Propagation Methods and Fertilization Techniques for Wax Begonia

The wax begonia is an excellent indoor potted plant. It looks elegant and noble, carries a slight fragrance, and has fairly strong vitality, especially its long blooming period. This beautiful plant is also relatively easy to grow and can be propagated in several ways, though the sowing method is generally used. Let us take a closer look below at how it is grown.

Propagation Methods for Wax Begonia

Wax begonia propagation mainly takes three forms: sowing, cuttings, and division. For commercial cultivation, sowing is always used. Wax begonia seeds are tiny and short-lived; seeds that fall naturally into the potting soil often germinate quickly and grow into seedlings, but harvested seeds that are not sown in time rarely sprout.

1. Sowing method

In East China, spring from April to May and autumn from August to September are generally the most suitable. The seeds should be evenly scattered over the fine soil in the pot (no covering of soil is needed). Then draw water up through the bottom of the sowing pot until it is fully absorbed, cover with a piece of glass, and place in a semi-shaded spot. They will germinate after 10 days. Seedlings sown in spring can bloom in autumn of the same year.

2. Cutting method

This can be done in any season, but plants grown this way branch less after maturing. Except for double-petaled varieties, this method is generally not used for propagation.

How to Fertilize Wax Begonia

1. Fertilizing in spring and autumn: When fertilizing wax begonia in spring and autumn, follow the principle of small amounts applied frequently. In these two seasons, use inorganic fertilizer or thin organic fertilizer, with liquid fertilizer being preferable.

2. Fertilizing in summer: In summer, if the temperature reaches above 25 degrees, do not fertilize. Below 25 degrees, fertilize once a week for two consecutive weeks. Start fertilizing after the previous blooming period ends, which will make the wax begonia bloom again.

3. Fertilizing seedlings: During the seedling growth stage of wax begonia, nitrogen fertilizer should be the main type, and the amount can be appropriately increased. Nitrogen fertilizer promotes the growth of wax begonia's branches and leaves.

4. Fertilizing during the blooming period: During the blooming stage of wax begonia, phosphorus fertilizer should be the main type, and the amount can be appropriately increased. This makes the flowers more delicate and brightly colored and increases the number of blooms. If fertilizer is not supplied during this period, the entire plant may wither and, in severe cases, die.

5. Fertilizing during the growth period: During the growth period of wax begonia, fertilize once every 10 days to half a month, mainly with fully rotted and fermented 20% rapeseed cake water or soybean cake water. If the fertilizer is not fully fermented, it will cause fertilizer burn, which can dry and scorch the wax begonia's leaves and even kill the whole plant. Fertilization precautions: After each fertilization of wax begonia, use a spray bottle to spray water on its branches and leaves to prevent fertilizer from splashing onto them and causing the leaves to turn yellow.

What to Do If Wax Begonia Has Root Rot

1. Aeration

2. We need to fully understand the environment it needs, especially the potting soil, because it affects root growth. If unsuitable potting soil causes root rot, replace the soil in time. Generally, we need to give it breathable potting soil, so if the soil is not very breathable, we can replace it with nutrient soil or leaf mold. In addition, if you live near a river, you can also use some sandy river soil, or we can mix all three together, which will help its roots grow better. Of course, we should also pay attention to loosening the soil regularly so that its roots do not develop problems.

3. Fertilizer

Using too much fertilizer can also affect it, because more nutrients will remain, which will burn its roots and cause the leaves to wither. So the idea that the more fertilizer you give it, the better is completely wrong. If root rot is caused by this reason, then we should change the soil or take measures to dilute it.

4. Waterlogging

Too much water is also a major factor affecting root growth. This plant in particular does not actually love water that much, so we need to control the amount well. During watering, we should also note that water must not be poured directly onto dry soil. In addition, we need to note that the amount of water is actually closely related to temperature. Generally, when the temperature is relatively high, we can give a little more water, and we can also take extra measures such as spraying some on the leaves. When the temperature is relatively low, we must not give it too much water, otherwise waterlogging will certainly ruin the roots. If this is the cause, we should find a way to remove the water, and if there is really no way to remove it, repot the plant.

5. Repotting

If it can be saved directly, then we just save it directly. If not, we must remove the rotted roots. Of course, during trimming we must control our strength well and must not cause new wounds through our own carelessness. After that, we can soak it in potassium permanganate and rinse it with pure water, then place it in a windy spot, and finally transplant it into a new pot. If the root damage is very severe, we need to cut off the still relatively intact roots and stems, then let it rest and regenerate in rooting water.

Precautions for Sowing Wax Begonia

1. Choosing the container

When choosing a container and substrate for sowing wax begonia, a relatively shallow flower pot with strong breathability and good water permeability should be chosen. The soil substrate should be relatively loose and fertile. Generally speaking, a mixed soil of leaf mold and garden soil is most suitable. After exposure to strong sunlight or high-temperature disinfection, and through layer-by-layer screening, the coarse and fine parts of the soil are separated.

2. Treatment before sowing

The container chosen for wax begonia must be cleaned and even disinfected, and the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot should be lined with tile pieces to ensure that the potting soil drains smoothly when watering. Place the separated coarser substrate in the lower half of the pot, and add fine particles to the upper half, but the substrate in the pot must not be put in too much. A height distance of 2 cm from the pot rim is best. After that, place the pot in water with the pot surface exposed, so that water permeates from the bottom of the pot holes upward. Once the potting soil is moistened, sowing can begin.

Although the attractive wax begonia is relatively easy to grow, there are still some things to pay attention to during the growing process, and some common problems will also appear. When facing problems, we should first identify the cause and apply the right remedy, and then there will not be any major problems. As long as you cultivate it with care, ideal results will surely appear.