How to Grow Potted Begonias and Pest Control Tips

Begonia, the poet Wang Anshi once wrote poems praising its beauty, it has many varieties, and its colors are very attractive. Such a beautiful flower is of course a common guest in homes. Below, the editor introduces the cultivation methods and pest control for potted begonias. I hope everyone enjoys it.

Cultivation Methods for Potted Begonias

Light Requirements for Potted Begonias

Begonias are very intolerant of places without sufficient sunlight. If you want to place begonias in a spot with good light conditions, it is better to expose them to sunlight. Begonias do not grow well in cool places. However, in the hot summer, proper shading is necessary to prevent the sun from burning the flowers and leaves.

Soil Requirements for Potted Begonias

The growth of begonias requires relatively loose alkaline soil, which can be added to the soil at the base of the roots or mixed with river sand. The potted depth for begonias should not be too deep, which is beneficial for better root extension. It can be based on the size of the plant, usually 12 cm from the pot.

Nutrient Requirements for Potted Begonias

In spring, when applying fertilizer at sprouting, some organic fertilizer should be applied to supplement nutrients. After fertilizing, water once to promote plant growth. When autumn leaves fall, fertilize as in spring. After the begonia blooms, phosphorus and potassium fertilizer need to be applied. Under normal circumstances, some special begonia fertilizer can be used.

Water Requirements for Potted Begonias

Begonias like a humid environment. When watering, it is better to keep the soil moist; water in summer and do not water in winter. Avoid rain to prevent excessive water at the roots.

Pruning Methods for Potted Begonias

To ensure better growth and flowering of begonias, it is necessary to prune the branches and leaves in early spring after the begonia leaves appear, cutting off weak branches, diseased branches, long branches, and dense branches. Thin out parts according to the specific situation. Prune and promote more branches.

Temperature Requirements for Potted Begonias

Begonias are cold-resistant and like ventilation. Usually, begonias can be placed in a ventilated place, such as a courtyard or balcony. If the winter temperature is particularly low, proper protective measures are necessary.

Begonia Pests and Control

Begonia Pest: Aphids

Introduction to Aphids

Aphids are common pests of plants. Aphids can harm green leaves and leaves, sucking sap, causing new buds to stop growing, leaves to appear twisted and shrunken, and also bringing sooty mold and viral diseases, which are prone to occur in spring. They usually appear in early April, gradually decrease after mid-June, and begin to increase again after mid-August until the leaves end.

Control Methods for Aphids

The most direct method is to cut off the branches with pests. It can also be controlled with imidacloprid water dispersible granules, beta-cyhalothrin emulsion, butyl thiocarbamate emulsifiable concentrate, acetamiprid water dispersible granules, etc. Please note that these medications are not suitable for early spring.

Begonia Pest: Thrips

Introduction to Thrips

Begonia Pest: Lace Bugs

Introduction to Lace Bugs

Lace bugs often hide behind leaves sucking the sap from veins, pale spots appear on the front of the leaves, gradually becoming patches, the back of the leaves becomes rusty and thickened, ultimately causing leaf drop, and in severe cases causing leaves to fall off or the first bloom to be affected.

Control and Treatment Methods for Lace Bugs

Lace bugs are relatively fragile and can be sprayed with general insecticides. They can be used in combination with acetamiprid water dispersible granules, beta-cyhalothrin emulsion, imidacloprid water dispersible granules, fenvalerate emulsifiable concentrate, abamectin emulsifiable concentrate, etc.

Thrips can cause great damage to branches and twigs, especially tender tips. In the early stage of the disease, because the tender buds have not yet unfolded, thrips hide inside sucking sap and are not easy to find. At the end of the disease, young leaves turn yellow-brown and greasy, gradually withering. As if burned, they are often mistaken for drought or lack of water or sunburn. Thrips are heat-resistant and usually appear in early May. The most severe damage is from July to August.

Thrips Prevention and Treatment Methods

The most direct method is to remove the young buds, which can control the disease in a short time. It can also be controlled with acetamiprid water dispersible granules, imidacloprid water dispersible granule diluted solution, thiamethoxam wettable powder, or nitenpyram aqueous solution and other agents.

Begonia Pest: Stem Sawflies

Introduction to Stem Sawflies

The larvae of stem sawflies harm young buds and cause the death of treetops. Adult stem sawflies usually begin laying eggs in late April each year. From late April to early May, the larvae begin to feed on young branches, causing young buds to droop and die. Branches from the previous two years are damaged and remain until September.

Control Methods for Stem Sawflies

Directly cut the branches used for bedding. It can also be controlled with abamectin emulsifiable concentrate, chlorpyrifos soluble powder, butyl thiocarbamate emulsifiable concentrate, 3% hypertonic fenoxycarb emulsifiable concentrate 1, etc.

Begonia Pest: Longhorn Beetles

Introduction to Longhorn Beetles

Longhorn beetles usually live in trees for three years. In the first two years, the larvae will feed on the tree, and in the third year they will emerge and mate to lay eggs. It is one of the most important and destructive pests of dried wood.

Control Methods for Longhorn Beetles

In mid-to-late May each year, according to the holes of the beetles, spray cypermethrin microcapsules (Green Weilei) near the trunk and trunk branch points to kill adult beetles emerging from holes, and spray again after 40 to 50 days. For larvae of beetles in the trunk, manually inject 5 times diluted dichlorvos emulsifiable concentrate or chlorpyrifos emulsifiable concentrate, and seal with soil to kill the larvae. For planted seedlings, natural enemies can be released from the tubers; in severe cases, the tubers can be carried by tuber-swelling bees.

Begonia Pest: Red Spider Mites

Introduction to Red Spider Mites

The degree of damage from red spider mites is closely related to climate and planting density. It is most severe in arid areas and intensive planting. Red spider mites mainly harm old leaves, usually parasitizing on the back of a leaf. Larvae, nymphs, and adults suck sap from the back of leaves, causing white and chlorotic spots on the leaves. In severe cases, it is grayish-white, and eventually many leaves fall off.

Control Methods for Red Spider Mites

It can be controlled with medicinal plants such as eucalyptus emulsifiable concentrate, thiazolone emulsifiable concentrate, snail, styrene-butadiene emulsifiable concentrate, triazole WP and 2-pair hyperthyroid WP.

Begonia Pest: Stinging Moths

Introduction to Stinging Moths

Stinging moths have many spines on their bodies. If you accidentally touch them, it will cause redness and pain, and the pain will be severe. If serious, it will cause lymphatic inflammation. The larvae of stinging moths feed on the flesh on the back of old leaves, leaving transparent net-like veins. Older larvae feed on all leaves. Stinging moths are a group of organisms that feed together and often gather to cause leaf damage. They usually occur in June, and are most severe from August to September.

Control Methods for Stinging Moths

It can be controlled with beta-cypermethrin emulsion, fenvalerate emulsifiable concentrate, abamectin emulsifiable concentrate, siccative alcohol salt emulsifiable concentrate and phoxim emulsifiable concentrate.

Pruning Methods for Begonias

Spring Pruning

In spring, begonias begin to sprout, which requires a lot of nutrients. It is necessary to cut off dead branches, weak branches, diseased branches, horizontal branches, piled branches, and excessive branches of begonias to promote the sprouting of begonias. Promote the growth of new buds. Attention should be paid to cutting some long branches and leaves according to the shape needs of begonias, to promote branching of branches, increase the number of flowering branches, and ensure that the flowers are unique the following year.

Pruning After Flowering

Different varieties of begonias have different growth periods. According to the different flowering periods of begonias, prune the leaves and leaves of begonias two weeks after flowering. Cut crowded branches and protruding branches. Long branches can be truncated to keep 3 to 4 branches shooting from the base. This is beneficial for increasing the short branches that form flower buds.

Pruning After Leaf Drop

After the leaves of begonias drop, in order to better grow winter buds and maintain winter nutrition, as in spring, dead branches, weak branches, diseased branches, crossing branches, piled branches, and excessive branches of begonias should be cut. At the same time, attention should be paid to maintaining the overall shape of the begonia.