If you love begonias, you might have some in your home. Or that you are planning to buy one in particular. How about a masonry begonia? Its care is very easy to apply and in return you will have a plant that is characterized by a cross on its leaves.
But what does the masonry begonia look like? What care do you need to always be happy? If it’s the first time you’ve listened to it, or if you have it at home and want to know if you’re doing it right, here we’ll tell you everything.
Contents
How is the masonic begonia
Before telling you about the maintenance of masonian begonia, it is important that you know what this plant looks like. It is native to Southeast Asia and the truth is that it does not grow too much since it will only reach about 30 to 50 centimeters.
The most striking thing about this plant are its iron cross-shaped leaves. Additionally, they have a very defined pattern of a cross between red and brown in the center. If you see them, they will look like they are woven or embroidered, which is another point to consider about this.
And it blooms? Yes, although many say that this bloom is insignificant, but the truth is that these flowers are very special and curious. They’re very small and don’t compete with the leaves, but their clusters are pretty to look at nonetheless.
Although we can say that it is persistent, it is possible that it dies in winter to come back in spring (provided you protect it, of course).
Caring for masonry begonia
If you have a masonian begonia, you will realize that its maintenance is not complicated at all, quite the contrary. And if you’re going to have it, it’s good that you know what they are. Anyway, here we leave you the main thing you need to know.
Flash
This plant needs light. To be able to be many. But he doesn’t like direct sun so try putting him in a very bright room.
As for the hours the light needs, we advise that the more you give, the better.
location and temperature
This is one of the most frequently asked questions. Should I put it inside the house or outside? In its natural habitat, it is outdoors, of course. But the temperatures in which it lives are between 15 and 22 degrees. In other words, it’s a tricky plant with these.
If there is a sudden change in temperature, he will suffer, and you can lose him just because of that. Thus, if you cannot ensure a suitable outdoor climate, it is better to have it inside the house in an area free of drafts, air conditioners or radiators, which more or less maintain this humidity. .
That said, you may have noticed that it does not tolerate cold or frost. In fact, it is possible that in winter you will lose it completely. But if you protect the pot well and do not water it, in the spring you may be surprised that it starts again.
Substrate and graft
The masonry begonia likes to have a light soil and, above all, with spaces that allow the roots to air. So if you want to change pot or soil because it seems to you that it is already very degraded, it is better to use a mixture with drainage. You can use compost or universal soil and akadama (although this is what is added to bonsai, in this case it will allow the soil not to clump together and to breathe easily.
Now, when to graft? The indication that will tell you that the plant needs a transplant are the roots. When you see these sticking out from the bottom, it is best to change it to another jar. But be careful, do not change it to very large, it is better to change it to a larger size than it currently has. For example, if you have it in a 14cm pot, move it to a 15 or 16cm pot, no bigger as this will help you not have to overdo it with watering (and that is one of the Masonic begonia care you should control the most).
Irrigation
It is something that will take you down the street of bitterness. You see, in its natural habitat, it lives in places with high humidity. And you might think it needs very heavy watering to keep the soil always moist. But if you overdo it, it rots.
We therefore recommend that you water when you notice that the substrate has dried out. Because? Because this way you will avoid this problem. In fact, if you look at some websites they will tell you that you have to water every 2 times a week in the summer and only once in the winter, but the truth is that it will depend on each climate. Some will do well, some won’t.
One trick you can try is sticking a toothpick in the ground to see if it’s wet or not. Keep in mind that when using a “big” drain, there will be no water accumulation, so the moisture will remain for a time depending on whether your climate is drier or less .
Humidity
Equally important is this Masonic begonia care. And it is that it likes humidity, but it does not like the leaves to be sprinkled.
So the best you can do is:
- Buy a humidifier and put it on the plant several times a day.
- Put it on a plate full of pebbles and water (don’t touch the plant) so that when the water evaporates, it feeds.
Pass
Every 15 days, from spring to summer, you need to use a fertilizer rich in nitrogen to feed the plant. It will thank you with increased leaf production.
Of course, try not to wear it during the hours of greatest solar incidence because, although you won’t have it in direct sunlight, it is best to use it first thing in the morning or late after- noon.
Cut
Masonry begonia does not need pruning. But it is true that damaged, burned or withered leaves must be removed, as they are sources of infection by pests or diseases.
In addition, in the spring, when it blooms, many experts recommend cutting these flowers, since they consume a lot of energy from the plant and do not spend it on the leaves. Whether you want it to flower or not is up to you.
Plagues and diseases
In this aspect, you should pay attention to the factors that will make your begonia sick. In general, it can be affected by nematodes, that is, worms, as well as whiteflies.
Fungi like powdery mildew or botrytis can also affect it, but not killing it will only make its leaves look very ugly.
If you take good care of it and provide a remedy for these problems, even if you think the plant is going away, you may have a surprise in the spring because in most cases it will grow back once the “crisis” is over. .
the reproduction
Reproduction of Masonic begonia is quite easy to perform. Just cut a stem with leaves and plant it in another pot (some say it’s better to leave 1-2 days before doing this so that the wound closes well and does not rot).
Another option is to take a leaf with a petiole of at least 10 cm. Once you have cut it, you must have the petiole only in water, until it takes root, and finally plant it.
Is Masonic begonia care clear to you?