good growth. They feel good in a small amount of soil.

This species occupies a leading position in industrial floriculture. The main number of begonias of the Bolivian variety are hybrids that reproduce vegetatively, but there are subspecies that are grown by seed. The most common types of ampel Bolivian begonia:

• "Santa Cruz."
• Bonaparte.
• "Sunset."
• Million Cruise.

How and where to plant?

The optimal time for planting ampelic begonia is considered the end of February - the beginning of March. During this period, the vegetative process in the plant begins. If you tighten with planting, flowering will not be earlier than the month of August.

Maternal planting material must be young, dense, small in size, without mold and rot.

Previously, it is worth picking up containers for landing. Flowerpots should be small, possibly made of clay, with a drainage layer at the bottom. It is important that the soil in the pot is neither cold nor wet. It is necessary to plant the plant gently, without pressing down strongly or pressing, since the planting material is fragile. At the end of the planting process, the plant should be moistened, but the main thing is not to pour. You can find out more about planting and subsequent care for ampel begonia here.

Where to place the flower?

Ampel begonia prefers bright sunlightbut not scorching. For burns on the leaves are possible. For a comfortable place, a window sill on the south side is suitable. The plant should be placed on a high stand, or suspended in a pot. Glazed loggias, terraces or balconies where there is intense light are not bad for begonias.

Important! The lack of lighting threatens the flower by stretching the shoots and the complete absence of a flowering period.

Soil requirements

Usually the soil for the plant is slightly salted. To cook it:

1. You should take equal portions of turf, deciduous land and sand.
2. All components to mix.
3. In order to avoid the development of fungal diseases introduced with the soil, each of its components must be calcined for 30 minutes.

It is important that the soil is loose, breathable, enriched with micronutrients. In the absence of the ability to prepare the soil with your own hands, you can buy a primer mix for ampel begonia in garden stores.

Care

To obtain good results in the process of growing ampelous begonia, the following conditions must be created:

• The optimum temperature and humidity regime in the room should be at the level of + 18-22 ° С, humidity 50-70%. In winter, it is important to reduce the temperature to + 15 ° C. However, it is during this period that you need to be careful, because the main fungal diseases develop in cold and moist soil.
• Between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. to evening, begonias need sunlight. In the cold season, when daylight is short, the plant needs an additional light source.
• Humidification is moderate, do not allow the plant to flood with water. In the hot season, watering should be daily. In winter, moisten minimally.
• From the beginning of spring to autumn, it is important to feed the flower. Especially during flowering, fertilizers with a high content of potassium and phosphorus. Twice a year, you can feed organic fertilizers. Begonia code is at rest, it is not worth feeding.
• If necessary, pick up dried flowers, loosen the soil, spray, remove dust from the leaves, inspect the plant for pests.

You will find all the details about planting and caring for ampel begonia in a separate material.

Diseases and harmful insects

Ampel begonias are not painful plantsHowever, anything happens. Most often, flower troubles occur as a result of improper care.

• Excess moisture is especially harmful to the plant. After abundant hydration, fluid stagnation is possible. This leads to rotting of the root system, disruption in its operation, then the negative process spreads to the foliage. The leaves also begin to dry, rot.

  In such an environment, gray rot feels great. It is difficult to deal with this phenomenon, but it is possible. Apply special solutions of fungicides, as well as 1% Bordeaux liquid.

• But the increased humidity in the room and the complete absence of ventilation cause the development of powdery mildew, which is characterized by a white coating on the begonia leaves. If measures are not taken in time, the plant, starting from the leaves, dries. With this misfortune should be combated with the help of fungicides or self-prepared solution. Namely:
  1. litere of water;
  2. 20 g tar oil;
  3. 20 g of copper sulfate.

  This mixture should be sprayed on a diseased flower.

• Another disease is dangerous for ampel begonia - bacterial spotting. Signs of it:
  1. the plant becomes covered with watery spots, which soon become brown;
  2. inflorescences and shoots acquire a black color.

  The plant is waiting for quick death. To treat such an ailment, the soil is treated with disinfectants. And as a preventative measure, it is enough to treat the flower with a mixture of copper oxychloride.

• No less than the problems of ampel begonia can be caused by pests such as aphids, whiteflies, and spider mites. The most effective way to combat them is with insecticides.

Breeding

Recommendation! Reproduction with the help of seeds of ampelous begonias on their own, at home is a painstaking undertaking. Therefore, the seed propagation method is applicable to flower farms.

Begonia is bred in three main ways.:

1. seeds;
2. cuttings;
3. division of tubers.

The last two methods make it possible to get a new flower, while retaining all the maternal features: the old color, type of shoots. With the seed method of breeding, the desired result is difficult to achieve.. This is due to the fact that most of the ampelic begonias are hybrids. They are obtained on the basis of crossing different types of plants with individual characteristics. But seeds do not carry such features.

Read more about growing and propagating ampel begonia here.

Ampel beauty is truly an unusual, original, attractive plant. Each gardener will surely choose a special look for himself, and care and attention will be more than compensated during flowering.