How much does the bamboo begonia cost? Detailed planting method
Bamboo begonia (Begonia maculata) is a perennial succulent herbaceous plant in the family Begoniaceae, genus Begonia. Its leaves are succulent and thick, obliquely oblong to oblong-ovate, and the petioles are thick and purplish-red. Its flowers grow in cymes and are pale red or white, blooming in summer and autumn. It is distributed in Guangdong, Guangxi and other places in China, and there is artificial introduction and cultivation. Now let us take a look at the bamboo begonia price and planting method!
How much does a bamboo begonia cost?
The price of bamboo begonia seedlings is about 8 to 10 yuan each, but prices vary greatly depending on specifications, place of origin and so on. Bamboo 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, and potted plants are often used to decorate living rooms, display windows, or to adorn home windowsills, balconies, tea tables and other places, with very high ornamental value.
Propagation methods of bamboo begonia
1. Sowing: Bamboo begonia sowing propagation is commonly used for introduction at home and abroad, variety improvement and large-scale commercial production. It can be carried out indoors or in a greenhouse, and conventional introduction is best done in spring from April to May or in autumn from September to October. Because the seeds are especially tiny, care must be taken when sowing.
2. Cuttage: Bamboo begonia cuttage can use stem cuttings, leaf cuttings and rhizome cuttings.
① Stem cuttings: Bamboo begonia stem cutting propagation can be carried out all year round at room temperature, but the best results are achieved from April to May, with fast rooting and a high survival rate. Vigorous stem tips are often selected as cuttings, and after insertion they generally heal and take root in 9 to 27 days.
② Leaf cuttings: Bamboo begonia leaf cutting propagation works best in summer and autumn. When cultivated at room temperature, it can also be done in winter, but rooting is slow. If during the cuttage process the cutting medium temperature is below 15°C, rooting will be delayed, and below 10°C it is difficult to root.
③ Root cuttings: In spring and autumn, cut the lower rhizomes of bamboo begonia into 3 to 5 cm pieces and insert them obliquely or lay them flat in a sand bed, keeping the room temperature at 20 to 22°C. Generally, adventitious roots grow 15 to 20 days after insertion, and adventitious buds sprout in 30 to 40 days.
Planting method of bamboo begonia
1. Soil: The soil used for growing bamboo begonia is commonly made by mixing compost soil, leaf mold and peat soil. Alkaline, heavy, or easily compacted soil is not conducive to new root growth, easily leads to short stems and leaves and dull color, and readily causes chlorosis.
2. Temperature: Bamboo begonia grows rapidly in a warm environment, with lush stems and leaves and bright flowers. The suitable growth temperature is 19 to 24°C, and the winter temperature should not be lower than 10°C, otherwise the leaves are easily damaged by cold, though the rhizome is relatively cold-resistant.
3. Watering: Bamboo begonia likes a semi-shady, mild and humid environment and has strong drought resistance, but it fears waterlogging. Therefore, watering should follow the principle of watering when dry and stopping when wet, and keeping the potting soil moist is best. In the hottest summer season, water needs to be sprayed on the leaves and the ground.
4. Fertilizing: Bamboo begonia likes fertilizer. Fertilizing should be done by loosening the soil with a hoe when the potting soil is dry, and watering after fertilizing helps the plant absorb it. During the vigorous spring growth period, apply a dilute liquid fertilizer once every 10 to 15 days. In the high-temperature summer season, fertilizing should be reduced, and fertilizing should be paused during the flowering period and in winter.
5. Light: Bamboo begonia likes shade and fears exposure to strong sunlight. It is suitable for year-round cultivation inside a south-facing balcony. In spring, autumn and winter, it should be given sufficient sunlight, while in summer strong light should be avoided, otherwise the plant's leaves will turn yellow and growth will slow.
6. Pruning: Bamboo begonia grows vigorously. For plants that have been grown for many years, or plants that have grown too tall or whose lower stem leaves have fallen off, causing an unattractive plant shape and affecting the ornamental effect, pruning can be carried out together with repotting in spring to help the plant sprout new branches.
7. Diseases: Bamboo begonia is prone to pests and diseases in hot and humid weather. 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, dicofol 1500-fold solution can be sprayed.