There is no doubt that begonias are one of the most beautiful plants because of their colorful flowers. It is for this reason that they attract so many eyes. But also the ease of adapting to the outdoors or being indoor begonias means that one can enjoy this plant like one wants
But, if you want to keep it at home and keep it healthy, the first thing you need to know is what are the main care you need to provide if you have it in a pot indoors. House. And we can help you with that.
Contents
How are begonias
Before providing you with the care you need, know that in the world there are 1500 species of begonias. However, of all of them, only 150 are the most common for gardens and interiors.
These 150 can be divided into three groups:
- Rhizomatous. Which ones have a rod inside the earth that serves as a reserve store. These would be Imperialis, Rexo hispidas.
- Tuberose. They are the ones who have the roots in a tuber. The most common are Pearcei, Elatior or Evasianas.
- Paperback. It is they who have not only the main root, but also other secondary roots. For example, semperflorens, venosa or incanas.
Why are we talking to you about this? Well, each group of begonias usually has specific needs, whether it’s temperature or irrigation, and you need to know which type of begonia you need to care for depending on your group.
Indoor Begonia Care
Really begonias They adapt to living outdoors as well as indoors. that’s why it’s hard to tell you which species of the 150 are best (or need) to be indoors. But below we give you the care they need according to their needs (and type of plant).
Location
The begonia is both an indoor and an outdoor plant, which means that it adapts to anything as long as you meet its needs.
Of course, when setting it up, in the case of indoor begonias, one must choose a bright place where it can receive sunlight but filtered. It is not necessary to spend many hours in the sun, as it prefers a small amount.
The best? Find a place where you can enjoy early morning sunlight. Only with this, and keeping it in a bright place, he will be happy.
Temperature
This is where we need to take care of ourselves the most. While you can provide you with a temperature of more than 18 degrees Celsius will be comfortable. Your dream? From 18 to 28. If there are temperature drops, you can suffer.
Let us now see according to the previous division:
- Rhizomatous plants need a temperature above 15 degrees.
- The tuberoses last a little longer, if you have it at 13 degrees they will be happy. Of course, beyond 5 degrees it suffers a lot. In addition, in summer, due to high temperatures, it will lose its leaves, which will not return until autumn. It will then be time to remove the tubers and leave them in a dark, dry place to plant them at the end of the summer.
- Fascicles from 10 degrees also develop well.
Earth
As for the soil, having it indoors, and also in a pot, is a bit more demanding than other plants.
In general, you can put a mixture of soil for flowering plants and substrate for bonsai (or akadama, so that there is a lot of drainage but at the same time moisture is preserved in these stones).
Irrigation
In this case, watering begonias does not allow us to tell you what the watering scheme is, since it will depend on each plant.
begonias they are very delicate with irrigation, which is why they should only be watered when you notice that the soil is dry, by inserting a finger or a stick. It is true that they say that the earth must always be moist, but as you can see, to water it you have to wait until it dries.
Notice, you need a place with a high humidity to feel good. You can achieve this by placing the pot on a plate filled with stones and water, thus preventing it from coming into contact with the pot but benefiting from the humidity created in it.
Avoid having to water it every x days or x times a week. Everything will depend on your climate, humidity and temperature so that it needs more or less water.
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Indoor begonias generally grow well, but it is true that they do need a little fertilizer from time to time to help them with nutrients.
In general, fertilization should be done at the time of flowering. In bloom, every 20 days add a dose of liquid fertilizer for flowering plants.
And those that are in sheets? These are best to use fertilizer for green plants applying the same scheme (every 20 days add a dose).
Plagues and diseases
Thrips, mites and aphids. These are the main pests that wreak havoc on indoor begonias. Also spiders, scale insects and beetles.
And it is that the begonia is a plant to which many insects have an “affection” and can kill it. To defend it, try spraying alcohol to ward off these pests.
Cut
Yes, indoor begonias can be pruned. And it’s done because you have to do it all year round cleaning up dead leaves and flowersbecause if you don’t, it will affect its health and it may start shedding more leaves, and pests may come after it.
Multiplication
Begonias can be propagated in three ways: seeds, division of the rhizome or by leaf cuttings (yes, for the leaves).
The seeds do not have much mystery, since they must be planted in January-February and make a sort of greenhouse in the nursery to put them in the shade and with a temperature between 20 and 23 degrees. You need to keep them moist and only when they germinate is the plastic covering removed to take them somewhere with more light (gradual reduction in temperature to 18 degrees).
As for the division of the rhizome, it will consist in dividing the plant or the tuber into parts so that each gives flowers.
Finally, the Cutting consists of cutting a healthy leaf and, with a knife, make squares of 2-3cm side. These, with the underside down, are placed in a tray with moistened soil and covered with transparent plastic. Take it to a lighted place with a temperature of 21 degrees.
In a month or a month and a half you will have new plants and they will need light (not direct). Only when you see that they are large can you transplant them.
Do you have any doubts about caring for indoor begonias? Ask us!