How to grow the Begonias
How to grow the Begonias
The Begonia (Begonia L.) is a genus of perennial plants of tropical origin of the Begoniaceae family, which includes about 1,600 species, which have different male and female flowers among them for some differences.
For the cultivation of the begonias in the garden, it must be remembered that this is a plant that grows well in a warm and humid climate, preferably placed in a shaded area (in a sunny area it suffers) and with a substratum rich in compost. Remember that being plants of tropical origin need, especially in the harshest climates of a winter protection from the cold. Begonias reproduce both by seed and by cutting. Reproduction by cuttings is very easy and of high engraftment. For this reason, once you buy a mother plant, you can reproduce it indefinitely, taking it containing some leaves and sheltered from the sun. If you start from seed instead, this should be placed in the ground in spring or autumn.
Begonia should be watered every two or three days and with a frequency even daily in the summer but without ever causing water stagnation.
Like many flowering plants it can also be grown in pots; in this case a soil should be prepared with little calcium and rich in humus.
Clearly, for the cultivation in pots, an area of ​​the house, terrace or balcony should be chosen with exposure to the sun. It is preferable to place the plant in large pots in order to make it develop according to its attitude and with a good vegetative development.
Just as in the garden, cultivation in pots must take into account drainage. When placing the plant in a pot make sure to place very permeable material in the bottom of the container (perlite, crushed stone, etc.) and a light substrate rich in organic substance in order to be sure of creating the optimal conditions for its growth .
One of the best known and most striking is the Begonia rex; this species is native to India; It has smooth or roughly colored heart-shaped leaves, with red, black, green or silver streaks, which can reach 30 cm in length and with insignificant flowers.
If you live in the submontane areas of northern Italy, remember that it is frequent the Begonia believers with reddish stems over a meter high, has large leaves green-bronzed ovate with red back, white-pink inflorescences. This plant prefers cool and shady places and does not fear frost, as long as the soil is properly mulched with leaves of the forest. The multiplication occurs by cutting or division of the rhizomes.
Finally, it is useful to know that begonia is a plant useful for perfuming environments and for purifying the air in domestic or work environments.