How to grow begonia flowers? Cultivation methods and precautions, with plenty of sunlight

Begonia is a plant unique to China, and it is also a must-grow plant for many plant enthusiasts. How to grow begonia flowers? Actually, there are many aspects that need attention, but once you master the methods, it is relatively easy to grow. So what are the cultivation methods and precautions for begonia flowers? Let me walk you through them below.

1. How to grow begonia flowers / plenty of light is needed

Begonia is a plant that loves sunlight very much, so when it comes to how to grow begonia flowers, sunlight is a fairly key point. Of course, besides sunlight, soil, environment, watering and other aspects all need attention. As for exactly what needs attention, let's continue reading below.

2. Cultivation methods and precautions for begonia flowers

1. Soil

Among the cultivation methods and precautions for begonia flowers, the choice of soil is a fairly important aspect. It is best to choose relatively loose soil, as this gives better drainage. Generally, we can mix 4 parts leaf mold, 3 parts peat soil and 3 parts river sand, and the resulting soil will have very good drainage.

2. Watering

Begonia is a relatively drought-tolerant plant and is most afraid of waterlogging, so just keeping the soil moist is enough. Do not water too much. In spring, watering once every 3-5 days is generally enough; in summer, once every 1-2 days; in autumn, once every 4-6 days; and in winter, once every half a month. With this watering schedule, I believe your begonia will surely grow strong and healthy.

3. Sunlight

Begonia mostly blooms in spring, but if the light and temperature are managed properly, with special techniques such as lowering the temperature and shading, it can bloom once more in the autumn of the same year. The specific method is: in the hot and rainy period of early to mid-July, move the flower pot to a cool, rain-sheltered place and carry out temperature reduction. Reduce the light intensity to about 40%, gradually reduce the amount of watering, and control the vegetative growth of the plant.

3. Precautions for begonia flowers

When growing begonia flowers, pay attention to ventilation, so it is best to place potted begonia on a balcony or outdoors. In early spring, also pay attention to pruning the branches and leaves, and pinch back frequently. Do not be reluctant to part with the flower buds; constantly pinch off the tips of each branch so that it keeps branching and becomes ball-shaped, rather than growing into one long stem, which is not only sparse in flowers and unattractive but also easily broken. Flowers that have already bloomed should also be pruned off in time.

Do not water potted begonia too much in daily care; just keep the potting soil moist to avoid root rot. When it absorbs sunlight, often turn the direction of the pot so it does not grow crooked toward one light direction. When fertilizing, be careful that the fertilizer liquid does not splash onto the leaves; do not fertilize during the flowering period or in winter and summer. If the plant grows larger, it needs to be repotted in time so as not to affect the growth of the begonia.

How to grow begonia flowers: cultivation methods for begonia flowers

Begonia is a plant unique to China and enjoys the reputation of "national beauty." How do you grow begonia flowers? Below I will explain the cultivation methods for begonia flowers.

1. Temperature and sunlight

Begonia grows very well in ample sunlight, while in cold and shady places it grows very slowly, and may even show adverse reactions such as leaf drop, yellowing leaf surfaces, and pest and disease problems. So begonia grown at home must be placed in a spot with good light. Begonia is relatively cold-tolerant. Surveys have shown that begonia still grows impressively at -15°C, so in northern winters, as long as there is sufficient sunlight, it can be placed outdoors, but if the weather is unusually cold, certain protective measures are still necessary.

2. Watering and fertilizing

For begonia care, fertilizing and watering should be carried out in combination at the same time. In autumn, especially when leaves have just begun to drop, fertilizer should be replenished. This is because nutrition is lacking in autumn, and applying a heavy fertilizer can replenish the nutrients it has lost and make full preparations for winter. And in spring, when begonia has just sprouted, fertilizer should also be applied once, and the plant should be watered thoroughly. Begonia is relatively drought-tolerant, so watering does not need to be too frequent. If watered too much, begonia will suffer root rot and leaf drop.

3. Pruning

Begonia should be pruned in early spring, and this should be during the period after leaf drop and before sprouting. The pruning task is to cut off dead branches and branches and leaves eroded by pests, keeping a certain distance between branches so that light is evenly distributed. If you want the flowers to bloom more abundantly, you can shorten overly long branches so that the remaining branches and buds receive sufficient nutrients and more flowers bloom. Overly tall branches and leaves should be cut back as much as possible, and it is advisable to retain the stem at 6 cm to 10 cm, which helps the branches and leaves flourish the following year.

4. Tying and repotting

Begonia plants are relatively large and prone to lodging, so supports should be set up. In addition, in spring the soil should be changed and the plant repotted, and the branches and leaves should also be pruned to remove remaining and diseased branches.

5. Fruit removal

After begonia flowers fade, the young fruit should be removed immediately. This helps save nutrients and can effectively increase the number of flowers the following year.

6. Pest and disease control

Begonia is very susceptible to damage from pests such as longhorn beetles, red spider mites and aphids, so it is also very important to spray the corresponding pesticide in time according to the type of pest.

How to grow begonia flowers: tips on begonia cultivation methods

Begonia likes a cool, moist, semi-shady environment. It is very sensitive to environmental changes, especially sharp changes in temperature and light. Flowering plants cannot be placed in a dark room, nor on a balcony with direct sunlight. The optimum temperature for growth is 15-25°C. It is not tolerant of high temperatures; above 30°C the stems and leaves wither and flower buds drop; above 35°C the aboveground and underground tubers rot and die. This plant belongs to the type that flowers under long-day conditions and goes dormant under short-day conditions.

Begonia likes sunlight and is suitable for growing in an environment with ample sunlight; in shady places it will grow poorly. Special attention should be paid to potted plants grown at home: during their growing period, place them in a spot with ample light for care. Because it is cold-tolerant, even at -15°C in winter begonia can still grow very well and will not suffer cold damage, so it can be placed outdoors to overwinter. However, when it is unusually cold, protective measures should be taken.

Plant growth all requires sunlight, and begonia especially needs to bathe in sunlight; it is suitable for growing in an environment with ample sunlight. So if begonia grows in a shady place for a long time, there will be many adverse reactions.

Special attention should be paid to fertilizing begonia, especially in autumn, when begonia sheds its leaves. A heavy fertilizer must be applied to make up for the nutrients lost because of this; and when begonia sprouts in spring, organic fertilizer should likewise be applied, along with one thorough watering.

After leaf drop and before spring budding, begonia needs one pruning. Cut off dead branches, weak branches and pest- or disease-affected branches to maintain ventilation and light penetration. To ensure vigorous flowering of begonia, long branches need to be shortened so that other axillary buds receive more nutrients and nutrient consumption is reduced. During the growing period of begonia, pinch back in time to keep nutrients from being dispersed.

The growth of begonia requires relatively loose, slightly alkaline soil. You can use soil from a flower nursery or from the base of tree roots plus river sand. When potting begonia, the planting depth should not be too deep, which helps the root system spread better. It can be determined according to the size of the plant; generally it is 12 cm from the bottom of the pot.

Begonia likes a moist environment. When watering, the best approach is to keep the potting soil moist. In summer when temperatures are high, water more; in winter when it is cold, do not water. Avoid rain exposure, so that excess water in the potting soil does not cause root rot.

1. Malus spectabilis begonia likes sunlight, and it is also strongly cold-tolerant, but its requirements for air humidity are also very strict. Remember not to let it become waterlogged, and air humidity must not be too high either. It is suitable for growing in fertile, loose sandy soil with good drainage.

2. Malus spectabilis begonia can be propagated by grafting, division, root cuttings and layering. Grafting is further divided into branch grafting and bud grafting. Branch grafting is generally carried out in February-March, and bud grafting between August and September. Root cuttings are carried out in February-March, with roots about 1 cm thick and 7-10 cm long inserted 3/4 into the soil; division and layering are both suitable in spring, with a relatively high survival rate.

3. Malus spectabilis begonia likes fertilizer and grows rapidly, so the flower pot cannot be too shallow or too small, otherwise a new pot will soon be needed. In addition, planting and repotting Malus spectabilis begonia are best carried out in February-March, and late autumn is also acceptable. Use loose, fertile garden soil; humus soil mixed with sand can also use mountain soil. Young begonia trees grow very quickly and must be repotted once every 1-2 years. When repotting, the root system and branches can be pruned to ensure a pleasing appearance.

4. Malus spectabilis begonia is suitable for placement in a spot with ample sunlight and good ventilation. If placed in a cool, wind-sheltered place for a long time, it will lead to poor growth, so even in hot summer there is no need to shade it. Begonia is relatively strongly cold-tolerant; in winter it can simply be moved indoors to a sunny spot.

5. For Malus spectabilis begonia, the watering requirement is simply to keep the potting soil moist, but there should be no waterlogging, otherwise it will cause yellowing and dropping of leaves. In cold winter, watering can be stopped, and instead fertilizer water can be sprayed on the leaves to prevent root rot caused by careless watering.

1. Semi-shady environment, place on the inner side of a balcony, at an east- or west-facing window

2. Water only after the soil has dried, and each time water until water flows out

3. Pinch back frequently; do not be reluctant to part with the flower buds. Constantly pinch off the tips of each branch so that it keeps branching and becomes ball-shaped, rather than growing into one long stem, which is not only sparse in flowers and unattractive but also easily broken. Flowers that have already bloomed should also be pruned off in time.

4. Often turn the direction of the flower pot so it does not grow crooked toward one light direction.

5. If the leaves are too dense, remove some; poor ventilation makes it prone to mold disease.