How to propagate wax begonia? Introduction to common propagation methods
Wax begonia seeds are small and have a short lifespan. If harvested seeds are not sown in time, the germination rate will be greatly affected. Generally, wax begonia is mainly propagated by sowing and cuttings. The editor will briefly introduce these two propagation methods for wax begonia.
Wax begonia
1. Sowing method:In East China, it is generally most suitable in spring from April to May and in autumn from August to September. The seeds should be evenly scattered on the fine soil in the pot (no need to cover with soil). Then use the bottom-watering method to let the sowing pot absorb enough water, then cover it with a piece of glass and place it in a semi-shaded place. After 10 days, it will germinate. Seedlings sown in spring can bloom in autumn of the same year.
2. Cutting method:Cuttings are mostly carried out from March to May or September to October. Use plain sandy soil as the cutting substrate, or directly insert them into plastic flower pots, and the node part needs to be inserted into the soil. Under shaded and warm conditions, they root in more than 20 days. Perennial old plants can be divided, and pruning can be carried out at the same time to promote new side branches and form a well-shaped plant.
Wax begonia Bedding begonia Wax begonia illustrated guide: how to grow wax begonia / how to propagate wax begonia
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Wax begonia cultivation methods and precautions Introduction to wax begonia
Wax begonia (Begonia semper.norms) belongs to the Begoniaceae family, Begonia genus. It is native to Brazil and is a perennial herbaceous plant. It is also called begonia, tiger ear begonia, melon seed begonia, and glass begonia. In traditional production, wax begonia is used as a perennial greenhouse potted flower. In recent years, people have applied it to flower bed arrangements with excellent results. With the emergence of some relatively heat-tolerant varieties, wax begonia is very likely to become one of the most important flower bed flowers in China. It has the advantages of a neat plant shape, many and dense flowers, being very easy to combine with other flower bed plants, and a long ornamental period, so it is becoming more and more popular. It is generally cultivated in spring and autumn.
Perennial evergreen herb, stems erect, slightly succulent, 25 cm to 40 cm tall, with well-developed fibrous roots; leaves ovate to broadly ovate, base oblique, green or purplish red; monoecious with unisexual flowers, cymes axillary, flower colors include red, pink, and white, single or double, with many varieties.
Flower ornamental. Wax begonia has a graceful plant posture, glossy green leaves, and delicate, charming flowers. It is widely loved by the public. Potted ornamental cultivation has lasted for a thousand years. Placed on a table in cold seasons, it brings a room full of spring vitality; placed on a balcony under the eaves in spring and summer, it shows even more lively vigor.
Morphological characteristics of wax begonia
Begonias are perennial herbaceous or woody plants. Crystal-clear emerald leaves and tender, brilliant flowers, yet showy without being vulgar, magnificent and dignified. Used to decorate a room, they are very fresh and elegant. If planted in hanging baskets or wall-mounted containers and hung indoors, they have a distinctive charm. Begonia stems are green, with swollen and juicy nodes. Some have rhizomes, some have tuberous stems. Leaves alternate, with round or unequal oblique heart-shaped forms; some leaves resemble elephant ears. Leaf colors include pure green, red-green, purplish red, dark brown, or with white markings, red on the underside, and some leaves have protrusions. Flowers are terminal or axillary, in cymes, with white, pink, red, and other colors. The flowering period is throughout the four seasons, but most abundant in spring and autumn. There are more than 400 species of begonias, and nearly a thousand horticultural varieties. They are divided into three major categories: tuberous begonias, rhizomatous begonias, and fibrous-rooted begonias.
Ecological habits of wax begonia
Wax begonia likes sunlight, is slightly shade-tolerant, fears cold, likes warmth, a slightly shady and humid environment, and moist soil, but fears heat and waterlogging. In summer, pay attention to shading, ventilation, and drainage.
Growing experience sharing: If you grow wax begonia according to the above passage, the probability of failure is high. Actually, in the Jiangnan region, extensive outdoor management is better. In summer, it can also be placed outdoors in the sun; it is fine. Just avoid rain slightly during the plum rain season. The main thing is ventilation, which is crucial. In summer, watering in the morning is better than watering at night. Do not wait until it is too dry to water; when the surface is slightly dry, you can water (the concept of slightly dry is that the originally wet soil was very dark in color, and now it has turned a bit yellow; when it is not very dark, you can water. It does not mean waiting until the surface soil is dry and white. I hope you understand). Water thoroughly once, water heavily, until water flows out of the bottom hole and there is no water on top. It is best to repeat one more thorough watering. With two thorough waterings in total, it is basically safe. In winter, of course, prevent freezing; just place it under the eaves to avoid cold wind.
Variety classification of wax begonia
The leaves of wax begonia can be divided into two major types: one becomes red-green after receiving sunlight, and the other is reddish copper. Flower colors include red, peach, white, bicolor, and so on. Flower forms are also divided into double and single. Double varieties are not easy to collect seed from and are mostly propagated vegetatively by cuttings. Commercially sold varieties are almost all hybrid F1 varieties, and their constitution is vigorous.
Cultivation techniques of wax begonia
To grow wax begonia well, water and fertilizer management is key.
The requirement for watering work is "two more, two less", that is, spring and autumn are the growth and flowering periods. Water should be appropriately more; the pot soil should be slightly moist; in summer and winter, wax begonia is in a semi-dormant or dormant period, so water can be less and the pot soil slightly drier. Especially in winter, water even less, and the pot soil should always remain slightly dry. The time of watering should also be noted in different seasons. In winter, water around noon in sunlight; in summer, water in the morning or evening, preferably, so that the temperature difference between the air and the pot soil is smaller, which is beneficial to plant growth. The principle of watering is "do not water if not dry; when dry, water thoroughly." During the growth period, wax begonia can be fertilized once every 10 to 15 days with fully decomposed and fermented 20% soybean cake water, rapeseed cake water, chicken or pigeon manure water, or human manure urine liquid fertilizer. When fertilizing, grasp the principle of "thin fertilizer, frequent application." If the fertilizer solution is too concentrated or unfermented raw fertilizer is applied, it will cause fertilizer damage; in mild cases the leaves scorch, and in severe cases the plant dies. After fertilizing, use a watering can to spray water on the plant to prevent the fertilizer solution from sticking to the leaves and causing yellow leaves. In summer and winter, when growth is slow, apply less or stop fertilizing, which can avoid rotting diseases caused by tender stems and leaves and weakened heat and cold resistance.
Another characteristic of wax begonia care is pinching. Like jasmine, Chinese rose, and other flowers, after the flowers fade, the spent flowers must be pruned and the tips pinched in time to promote more branching and more flowering. If pinching and pruning are neglected, the plant tends to grow thin and long, the plant shape is not very attractive, and it blooms less.
After Qingming, potted plants can be moved outdoors under a shade frame for care. In East China, from April to October, they should be cared for under full-day shading, but it is best to see a little sunlight in the morning and evening; if the leaves are found to curl and develop scorched spots, this is a symptom of sunburn. After Frost's Descent, they must be moved indoors to prevent freezing and keep warm, otherwise they will freeze to death if hit by frost; indoor placement should be in a sunny place. If the room temperature remains above 15°C, applying topdressing can allow it to continue blooming.
Light, water, temperature, and pinching are the keys to growing wax begonia well. After planting, wax begonia can receive direct sunlight in early spring; as sunlight intensity increases, appropriate shading is needed. At the same time, attention should be paid to water management. Too much water easily causes root rot, bud rot, and branch rot; high temperature and high humidity easily produce various diseases, such as stem rot? After planting and seedling recovery, apply liquid fertilizer once every 10 days. Timely prune long branches and old branches to promote new side branches. Strengthening pruning is beneficial to the beauty of the plant shape. The cultivation soil conditions require neutral or slightly acidic soil rich in humus and well-drained; it fears both drought and waterlogging.
Mainly seed propagation, supplemented by cuttings. The seeds are tiny and can first be scattered in a tray, then moved to plug trays after germination, or coated seeds can be sown directly in plug trays. Growth is vigorous, though it is relatively difficult to get through the high temperatures of midsummer; otherwise it grows well year-round. It can be divided into green-leaf and copper-leaf lines. Under sufficient light, the green-leaf line performs extremely well in leaf color.
Cutting propagation is carried out from August to December. Cuttings taken in August can root in about 20 days. After one transplant, they are planted out after about 40 days. Generally, apply dilute liquid fertilizer once every 10 days, and water sufficiently to keep the soil moist. If you want a larger plant clump and abundant flowering, pinch several times, generally leaving two nodes and removing the new shoots, to promote branching and more flowers. Potted plants should begin shading and cooling in late June, and prevent water accumulation in the pot, otherwise they easily rot at the roots and die.
Cultivation points
1. Sowing: Wax begonia seeds are very small and require special sowing bed handling. Choose fine vermiculite or perlite as the sowing medium. The optimum germination temperature is about 15°C, and the suitable sowing period is March to April or October to November. High summer temperatures make germination difficult.
2. Transplanting into pots and planting out: After cutting seedlings root, they can be transplanted into small pots. After transplanting, they must be watered sufficiently. After 5-6 true leaves, they can be potted. The spacing for planting out is about 18-20 cm.
3. In long flower troughs, 3-4 plants can be planted. In midsummer, sufficient water must be given, otherwise the leaves easily wilt. During the planting period, liquid fertilizer needs to be added. If the plants grow too long or too large, they can be hard-pruned to about half in August. During cultivation, individual leggy branches should be pinched to promote side branches to bloom densely and maintain a good plant shape. 4. Other management precautions:
(1) In summer, wax begonia cannot tolerate direct sunlight or rain, so it should be shaded and protected from rain. If exposed to rain for a long time, it easily causes the flower stems and leaves to rot. In winter, it likes sufficient sunlight. If light is insufficient, growth is weak, the plant becomes thin and long, and leaf and flower colors fade. If light is too strong, the leaves shrink and scorched spots appear. If fertilizer is insufficient, the plant is short and the leaves turn red.
(2) Irrigation and drainage: When watering potted wax begonia, water only after the pot soil dries. If the pot soil remains moist for a long time, it easily causes root rot and damping-off disease.
(3) Fertilization: Wax begonia has fibrous roots and grows vigorously. During the growth period, pay attention to fertilization management. Apply dilute liquid fertilizer once a week, preferably compound fertilizer at 150-200 ppm. Watering should be sufficient. Generally, after 2 years of cultivation, the plant gradually weakens and the plant shape becomes irregular, so it needs replacement. In production, it is usually cultivated as an annual. However, in horticultural cultivation, it can be cultivated as a perennial.
Wax begonia is propagated by sowing or cuttings. Wax begonia easily produces a large amount of seed, and the germination ability is strong, so seed propagation is generally used more often. After the seeds are harvested, sow them immediately. Generally sow from August to September in a shallow pot. Note that the surface soil should be fine. Because the seeds are tiny and the germination ability is strong, do not sow too densely. After sowing, do not cover with soil. Soak the pot soil, cover with glass, place in a semi-shaded place, and maintain a certain humidity. Seedlings can emerge after one week.
Propagation methods of wax begonia
Mainly three methods: sowing, cuttings, and division. For commercial cultivation, sowing propagation is used. Wax begonia seeds are tiny and short-lived. Seeds that naturally fall into the pot soil often germinate quickly and grow into seedlings, but harvested seeds have very few seedlings if not sown in time. Cuttings are mostly carried out from March to May or September to October. Use plain sandy soil as the cutting substrate, or directly insert them into plastic flower pots, and the node part needs to be inserted into the soil. Under shaded and warm conditions, they root in more than 20 days. Perennial old plants can be divided, and pruning can be carried out at the same time to promote new side branches and form a well-shaped plant.
[Propagation methods]: Commonly propagated by sowing and cuttings.
[Sowing method]: In East China, it is generally most suitable in spring from April to May and in autumn from August to September. The seeds should be evenly scattered on the fine soil in the pot (no need to cover with soil). Then use the bottom-watering method to let the sowing pot absorb enough water, then cover it with a piece of glass and place it in a semi-shaded place. After 10 days, it will germinate. Seedlings sown in spring can bloom in autumn of the same year.
[Cutting method]: It can be carried out all year round, but after the seedlings mature, there are fewer branches. Except for double varieties, this method is generally not used for propagation.
(4) Uses: Wax begonia has a long flowering period and many flower colors with rich variation. It is a flower with both beautiful flowers and leaves. It is suitable not only for outdoor cultivation in courtyards and flower beds, but is also an excellent choice for indoor decoration on family desks, tea tables, table tops, and shop windows.
① Fertilizer. During the spring and autumn growth periods, grasp the principle of thin fertilizer and frequent application, mainly applying decomposed odorless organic dilute fertilizer water or inorganic fertilizer soaking liquid. During the seedling establishment stage, apply more nitrogen fertilizer to promote leaf and branch growth; during the bud appearance and flowering stage, apply more phosphorus fertilizer to promote more flower bud formation, more flowers, and brighter colors. If fertilizer is lacking, the plant will wither and even die.
② Water. During the vigorous spring and autumn growth period, the soil needs to contain more water. Water in time and keep it moist.
③ Summer and winter management. In summer and winter, due to temperature effects, growth is slow, so fertilizer and water management need to be strengthened. In the hot midsummer season, take measures to avoid strong direct light and lower the temperature, creating a small environment below 30°C for care. Keep the pot soil suitably dry and wet; too wet easily causes root rot, and too dry causes leaf wilting. Slightly moist is enough; if too much fertilizer is applied during this period, it will cause tender stems and leaves or rotting disease. In winter, as long as the temperature remains above 10°C, it can overwinter safely. In summer and winter management, if the temperature can be controlled below 30°C and above 10°C, watering is suitably dry and wet, and fertilization is moderate, the plant will certainly be robust and can bloom continuously through the four seasons.
Disease control of wax begonia
Pest and disease control: Diseases mainly include leaf spot disease and bacterial diseases, and should be controlled with thiophanate-methyl, chlorothalonil, jinggangmycin, etc.
Pests are mainly various pests that harm leaves and stems, including slugs, thrips, leafminers, etc., and should be treated with targeted pesticides.
(1) Common diseases include powdery mildew and bacterial damping-off. Pests include aphids, mealybugs, and red spider mites. In summer and autumn, it is easily harmed by the larvae of scarab beetles, etc. Control methods use environmental control: high temperature and high humidity are favorable for pathogen reproduction, so dense planting should be avoided during cultivation to facilitate ventilation. When growing in a greenhouse, if the climate happens to have a large day-night temperature difference, avoid watering in the evening to prevent nighttime temperature drop, causing excessively high humidity or even condensation.
(2) Keep the cultivation site clean: if there are infected plants and leaves, remove and destroy them immediately. Avoid wetting the leaves when watering.
Damping-off
Damping-off is one of the common diseases of wax begonia and occurs in both flower farms and home potted begonias. It mainly harms the stem base and leaves near the soil surface. In the early stage of the disease, the stem base near the soil surface becomes infected and develops dark spots, which after expansion become brown rot. Infected leaves develop dark green water-soaked round lesions. When the petiole is infected, brown rot appears. On humid mornings, white to light brown mycelial threads can be seen at the lesions. Severely affected plants lodge or rot and die. The pathogen overwinters as mycelium or sclerotia in diseased residual tissues or in the soil. When begonias are divided or propagated by cuttings, wounds are created. When the temperature is 20-24°C, humidity is relatively high, or during cloudy and rainy weather or when watering is excessive, the pathogen invades and often causes severe occurrence of the disease.
Control methods
(1) Remove diseased leaves promptly when found and strengthen ventilation.
(2) Use soilless cultivation. For soil cultivation, advocate applying compost fermented with effective microorganisms. Choose new soil rich in organic matter or pond mud, river mud, etc. to prepare pot soil. (3) If conditions permit, disinfect the soil. Use 40% quintozene-thiram or seed-dressing bis powder, with a dosage of 8 g per sq m, mix evenly with soil and put into pots for later use.
(4) In the early stage of the disease, spray or drench with 95% Lvheng No. 1 premium 3000-fold solution, or 20% tolclofos-methyl EC 1200-fold solution, 50% damping-off spirit wettable powder 1000-fold solution, or potassium permanganate 1200-1300-fold solution.
(5) After the disease occurs, 40% quintozene-thiram or seed-dressing bis powder can also be mixed with fine sand to make a 1:200 medicinal soil. Apply 100-150 g per plant or per pot in holes, once every 10-15 days.
(6) Use 0.4-0.45 kg of well-cultured Trichoderma harzianum, add 50 kg of fine soil, mix evenly, and spread it over the base of diseased plants, which can effectively control the spread of the disease. Begonias are sensitive to fungicides, and some new varieties need to be tested first before large-scale application.
Medicinal or dietary value of wax begonia
The medical information and health dietary information on Hugarden are for reference only and cannot be used as a basis for diagnosis or medical treatment. Any health issue should be consulted with professional medical staff, and any disease treatment should follow medical advice.
Ultimate flower-protecting task: love yourself, start from reality, and strictly follow medical advice. For illness, do not be careless, do not delay, do not give up hope, face it bravely, warm the silent world with love, and care for the flower field in your heart with your heart.
Wax begonia has a graceful plant posture, glossy green leaves, and delicate, charming flowers. It is widely loved by the public. Potted ornamental cultivation has lasted for a thousand years. Placed on a table in cold seasons, it brings a room full of spring vitality; placed on a balcony under the eaves in spring and summer, it shows even more lively vigor. Wax begonia is used very widely internationally. Besides potted ornamental use, it is also a material for flower beds, hanging baskets, planting troughs, window boxes, and indoor arrangements. Its quantity and quality in use are developing rapidly. In the United States, besides potted ornamental use, it is used more for flower bed appreciation, and many new varieties with strong adaptability, heat resistance, and moisture tolerance have been bred. In Northern European countries such as Denmark, Sweden, and Norway, high-quality potted ornamental types are mainly produced and exported to Western European countries. Among them, Denmark's Dæhnfeldt company is famous for producing wax begonia. The Netherlands, the United Kingdom, France, and other countries also have a certain amount of production. In short, wax begonia is still quite popular in the European market. Japan has a certain amount of production, mainly to meet domestic market demand. Seeds rely on imports from the United States and Denmark.
Cultivation of wax begonia in China began in 1912. In the 1930s, it was introduced from the United States and cultivated in the Shanghai and Nanjing areas. Large-scale production began only in the 1990s. To date, demand has been increasing year by year, and it can meet the current market demand at a low level. Seeds rely on imports.
Flower language of wax begonia
Flower language: longing, care, sincerity, unrequited love, bitter love.
Begonia: longing grass, heartbreak flower, August spring. According to historical records, when Lu You and Tang Wan had no choice but to part, Tang Wan gave Lu You a pot of begonia as a token of longing. When Lu You asked Tang Wan, "What flower is this?" Tang Wan sadly replied, "This is heartbreak red." Seeing this, Lu You was overwhelmed with thoughts and said casually, "It should be called longing red." Thereafter, begonia also became known to the world as "longing red." Begonia symbolizes bitter love. When people encounter setbacks in love, they often use begonia flowers to refer to themselves, calling it heartbreak flower, using the flower to express the sorrowful emotions of parting between men and women. Thus the flower language includes "bitter love."
Care. People who like this flower give others a feeling of kindness and friendliness. You always speak to others in a consistently gentle tone. In your embrace, your lover fully feels cared for and doted on. You always do things slowly and methodically, and never seek a momentary thrill.
Flower motto: Self-confidence is the first condition for success. Only by believing in yourself can you break through difficulties.
Wax begonia pictures
Characteristics and propagation methods of wax begonia
One of the more common varieties among begonia plants is wax begonia. This variety is often used as an indoor and outdoor decorative bonsai. Because of its graceful posture and clustered flowers that can bloom in all four seasons, it is much loved by the public.
Wax begonia is used very widely internationally. Besides potted ornamental use, it is also a material for flower beds, hanging baskets, planting troughs, window boxes, and indoor arrangements. Its quantity and quality in use are developing rapidly. In the United States, besides potted ornamental use, it is used more for flower bed appreciation, and many new varieties with strong adaptability, heat resistance, and moisture tolerance have been bred. In Northern European countries such as Denmark, Sweden, and Norway, high-quality potted ornamental types are mainly produced and exported to Western European countries. Among them, Denmark's Dæhnfeldt company is famous for producing wax begonia. The Netherlands, the United Kingdom, France, and other countries also have a certain amount of production. In short, wax begonia is still quite popular in the European market. Japan has a certain amount of production, mainly to meet domestic market demand. Seeds rely on imports from the United States and Denmark.
Cultivation of wax begonia in China began in 1912. In the 1930s, it was introduced from the United States and cultivated in the Shanghai and Nanjing areas. Large-scale production began only in the 1990s. To date, demand has been increasing year by year, and it can meet the current market demand at a low level. Seeds rely on imports.
[Morphological characteristics and varieties] Wax begonia is a perennial herb. Stems erect, much branched, succulent, smooth and glossy. Leaves alternate, glossy, ovate, with serrated margins, green or with light red. Flowers light red, axillary, several clustered. There are many cultivated varieties. Plant types include tall and dwarf; flowers include single and double; flower colors include red, white, and pink. Leaves include green, purplish red, and dark brown colors. Common varieties include the green-leaf series Ambassador, plant height 20-25 cm, with strong branching. Olympia, flowers include pink, red, orange-red, white, mixed colors, etc. Lotto, plant height 10 cm. Pizzazz, plant height 20-25 cm. Victory, plant height 20-25 cm. Linda, plant height 15-20 cm. In addition, there are the large-flowered, green-leaved Jade and the large-flowered, green-leaved, heat-tolerant, rain-tolerant Prelude. The copper-leaf series Cocktail series is tolerant of sunlight and not afraid of sun exposure, including pink-flowered Brandy and rose-red-flowered Gin. Pure white-flowered Whiskey, bright red-flowered Vodka, and white-flowered with rose-red edges Rum. Party, large flowers, flower diameter 5 cm, good branching, plant height 30 cm. Rio, plant height 20-25 cm, is the darkest-colored series among the copper-leaf types. Strong adaptability, suitable for outdoor cultivation. Senator has strong branching. Angel, plant height 20-25°C, early-maturing type, multi-flower series, wide adaptability.
[Biological characteristics] Wax begonia is native to Brazil in South America. It likes a warm, humid, and sunny environment. The optimum growth temperature is 18-20°C. In winter, the temperature should not be lower than 5°C, otherwise growth is slow and it is susceptible to freezing damage. In summer, when the temperature exceeds 32°C, stem and leaf growth is poor. However, heat-tolerant varieties such as Prelude, Cocktail, and Angel series can still grow normally under high temperatures.
The branches and leaves of wax begonia are tender and juicy, with a relatively high water content. During the growth period, the water requirement is relatively high. In addition to watering, increasing air humidity by spraying water on the leaves is very necessary. However, water accumulation in the pot or excessively dry air is likewise extremely unfavorable to the growth and development of wax begonia. Especially in the seedling stage, it easily leads to seedling rot and pest and disease damage.
Wax begonia has strong adaptability to light. It can grow both in a semi-shaded environment and under full-light conditions, with neat flowering and bright flower colors. Green-leaf types grown under strong light tend to have red leaf edges and shrunken leaves; copper-leaf types have richer leaf color and gloss.
Potted wax begonia is suitable for fertile, loose, and well-drained leaf mold or peat soil, with slightly acidic soil at pH 5.5-6.5.
[Propagation methods] Commonly propagated by sowing, cuttings, division, and tissue culture.
Sowing propagation: spring and autumn are suitable. The seeds are tiny, with about 70,000 seeds per gram, short-lived, and the germination rate of seeds stored until the next year drops significantly. The optimum germination temperature is 20-22°C. After sowing, do not cover with soil; press flat and it is fine. Germination occurs in about 7-10 days. Sow in autumn, overwinter in a greenhouse, and bloom the following spring. Generally, flowering occurs 130-150 days after sowing.
Cutting propagation: best carried out in spring and autumn. Cut 10 cm long tender terminal shoots as cuttings. Use fine sand or expanded perlite as the cutting medium. Insert half of the cuttings into the medium, maintain relatively high air humidity and a room temperature of 20-22°C, and roots form 16-20 days after cutting. If treated with 0.005% indolebutyric acid for 2 seconds, rooting of cuttings can be promoted.
Division propagation: carried out when repotting in spring. Cut the mother plant apart and pot directly, place in a semi-shaded place for care and recovery.
Tissue culture propagation: use tender stems as explants. First gently wipe with clean water, disinfect the surface in a sterile room with 70% alcohol for 30 seconds, then soak and disinfect with 5%-10% bleaching powder filtrate for 10 minutes, and finally rinse with sterile water 4-6 times. Inoculate the explants on MS medium supplemented with 6-benzylaminopurine 0.5 mg/L and naphthaleneacetic acid 0.1 mg/L to promote adventitious bud production. Then use 1/2 MS medium supplemented with indoleacetic acid 0.2 mg/L to promote adventitious root differentiation and become complete plantlets. It takes 4 months from explant inoculation to the production of complete small plantlets.
[Cultivation management] Wax begonia has well-developed roots and grows fast. It needs repotting every spring, adding fertile and loose leaf mold. During the growth period, keep the pot soil moist and fertilize once every half month. During flower bud formation, apply 1-2 additional phosphorus and potassium fertilizers. Or use 20-20-20 general fertilizer. In soilless cultivation, use 15-15-18 soilless cultivation fertilizer for a long time. If seedlings or flowering plants are moved from a low-light area to a strong-light area, they need an adaptation process, otherwise the leaves easily curl and scorched spots appear. In the opposite situation, with insufficient light, flower colors appear dull and lack luster, and stems and leaves easily become leggy and weak.
Wax begonia commonly uses 10 cm pots. When seedlings are 10 cm tall, they should be topped and pinched to lower the plant shape and promote new branch germination. At the same time, 10-15 days after pinching, spray 0.05%-0.1% B9 about 2-3 times, which can control plant height at 10-15 cm. Wax begonia is generally cultivated as a biennial. After 2 years, it needs to be renewed.
[Pest and disease control] Common leaf spot disease and powdery mildew damage, spray with 75% chlorothalonil wettable powder 800-fold solution. Pests include thrips, mealybugs, and leaf-rolling moths that harm stems and leaves, and can be killed by spraying with 50% fenitrothion EC 1500-fold solution.
[Post-production handling] Wax begonia has a neat plant shape and many dense flowers. It is very suitable for small potted ornamentation, decorating family desks, tea tables, table tops, shop windows, conference side tables, and restaurant table tops. With luxuriant branches and leaves and charming colors, it can be called enchanting and moving. If arranged in city center squares, flower beds, and flower troughs to form scenic spots, the flowers are as abundant as brocade and eye-catching. If processed into three-dimensional flower columns, flower umbrellas, and hanging baskets for suspension, the seven-colored splendor is exceptionally novel.