Cane Begonia: Latest Prices and a Detailed Guide to Growing It
Cane Begonia is a perennial succulent herb in the Begoniaceae family, genus Begonia. Its leaves are thick and succulent, obliquely oblong to oblong-ovate, with thick purplish-red petioles. The flowers grow in cymes and are pale red or white, blooming in summer and autumn. It is distributed in Guangdong, Guangxi and other parts of China, and is also cultivated artificially. Let's take a look at the price and growing methods of Cane Begonia!
How much does a Cane Begonia plant cost?
The price of Cane Begonia seedlings is about 8-10 yuan each, but prices vary considerably depending on size, place of origin and other factors. Cane Begonia is native to Brazil. In China it is cultivated in parks and flower nurseries in Haikou and Guangzhou. Its flower shape and leaf color are delicate and charming. As a potted plant it is often used to accent living rooms, display windows, or to decorate home windowsills, balconies, coffee tables and other places. Its ornamental value is very high.
Propagation methods for Cane Begonia
1. Sowing: Cane Begonia is commonly propagated by seed for introduction at home and abroad, variety improvement and large-scale commercial production. It can be done indoors or in a greenhouse. For conventional introduction, spring from April to May or autumn from September to October is preferable. Because the seeds are extremely small, sowing must be done with care.
2. Cuttings: Cane Begonia can be propagated by stem cuttings, leaf cuttings and rhizome cuttings.
(1) Stem cuttings: Cane Begonia stem cuttings can be taken year-round at room temperature, but April to May gives the best results, with fast rooting and a high survival rate. Vigorous stem tips are usually selected as cuttings, and after planting they generally heal and root in 9-27 days.
(2) Leaf cuttings: Cane Begonia leaf cuttings work best in summer and autumn. Grown at room temperature, they can also be done in winter, but rooting is slow. If during the cutting process the rooting medium temperature is below 15°C, rooting will be delayed, and below 10°C rooting becomes difficult.
(3) Root cuttings: In spring and autumn, cut the lower rhizomes of Cane Begonia into 3-5 cm pieces and insert them obliquely or lay them flat in a sand bed, keeping the room temperature at 20-22°C. Generally, adventitious roots grow 15-20 days after planting, and adventitious buds sprout in 30-40 days.
How to grow Cane Begonia
1. Soil: Cane Begonia is usually grown in soil made from compost soil, leaf mold and charcoal soil. Alkaline soil or heavy, sticky soil that compacts easily is not good for new root growth, and can easily lead to short, small stems and leaves, dull colors, and chlorosis.
2. Temperature: Cane Begonia grows rapidly in a warm environment, with lush stems and leaves and bright flowers. The optimum growing temperature is 19-24°C, and the winter temperature should not fall below 10°C, otherwise the leaves are easily damaged by cold, though the rhizome is relatively cold-hardy.
3. Watering: Cane Begonia likes a semi-shaded, mild and humid environment and is fairly drought-tolerant, but it fears waterlogging. Therefore water according to the principle of watering when dry and letting it dry out between waterings, keeping the potting soil moist as the ideal. In midsummer, the leaves and the ground around the plant need to be misted with water.
4. Fertilizing: Cane Begonia likes fertilizer. Fertilizer should be applied when the potting soil is dry, after loosening the soil with a hoe. Watering after fertilizing helps the plant absorb nutrients. During the vigorous spring growth period, apply a dilute liquid fertilizer once every 10 to 15 days. In the hot summer season, reduce fertilizing, and pause fertilizing during the flowering period and in winter.
5. Light: Cane Begonia likes shade and fears harsh sun exposure. It is suitable for year-round growing on a south-facing balcony indoors. In spring, autumn and winter it should be given plenty of sunlight, while in summer strong light should be avoided, otherwise the leaves will turn yellow and growth will slow.
6. Pruning: Cane Begonia grows vigorously. For plants that have been grown for many years, or plants that have grown too tall or lost their lower stem leaves, resulting in an unattractive shape and reduced ornamental effect, pruning can be combined with repotting in spring to encourage the plant to sprout new branches.
7. Diseases: In hot, humid weather Cane Begonia is prone to pests and diseases. Ventilation and light transmission should be strengthened, the potting soil should not be too wet, and water must not be allowed to accumulate in the pot. Spray a fungicide once every half month. If red spider mite damage is found, spray with dicofol 1500 times dilution.