All About Collar Begonia: Breeding Features and Useful Tips for Proper Care

Begonia is considered a plant capable of purifying the indoor microclimate from pathogenic bacteria. It can reduce the magnetic fields created by electrical appliances, relieve stress and improve the mood of its owners.

If you want to get a really healthy flower, pay attention to the collar begonia. It has a beautiful leaf shape with red veins on the back.

History and description of the plant

In the mid-19th century, collar begonia was brought from distant Mexico. Thanks to a stay in the tropical forests of America, an extraordinary appearance of the plant is connected. Collar begonia is considered a perennial plant, with a thick creeping rhizomecovered with reddish villi.

The leaves of various shapes on long cuttings form a bush up to a meter high, which makes the flower noticeable in comparison with undersized varieties of flora. The top of the foliage is velvety, asymmetrical, up to 45cm in size. Their shape resembles grape foliage, with downcast edges. On the underside of the leaf has red veins.

Photo

Below you can see a photo of a wonderful home plant - collar begonia:

Landing

Every 4 years begonia requires rejuvenation. This is due to the fact that the flower loses its shape, the bush decays, leaves and inflorescences are reduced in size. In place of the old cuttings, a new one is planted in previously prepared soil. It is worth paying attention to the presence of drainage in the pot. The layer must be at least 2 cm thick.

A transplant is done in early spring. It is better to take a flowerpot a little close. This is done so that not the root system develops, but the terrestrial part of the plant. Also, the lack of excess space will allow faster drainage of excess fluid.

The soil

Before planting the flower, prepare the soil. It should not be cold, but better than room temperature. Soil for begonias is advised to choose loose, soft, enriched with minerals, with a neutral pH. Such a composition is created by a mixture in equal proportions of river sand, peat, sheet land, clay.

The soil may also contain pine bark, which acidifies and loosens the soil. Land from beds or pure peat does not fit. The best option is to buy ready-made soil. Before planting, any soil needs to be warmed up and slightly moistened with standing warm water.

Location and Lighting

Varieties of decorative and deciduous begonias have a rich, vibrant color of foliage that needs intense light. With a lack of lighting, the leaves turn pale, dry. But direct sunlight is also detrimental to royal begonias. In summer, it is better to shade the sun, and place the plant on window sills on the east and west sides. In autumn, the indoor flower should be rearranged to the south.

The most comfortable location is partial shade. Light should not fall on the plant solely on one side. In this case, the begonia crown will be one-sided, inclined to the window. This becomes especially noticeable when daylight hours and flower growth rates increase. Do not forget to turn the pot every week.

Home Care

In nature, collar begonia grows in the tropics, where it is humid and hot. The plant is not demanding, but It is worth paying attention to some nuances of care.

1. A comfortable temperature regime is considered to be +18 to + 22 ° С, in the cold season not lower than + 16 ° С. Regular air exchange is required, but do not leave the flower in a draft. Temperature differences can adversely affect its condition.
2. Begonia prefers cool rooms with moist air. Humidity in the room varies between 50-70%. Large flower leaves have a significant evaporation area, while the root system is not able to compensate for the lost moisture. In winter, do not leave the plant on the windowsill. From a cold window, the roots are not comfortable, they do not receive enough nutrition. And the leaves, on the contrary, dry out from the jet of hot stream coming from the batteries.
3. Watering collar begonia should be generous, 1-2 times a week. In the heat it is better to moisturize daily. But be sure that the liquid does not stagnate in the pot, otherwise it is possible to rot the root system. Sometimes they try to compensate for moisture with plentiful watering, which should not be done. Use only soft water, preferably acidified, with the addition of lemon juice. Do not allow moisture to get on the leaves. In winter, watering is minimal.
4. Begonia should be fed in the summer and spring. The procedure is performed 1 time per week, it is preferable to choose complex mineral fertilizers. For active growth and juicy, saturated color, top dressing is best used with a high nitrogen content.

   Important! In winter, you do not need to feed, the plant is at rest.

5. Before the start of the active growth phase, approximately February-March, pinch the tips of the begonia, new shoots are sent to the rhizome. They do this in order to form a beautiful crown shape, stimulating young shoots to develop.

Common diseases

Deciduous begonia, like other indoor plants, is susceptible to disease. The main reason is a violation of the correct indoor climate. High humidity, lack of ventilation can become the causes of the development of powdery mildew. Excess moisture and lower temperature conditions make it possible for another fungal disease to appear - gray rot.

First, it damages the roots of the plant, and then spreads to leaves, stems. Fight similar problems with a fungicide solution. And in the future, regularly take preventive measures: loosening the soil, timely proper watering, ventilation, optimal illumination, comfortable humidity and temperature.

Pests

Pest insects enter the house with land, flowers, unwashed fruits, vegetables. In summer, aphids attack begonia. A spider mite feels rather well in dry air. Pest control drugs "Doctor Foley", "Actellik."

As a precaution against bad insects, it is important to wipe the begonia leaves from dust and dirt with a dry cloth. Inspect the plant at least 2 times a month. In case of serious damage to the flower - they are treated with insecticides. For example, the drug "Aktara", dilute 1 g per liter of liquid.

Breeding Features

The basic principles of begonia breeding are seeds, cuttings, or division of roots.

• Seeds are sown at the end of winter in a tank with drainage.

  Pots with future seedlings are best covered with glass from above. They must be kept in greenhouse conditions. Open the container daily, remove condensation from the glass, and prevent the soil from drying out. After 2-3 weeks, the first shoots appear. The first leaves will be light green in color, but over time they will acquire a color corresponding to the variety.

• Vegetative way.

  For breeding, it is important to take a healthy, strong parent element. You can stalk, leaf, part of the leaf. Cut leaves can be placed in water, or placed in a moist substrate.

  Note! It is necessary to create a greenhouse effect for plants.

  Slices, pre-treated with drugs to stimulate growth, such as "Kornevin", "Zircon". With the advent of roots, young plants should be transplanted into a pot with soil enriched with minerals for further growth.

• The division of rhizomes is carried out during the period of planting or transplanting a plant.

  Part of the root is planted in a previously prepared soil mixture. A container with planting material is left in a room with a temperature of + 20-24 ° C. After a couple of weeks, young sprouts hatch. They are boldly transplanted to permanent residence.

If you do not have such an interesting and necessary plant, do not hesitate to purchase. After all, now all the subtleties of grooming and breeding are known. Collared begonia is an exotic, ornamental plant that will easily fit into any interior and will delight with a spectacular view of everyone in the household.

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