When to sow begonia for seedlings. Begonia from seeds at home - how to grow a healthy specimen yourself

Begonias are considered mid-December - early January. For planting you will need shallow boxes filled with nutritious and loose substrate, consisting of:
- 2 parts humus;
- 1 part of leaf soil;
- 1 part sand.

Begonia seeds are very small, so there is no need to plant them in the soil. Lightly compact the surface of the substrate and sow the seeds.

To disinfect, the soil must be moistened with a solution of foundationazole.

For the convenience of gardeners, manufacturers often make seeds in, sowing them is much easier. Use for planting. Place them in a container and wet them. After the tablets have swollen, place one seed at a time on the surface and press down a little.

Cover the box with glass and place it in a bright and warm place at home. For begonia to germinate, a temperature of 20-22°C is required. Water every day in the morning with warm water using a spray bottle, and ventilate for an hour. Periodically wipe off condensation from the glass, since drops falling on crops can cause begonia seedlings to rot. After 2 weeks, when all the seeds have sprouted, the glass can be completely removed.

Place the container with the seedlings in a sunny but cooler place with a temperature of 17-19 ° C, water as the top layer in the box dries. About a month after planting, when 3-4 true leaves appear, plant the begonia in small peat pots. Dig up and plant plants very carefully so as not to damage the fragile root system.

When growing begonia seedlings in peat tablets, water the plants through a tray.

At the beginning of May, take the boxes with begonia seedlings into the greenhouse. On warm sunny days they need to be opened, gradually accustoming the seedlings to external conditions. Already at the end of May, the shelter can be completely removed to harden young plants.

How to plant seedlings in open ground

Plant begonia seedlings in open ground after the threat of return frosts has passed in early June. A week before planting in open ground, feed the plants with potassium phosphate at the rate of 5 g per 10 liters of water and reduce the watering dose.

When planting begonia seedlings in a flowerbed, the soil surface must be thoroughly leveled and moistened. Make small holes and place plants in them. Place the roots freely, leaving the root collar on the surface of the soil. The distance between seedlings is usually 10 cm, and between rows - 13-15 cm.

If the plant varieties are low-growing, then the distance between flowers can be reduced to 7-8 cm. Ampelous begonia is best grown in hanging pots and flowerpots.

Growing begonia from seeds is a rather troublesome task that requires constant monitoring. Usually, ever-flowering or decorative deciduous varieties of this plant are obtained in this way. Growing tuberous begonias by seed is also possible, but requires large quantity time. For a successful result, it is necessary to select high-quality planting material, a good time for planting and follow a number of agrotechnical rules.

Description of the plant and popular varieties

Begonia is a low growing shrub or herbaceous plant with beautiful flowers of bright colors. Begonia leaves and stems differ in color and shape depending on the variety. The following types of begonia are most often grown at home.

Ampelous begonia is distinguished by flowing shoots, the length of which can reach 45 cm. Flowers are located from the level of the 5th–6th leaf node in the leaf axils. Each flower does not live longer than 10 days, and a new one soon appears in place of the fallen one. For this reason, flowering seems to be continuous and continues until late autumn. Among the most famous varieties of hanging begonia are Chanson with lush red, white or yellow flowers.

Tuberous begonia has a tuber-shaped rhizome and tall, fleshy stems up to 80 cm long. The flowers can be single or double, reminiscent of roses, camellias, carnations or peonies. They can be small (from 3 cm) or large (up to 20 cm), located singly or in inflorescences. The most common varieties are Duck Red, Picoti Harlequin, and Bouton de Rose.

Begonia everflowering is a complex hybrid that successfully combines the qualities of the parent varieties. It is a low-growing shrub with fleshy stems and smooth, round-heart-shaped leaves. The flowers can be white, pink or red in color, collected in various inflorescences. Terry varieties have been bred with big amount petals in a flower that resemble miniature roses in shape. Only about 600 varieties of ever-flowering begonia are known, including indoor growing You can highlight Ray, Queen, Cocktail.

Bolivian Begonia is a tuberous plant with long, trailing stems. Its stems can reach a length of 80 cm, hanging down in several tiers. The flowers, which have a bright orange color, are located on short peduncles in groups of 2–3 pieces. This type of begonia is perfect for growing in pots and containers, as it grows well in a small amount of soil. To the most known varieties include Santa Cruz, Bonaparte, Belavista.

Planting seeds

Begonia from seeds at home can be grown in seedlings, while great importance has where the flower will grow. So, for indoor keeping, it is necessary to sow the seeds already in December, and for growing in the garden, sowing the seeds is transferred to early spring. For areas with a warm climate, it is necessary to sow begonia at the end of March or at the beginning of April, so that the seedlings are not overgrown by the time of transplantation.

Begonia seeds must be purchased at the store. There are two types of them on sale:

• ordinary, very small and inconvenient for beginner gardeners;
• granulated, coated with a special coating.

For beginning flower lovers, it is more convenient to work with granulated seeds. They are easier to distribute over the surface of the soil, maintaining a certain distance. Ordinary small seeds are simply sown in a container, and then the seedlings are thinned out. In order not to expose the fragile root system to unnecessary stress, it is more convenient to plant granulated seeds in special peat tablets.

The step-by-step landing process looks like this:

1. 1. Peat tablets are placed in a tray with water and left to soak.
2. 2. The seeds are laid out on the surface of the tablets and sprinkled with water so that the granule penetrates inside. There is no need to specially bury the seeds.
3. 3. Cover the top of the container with film or glass. For watering and ventilation, the cover must be removed periodically.
4. 4. Watering is carried out through a tray, making sure that the peat tablets do not dry out.

This method has only one drawback - begonia seeds themselves take a long time to germinate, and germination of coated seeds requires even more time. After all, you also need to wait until the shell is completely dissolved.

Since not all seeds may germinate, for successful cultivation you need to use twice as much material.

If ordinary seeds are used for planting, they are planted in a container with light soil. The day before planting, the soil should be watered abundantly. To facilitate the work, the seeds are mixed with sand and distributed in a thin layer on the soil surface. Then the container is covered with glass or film and placed in a warm, bright place where a constant temperature of +25 degrees will be maintained. Seeds planted in this way germinate in 10–25 days.

Growing seedlings

Since begonia sprouts are very small, thread-like, they can be difficult to notice. Regular watering is necessary for their proper development. This is done carefully, using a syringe, or humidification is carried out using the bottom method through a tray. The greenhouse in which the seedlings develop must be opened regularly to ventilate and remove condensation. It is imperative to provide high-quality lighting, but make sure that direct sunlight does not fall on the plants. To do this, you need to shade the sprouts at midday. If daylight hours are short, it is necessary to supplement the seedlings with artificial light. Daylight hours should be at least 12 hours.

Two weeks after the emergence of seedlings, it is necessary to apply fertilizer for decorative deciduous plants. In this case, you need to make the solution concentration 3–4 times less than the recommended one. After the seedlings have become a little stronger, the soil can be loosened periodically. Gradually, the shelter is removed and the grown begonia is accustomed to indoor conditions.

It is very important to monitor the condition of the leaves during this period. If they fall down, then the container with seedlings must be closed. The soil should be constantly moist, but not wet. Excess moisture provokes the appearance of a white coating on the seedlings and rotting of the root system.

Picking

If peat tablets were used to germinate the seed, then picking is not necessary. You just need to tear the shell of the tablet from the bottom edge and transplant the seedlings into a larger container along with the soil.

For seedlings grown in containers, picking is mandatory, since over time they become cramped in one container. The procedure is carried out after the appearance of the third true leaf, if the plant looks healthy and strong:

1. 1. Holes are made in the bottom of plastic cups and a layer of drainage is added.
2. 2. The containers are filled with soil in which the seeds were germinated.
3. 3. The sprouts are carefully lifted with a teaspoon and transferred to a glass with soil along with a lump of earth. After moving, be sure to water the plants.

The seedlings are placed in a warm place, but to prevent them from stretching, the temperature can be slightly lowered. After two weeks, another feeding is done. 25 days after picking, the seedlings can be planted in a permanent place in a pot or garden.

Begonia care

Transplantation of seedlings to a permanent place is carried out at the end of May, when the plant is already well formed. Begonia is transplanted using the transshipment method so as not to injure the fragile root system and tender shoots. The soil for begonia is light and loose with good nutritional properties.

After transplanting to a permanent location, caring for the plant consists of proper watering and regular feeding. For irrigation use settled or filtered warm water. In summer, watering should be plentiful, but there is no need to flood the plant. You need to irrigate twice a week, and in hot weather the plant is moistened as the soil dries out. Excess water accumulating in the pan must be drained after a while. In autumn, begonia is watered less frequently, and with the onset of winter the amount is reduced to a minimum.

It is necessary to feed the plant during the period of bud formation with liquid complex fertilizers once every two weeks. After flowering ends, fertilizing is stopped. IN winter time The use of fertilizers is generally prohibited.

Begonia - very beautiful ornamental plant, one of the most beloved by gardeners, both experienced and amateur. It can fall into the heart of every farmer, simply because there are many different varieties of this flower. You can propagate begonia in many ways, and you are free to choose the one that is most convenient for you; however, growing begonia from seeds at home is considered the most successful if you want to get a large number of flower specimens at once. Let's figure out exactly how to implement our idea by studying the material presented.

The varietal diversity of begonias can amaze even an experienced gardener. So, in total there are about two thousand varieties of this plant, among which you can find specimens:

• annuals;
• perennial;
• evergreen;
• decorative flowering or deciduous;
• deciduous;
• rhizomatous and other varieties.

Not only are you free to choose any variety that interests you, suitable according to the desired parameters, but initially you can also determine the method in which you want to propagate this or that plant.

So, the most common breeding methods are:

• rooting cuttings obtained from begonia;
• tuberous division;
• growing a plant from a torn leaf plate or part of a leaf;
• dividing an adult begonia bush;
• growing seedlings from seeds.

If you are an inexperienced gardener, then the easiest way for you to grow begonia for the first time is from a tuber divided into several segments, or by cuttings, since both of these methods practically do not involve any subtleties or difficulties.

However, these simplified techniques have one caveat: they are unable to provide you with a large number of seedlings at one time, so if you need to plant begonias large territory, and you do not know how to select large quantities of material suitable for vegetative propagation of begonias, it is best for you to pay attention to the sowing method of cultivating this plant.

The generative method of breeding begonias, of course, is much longer and, of course, labor-intensive, however, it is this method that can show the greatest productivity.

In order for the propagation of begonia using seeds to be successful, it is necessary to follow some rules, which we discuss below in the article.

Prices for begonia seeds

begonia seeds

Begonia from seeds: cultivation

The rules for growing begonia from seeds are somewhat different from our usual methods of growing seedlings for flowers, since the seeds of this plant themselves are completely different from the usual seeds from flower boxes. Even if compared to poppy seeds, begonia seeds will be much smaller, because they are more like dust than balls. So how do you manage such a small seed?

Preparing containers for seed germination

A properly selected container for growing begonia from seeds is a very important step towards obtaining healthy samples of the plant of interest to us. So, the basic requirements for flowerware are as follows:

• it should be shallow;
• have compact dimensions.

So, perfect for our idea:

• containers for growing seedlings, sold in gardening stores;
• wooden boxes with low sides;
• peat trays;
• even silicone muffin molds will perfectly serve as a pot for young begonias.

In such a container it will not only be convenient to care for the sprouts, but also then carry out the picking procedure, assigning the begonia to a permanent place of residence in other containers.

Prices for peat tablets

peat tablets

Selecting the soil

As you know, soil is the main nutrient medium for plants, which contains all the substances necessary for the development of a flower. However, not every soil will have a beneficial effect on the growth of begonia.

So, this plant shows the best results when it is in the ground:

• slightly acidic;
• neutral.

Such soil can either be purchased in a store or made independently by mixing the following ingredients:

• leaf soil obtained by rotting a large amount of foliage, in an amount equal to ½ of the total volume of the mixture;
• peat, in an amount equal to ¼ of the amount of future soil;
• sand, in an amount similar to peat.

The resulting soil mixture must be sifted using an ordinary sieve to remove excess impurities and lumps, and then filled with it in the trays prepared for planting.

Note: If you don’t have time or don’t have the desire to mix the soil for begonias, then you can use peat tablets, immediately equipped with a mesh for holding them, to grow seedlings.

This nutrient medium is also excellent for growing these flowers, however, it is worth remembering that it must be constantly moistened, because it dries out quickly. If this is not done, the plant seeds simply will not survive.

Prices for soil for begonias

soil for begonias

How to sow begonia seeds correctly

If you are a beginner gardener, the best option you will be able to use granulated begonia seeds - an industrial version of plant seeds, which are much easier to plant than to deal with self-collected, unprocessed seed “dust”.

However, if you are not looking for easy ways, and want to propagate a specific begonia without resorting to purchasing industrial raw materials, follow the recommendations from the instructions presented below.

Step No. 1 - wait for the required sowing time

As you know, every plant that exists in the world lives according to its own biological clock. So, this statement is also true for begonia. In order for it to develop properly and please you with the results of the work done, you need to start sowing seeds in late January - early February.

The most optimal time for planting begonia seeds in the ground is the end of January-beginning of February

The fact is that after planting the seeds, begonia will produce its first flowers no earlier than 5 months later, so you should not delay it. However, it is also not worth starting to plant the seed at the beginning of winter, since this does not meet the natural needs of the flower.

Step No. 2 - preparing soil suitable for growing plants

We have already said what kind of soil begonias need. You can:

• or make a nutrient mixture using soil, peat, sand;
• or buy peat tablets.

The soil will need to be placed in boxes and moistened, having previously been leveled, in order to finally prepare it for planting seeds.

Step No. 3 - plant the seeds

Previously collected begonia seeds should be placed on the surface of the soil placed in pots. There is no need to cover them with soil from above.

Please note this interesting tip: If you are afraid that you will not be able to distribute the seed evenly, first lay snow on the surface of the ground and sprinkle the seeds on top. When the snow mass begins to melt under the influence of room heat, the seed will be evenly distributed naturally.

If you did not use snow when planting, then you will need to spray the sown soil with a spray bottle, preferably so that the water is not too cold.

The seeded pot needs to be turned into the home equivalent of a greenhouse, so it should be covered with one of the following:

• glass;
• film;
• plastic cap;
• package;
• wet gauze, etc.

This covering can be removed immediately after the shoots appear, literally 2-3 days after they break through the ground, so that the small stems of the “newborn” begonia do not have to struggle with the heavy covering material on their own.

Step No. 4 - place the boxes and wait for the seeds to germinate

Placement of seeded boxes should be done at home in a well-heated place, so that the crops are constantly in the zone temperature regime, equal to approximately 23-25°C.

As soon as begonia shoots emerge from the ground, you will need to take care of arranging additional lighting for it; it is better to use fluorescent lamps. Small begonias need to extend daylight hours to 12 hours.

Growing begonia seedlings on peat tablets

If you decide that you will use peat tablets as soil, then it is better to choose industrially produced granulated seeds. Using them, it is quite simple to carry out an accurate landing, and thus get rid of the associated various preparatory materials difficulties. In addition, all begonias grown on peat tablets do not need to be planted, thereby exposing the seedlings to danger.

Table 1. Growing seedlings in peat tablets

Steps	Description
Step No. 1 - prepare the peat	The preparation of peat in this case will consist of placing the tablets in a tray and soaking them with copious amounts of water at room temperature.
Step No. 2 - spread the begonia seed granule on the peat	There is one granule of begonia seeds per peat tablet; it would be correct to place the selected dragee in the middle of the tablet and leave it there without pressing the soil into the body.
Step No. 3 – moistening the seed	The top of the begonia seed must be moistened using a spray bottle with warm water, since the moisture previously absorbed by the peat tablet is not enough for our purposes.
Step No. 4 – create a mini-greenhouse	To maintain the level of humidity we need, we need to cover the peat tablet with the seed if we don’t have it at hand plastic container, or a package, a regular glass glass will do just fine.
Step #5 – water regularly	Watering the plant should be carried out regularly, so that the peat mass does not dry out, through the pan. It is also necessary to moisten the soil using a spray bottle so as not to overdo it with the amount of water. The temperature at which the planted seeds should be kept should not exceed 20°C.

Seedling care

Before removing the covering material from our improvised greenhouses, the sprouts need to be gradually accustomed to uncomfortable conditions environment. So, for this:

• the covering material is removed from the pot;
• after about 15 minutes they return it back.

Such ventilation accustoms the plant not only to low temperatures, but also to the circulation of air currents. The total time of such air baths for begonias should not be more than an hour and a half per day.

Note: Such hardening not only increases the vitality of plants, but also helps prevent the development of fungal diseases, which often occur in soil with excess moisture.

As soon as the glass is completely removed, the begonia sprouts will immediately need to be moved to a well-lit place, but, nevertheless, protected from direct sunlight. At this time, there is no need to feed the begonia, since this procedure is carried out exclusively after picking.

Transplanting seedlings

Picking up seedlings of begonia, which you yourself grew from seeds, must be done in three stages. We will consider which ones in the table below.

Table 1. Stages of picking begonia seedlings grown at home from seeds

Stage	Description
Stage No. 1	The first time, seedlings are picked in slightly larger containers, while the composition of the soil used remains the same. The plant placement pattern is 3 by 3 centimeters (3 centimeters between sprouts in a row and 3 centimeters between rows). After the first picking, you need to return the covering material to the surface of the container in order to maintain conditions close to greenhouse conditions for some time.
Stage No. 2	The second stage of picking is carried out exactly one month later. At this step, the flower placement scheme will be like this: 6 centimeters between shoots; 6 centimeters between rows. At the second stage, a certain amount of humus should be mixed into the soil, and then, after another 15 days, a complex garden fertilizer, sold in professional garden stores, will need to be added to the soil.
Stage No. 3	At the third stage, the plants are planted in a separate place of residence, in pots, the diameter of each of which does not exceed 8 centimeters. The time for the third stage of picking is a month before planting the plant in open ground. At this stage, the temperature of the plants should be 18°C. When to plant the plant in the garden will be determined by the weather conditions in your region, since if frost is possible, the probability that the plant will die is high.

How to choose a begonia variety

Breeders involved in the development of begonia varieties have tried to classify all varieties of the desired plant into three main categories. Knowing whether your plant belongs to one or another of the mentioned categories, you can determine what care is optimal for it and how best to propagate it.

Begonias deciduous

This category of begonias includes all varietal varieties of begonias that are most effectively propagated using vegetative propagation, that is, by separating leaves or shoots from the mother bush.

The reason for the preference for vegetative propagation is that for begonias of this variety it is quite difficult to obtain seeds at home, since:

• flowering greatly weakens the plant;
• Bringing flowers to seed kills the plant.

Since the beauty of the flowers of deciduous begonia varieties is not so attractive to gardeners, it is unlikely that any of them will force the seeds to appear by raping the plant.

In addition, all the difficulties mentioned can be avoided by simply buying seeds at a flower shop. By the way, the following varietal varieties of deciduous begonia are especially popular now:

• "Royal"
• "Griffin".

The second variety mentioned is a hybrid, and is valued for large leaves, looking impressive and decorating any room and garden.

To obtain leaf begonia seedlings, sowing can be done from the end of January to the end of February. However, here we are talking about begonia, which will then live in open ground, if we are talking about indoor plant, then sowing can be done at another time.

Bush begonias

IN this group includes ever-flowering begonia, which is very popular among Russian gardeners. Bush varieties of the plant we are considering, unfortunately, also do not bloom profusely, with the exception of a variety called “Elatior”. However, the lack of abundance of flowering is compensated by:

• life expectancy of buds;
• lack of winter dormancy

In the case of bush begonias, the preferred propagation methods are:

• purchase of ready-made seedlings;
• self-cultivation of seeds.

It is necessary to plant bush begonias in slightly acidic soil, using shallow boxes for planting plants. The optimal sowing time is January. It is best to mix small seeds with sand before immersing them in the soil. After laying out, the pot is covered with glass. The growing temperature is 21-24°C.

Tuberous begonias

This category of begonias is distinguished by its flowering big size and bright colors. The plants that represent it are perfect for growing in open ground, as well as in apartment conditions. Propagation of tuberous begonias is best done through:

• leaf cuttings;
• tubers.

If you decide to propagate begonia using tubers, this is how you can do it.

1. Find a large shoot of a plant whose shoots have already awakened.
2. Divide this tuber into segments, each segment should be equipped with one shoot.
3. At the third stage, the sections are disinfected and dried in order to minimize the risk of rotting.
4. The resulting segments go deep into the soil by exactly half their size.
5. After rooting, this container is covered with earth.

Initially, it is advisable to grow tuberous begonia from a seed, and only then it is necessary to propagate it for your own purposes by separating the tubers.

Let's sum it up

When choosing a begonia variety, you will need not only to decide on the preferred external characteristics of this plant, but also to understand what kind of care it will need. Growing begonias is best done from seeds, as this way you can get healthy, young seedlings. Subsequently, the plants grown from it will live long life without diseases, and will not require special care for themselves.

Video - Growing begonia from seeds

Begonias blooming profusely in the house and garden cause everyone's delight, so many plant lovers dream of learning how to grow begonias from seeds themselves. Unfortunately, these attempts often end in failure, and not only among novice gardeners. There are many reasons for this (the main one is the low quality of purchased seeds).
Firstly, the seeds of begonias are very small. Enclosing seeds in granules simplifies sowing, which must be superficial. Moreover, during the sowing process, the granules must be destroyed after being sprayed, which does not always happen - sometimes you have to resort to using needles or sharp toothpicks.
Secondly, germination of begonia seeds is uneven, and the smallest begonia seedlings take a very long time to develop before flowering. Therefore, it is necessary to additionally illuminate the seedlings, providing the seedlings with
Thirdly, begonia seedlings are very delicate: you need to use a sterile substrate and maintain optimal conditions for their development to avoid.

In order for sowing begonias to be successful, it is important to study the nuances of sowing and the requirements of begonia seedlings, strictly follow the recommendations of specialists and experienced amateur gardeners on the conditions for keeping begonias and their cultivation in the house and in the garden.

Expert advice: sowing dates, flowering and productivity of begonias

At the first (December) sowing date, evergreen begonia blooms after 110-130 days, and tuberous begonia after 150-155 days, that is, after 3.5-5 months.
During the second and third sowing periods (January, February), evergreen begonia blooms 5-15 days earlier, and tuberous begonia 10-15 days earlier.
At the latest sowing date, begonias bloom, respectively, after 125-130 and 175 days.

The duration of the flowering period of begonias sown at different times also turned out to be different.
At the first and second sowing dates: ever-flowering begonia bloomed for 100-115 days, tuberous begonia for 98-112 days. At the fourth sowing period, 83 and 67 days, respectively.

The seed productivity of begonias also varies significantly depending on the sowing time.

For December and January sowing periods: the weight of seeds per plant of everflowering begonia is 0.01-0.05 g, and that of tuberous begonia is 0.03-0.04 g.
With the February sowing time, seed productivity in both types of begonia decreases slightly.
Begonias sown in March in open ground practically do not produce seeds. And when they are grown in a greenhouse, with the use of additional pollination, you can get a good harvest of seeds.

The timing of sowing has a great influence on the formation of begonia tubers.
The most complete tubers (2-2.5 cm in diameter) are formed during the December and January sowing periods of begonias. In winter, such tubers are well preserved.
Begonia tubers sown in February grow much smaller. Their diameter reaches only 0.5 cm. During winter storage, they fall out by a third.
When sowing begonias in March, if the plants are grown in a greenhouse and the tubers are formed in pots, then by the end of the growing season they reach a diameter of 1-1.5 cm.

With very early sowing of evergreen begonia seeds, our plants turned out to be overgrown by the time they were planted in open ground. This leads to poor survival rate of seedlings and loss of decorative properties. Fewer flowers are formed on elongated shoots of begonias, and flowering begins in the greenhouse in early April. Therefore, the first two sowing periods are unsuitable for landscaping. The most optimal sowing time is February. In this case, by the beginning of June, when planted in the ground, begonia seedlings will have a well-developed root system and a compact bush.
With a March sowing date, evergreen begonia blooms 1.5 months later, after July 20. This period is used in cases where seedlings are planted on landscaping objects after early flowers.
In closed ground, where additional pollination is carried out, the first two periods for sowing begonias are most favorable - December and January.

For tuberous begonia, the best sowing time is January, so that by the time of planting in the ground the plants have time to form well-developed leaves and buds.
With a February sowing time, tuberous begonias bloom around June 25th.

For seed production in closed and open ground, the best dates for sowing begonias will be December 15 and January 15.
A sufficient number of begonia seeds can also be obtained from plants sown in March if the mother plants are brought into the greenhouse in the fall and artificially pollinated.

In the photo: tuberous begonia of the “Chanson” variety series: pink-white, orange-yellow, dark red

Sowing tuberous begonias

I have been growing tuberous begonias for many years. These beautiful plants decorate my garden in the summer, creating lovely corners in it. And tuberous begonias grow at home - on window sills, on the veranda. Wherever there is a suitable place for them, I have begonias arranged and hung.

I am also passionate about the selection of tuberous begonias. I select the most decorative, best specimens of begonias and artificially pollinate the flowers. However, this is only half the story. A lot of worries come with sowing begonia seeds and raising viable seedlings.

High quality seeds are the first prerequisite for successful sowing and breeding of tuberous begonias and obtaining new original forms.

Begonia seeds are very small, so it is difficult to determine their usefulness with the naked eye. Therefore, I use a 5x magnifying glass: I select round-ovoid begonia seeds, which resemble millet grains in shape. Flat and puny begonia seeds are unsuitable for sowing.

Tuberous begonias can be sown at any time of the year. But it is better to sow in November-January. With later sowing dates, it is almost impossible to obtain flowering specimens of tuberous begonias this year, as well as to obtain full-fledged tubers that can withstand winter storage. In addition, with the onset of autumn, such plants must be grown indoors, preferably also. Tuberous begonias cannot tolerate frosts, even minor ones.

To sow begonia seeds, I prepare the substrate in advance. I usually take loose, fertile soil and add crushed high-moor peat to it, which helps retain moisture in the soil. If the substrate contains large particles (pebbles, roots, peat fibers), then it must be sifted through a sieve. I mix clay soil with sand until it becomes loose and crumbly.
I disinfect the prepared substrate with a strong, hot (up to 100 degrees) solution of potassium permanganate. I also use it to wash the box or bowls intended for sowing begonias.

I place the slightly cooled substrate in a box, level and loosen the surface layer (this is convenient to do with a hair brush). Then I immediately scatter the begonia seeds without planting them in the soil.
I cover the box with begonia crops with glass and place it inclined (at an angle of 30-45 degrees) in a warm place (20-25 degrees Celsius). The water that accumulates as a result of condensation inside the glass flows to one of the edges of the box, without falling on the begonia seedlings.

After 7-8 days, the seeds of tuberous begonia germinate. From this point on, I periodically remove the glass to ventilate the crops. Otherwise, the tender begonia shoots may dry out.

I place the box with begonia seedlings in a bright place or illuminate them with DS lamps, adjusting the distance between the lamps and the plants as they develop. The distance should be about 7-15 cm.
Without artificial lighting and with a lack of natural light, begonia seedlings stretch out, lie down and may wither.

It must be taken into account that root system in young begonias it develops very slowly. They need to be watered regularly, but the substrate should not be too wet. Otherwise, the thin short roots of the begonia seedlings will rot, and only a memory will remain from the crops...

I carry out the first picking of begonias when the seedlings have the second or third true leaf. I plant them in the same soil at a distance of 2 cm from each other. In the future, I place the grown begonia seedlings when picking according to a 4x4 cm pattern.

With the onset of spring days, I shade young begonias from direct sunlight. By the time begonia seedlings are planted in the ground (late May or early June), the compact bushes look stronger. In mid-summer, seedlings of young tuberous begonias bloom.

Makarov A.S. (Gus-Khrustalny)

Begonia can rightfully be called an amazing plant. In beauty and aroma it is not inferior to capricious roses. You can grow begonia from seeds or tubers. Having planted seeds at home for the first time, in the future you will be able to propagate it more the easy way- tubers. Read on to learn how to do this correctly and how to care for it in the future so that the flower smells fragrant and pleases.

There are 3 main types of begonia:

Among the most popular varieties of tuberous (ever-blooming) begonia are the following: Camellia, Marmorata, Samba, Alcor, Pikoti, Ampelnaya.

As a rule, only tuberous begonia is grown in the open ground in the garden; other varieties (deciduous and bush) are grown at home or indoors.

Planting begonia seeds for seedlings

If you can’t find a suitable variety, or you think the tubers are too expensive, then buy begonia seeds and plant those.

When to plant seedlings

Most often, most gardeners call February the most optimal time for sowing begonia seeds for seedlings. But there are a number of flower growers who begin sowing in the second half of January. However, in both the first and second cases, the seedlings will have to be actively illuminated to a more effective 12-14 hour daylight hours.

Container and soil

Many novice gardeners would like to grow begonia from seeds in peat tablets. This is both simpler and more reliable.

The soil for planting begonias needs to be light and nutritious; it should contain the following components: high peat, deciduous soil and humus.

Another proven recipe for preparing a soil mixture for begonias is the following: 1 part high-moor peat, 1 part turf soil and 1 part leafy soil and a handful.

Sowing

Step-by-step instruction sowing begonia seeds for seedlings:

If you want to take advantage of more in a simple way growing begonias from seeds in peat tablets, then watch the next video.

Video: winter sowing of tuberous begonia in peat tablets

Care after planting seedlings

The appearance of the first shoots usually takes 2 weeks. At this time, it is necessary to check the soil moisture and remove condensation from the shelter.

As soon as the shoots appear, the shelter can be removed.

Now you should begin to carefully water the young begonia seedlings, if possible, without getting it on the plants themselves.

Note! Begonia grows very slowly.

Picking

Begonia seedlings are picked approximately 2 months after sowing, when the plant produces 2-3 true leaves.

According to some gardeners, seedlings of this flower require as many as 3 picks. The first time, when the plant has 2 leaves, at a distance of 2 by 2 cm, the second time - 5 by 5 cm, the third - 7 by 7 cm. But this is not at all necessary; in the phase of 2 true leaves, it is enough to plant the plants in separate containers.

Picking a begonia is no different from picking any other plant. Simply use a spoon or any other device (for example, tweezers) to take out the seedling along with a lump of earth and bury it in a previously prepared hole in the planting container.

Begonia tolerates picking perfectly and almost painlessly. The main thing is to do everything carefully, without sudden movements and do not damage the roots.

Video: begonia picking

Further care for begonia consists of regular watering as the soil dries and fertilizing.

Since this is a heat-loving plant, the temperature should be no lower than 18 degrees.

The plant is very demanding of soil and needs additional nutrition, especially if you planted it in insufficiently nutritious soil. It is advisable to use liquid vermicompost, for example, Gumistar, as a top dressing.

7 days after picking, it is advisable to feed the begonia with nitrogen fertilizer or some weak organic fertilizer for increasing green mass.

Note! The root system of the plant is superficial, so it is impossible to let the soil dry out completely, otherwise the plant will die.

When the begonia grows enough, you can continue to grow it at home or transplant it to the garden bed.

Planting begonia seedlings in open ground

The moment of planting begonia seedlings in open ground occurs when the threat of return frosts has passed, that is, somewhere in mid-to-late May.

The flower will grow well only on light and fertile soils. This is explained by the fact that the roots of the plant are quite superficial, located in the upper layers of the soil, so the flower requires loose and nutritious soil.

Begonia everblooming loves sunny places, so it is advisable to plant it in beds where there is sun all day. Although, according to some gardeners, it can grow well in light partial shade.

The distance between plantings, in other words, the planting pattern of begonias varies depending on the variety: low-growing plants are planted at a distance of 15-20 centimeters from each other, and tall ones - 30-40 cm.

The process of planting begonia seedlings is quite simple: you need to lower the plant into a small hole prepared in advance along with a lump of earth and sprinkle it with earth on top. And also press down a little so that the plant does not move during watering.

The next mandatory step is mulching. This is explained by the fact that the plant is very fragile, and its root system needs additional protection so that the roots are not washed away during watering. Mulch also provides additional oxygen and protection from drying out.

Now all that remains is to water the plantings with a garden watering can.

Video: growing evergreen begonia from seeds and care

Growing begonias through tubers

Tubers should be purchased in late February - early March. The optimal time for planting begonias with tubers is March.

Advice! If you want nothing to happen to the tubers during transportation, be sure to wrap the package in newspaper and additionally put it in a plastic bag so that they do not freeze.

If you have saved begonia tubers in winter, then in March you should remove them from their storage location and start preparing them for planting.

Treatment of tubers before planting

Firstly, if possible, it is necessary to remove dry roots from the convex part so that the tuber is clean and better treated with preparations (you can do this with your hands or with scissors).

After cleaning, you should begin processing the begonia tubers, or rather, dressing them.

You can treat the tubers in one of the fungicides, for example, Augustine Dressing planting material"(consumption - 2 ml of product per 1 liter of water). You need to keep the tubers for 20-40 minutes in a warm solution.

Additionally, you can soak the tubers in a growth stimulator, for example, in Epin (consumption of 1-2 drops of the product per 1 glass of water).

Container and soil mixture

The container for growing begonia from tubers should not be high, because... All the roots of the plant are on the surface and do not go deep into the ground. If you take a deep container, moisture will stagnate below and the soil may turn sour. In other words, the container should be wider than it is tall.

Important! Begonias require drainage. To do this, you can use expanded clay, crushed stone or brick fragments.

The soil must be loose and High Quality. The main thing is that there is a lot of air in the soil, in other words, it must be very breathable.

You can buy ready-made special soil for begonias at a garden store or prepare it yourself using the recipe given below. In general, it is completely identical to the soil for planting seeds, which, in fact, is not surprising.

Recipe for soil mixture for planting begonia tubers:

• 2 parts leaf soil;
• 1 part humus;
• 1 part sand;
• 1 part high-moor peat.

As in the case of preparing the land for planting seeds, the soil mixture must be thoroughly sifted and disinfected by steaming in a double boiler, frying in the oven or microwave.

Landing

Step-by-step method for planting begonia tubers:

Video: how to plant tuberous begonia

Plant care after planting

Begonias usually begin to germinate within a couple of weeks.

Begonia responds very well to fertilization long acting so that, unlike one-time fertilizing, they are gradually and evenly distributed, and the plant receives nutrients with every watering. For example, AVA fertilizer in tablets is perfect for this. The ampoules just need to be buried in the soil without spilling anything.

Planting seedlings in the garden

As in the case of seedlings that were grown from seeds, begonia from tubers should be planted in open ground as soon as the threat of return spring frosts has passed, in other words, starting from mid-May, after hardening off beforehand.

The place for begonia is chosen to be sunny and fertile. The soil should be loose and breathable.

The depth of the planting hole should correspond to the size of the root system of the seedling.

Scheme for planting begonias in open ground: low-growing plants are planted at a distance of 15-20 centimeters from each other, and tall ones - 30-40 cm.

After planting, the plant should be well mulched and watered.

Advice! It will be very beautiful if you decorate your country veranda with hanging flowerpots with begonias.

Further care in the garden for begonias grown from tubers is completely the same as care for those grown from seeds.

The only difference is that such plants bloom a couple of weeks earlier.

Caring for begonia in open ground

What must be included in the subsequent care of begonias is loosening and weeding (there should be no weeds!), watering as needed (the soil should not dry out) and fertilizing depending on the condition of the plant (stunted plant is a consequence of a lack of nutrients).

If the weather is not sunny, then watering should be done no more than once a week.

On hot days - every evening at the root, avoiding leaves and flowers.

Feeding For young begonia seedlings, you can do the following: fertilize 2 times a month with sodium humate, 2 times with any potassium-phosphorus fertilizer. An already adult flower is usually fertilized with complex mineral fertilizer once a month. The plant responds well to liquid fertilizer with manure diluted in water in a ratio of 1 to 10. With the onset of autumn, feeding is stopped.

As a rule, begonia blooms within about a month and a half after the seedlings are planted in the beds, that is, this usually occurs at the end of June - beginning of August. Peak flowering is mid-August.

If you grow tall begonia, then during its flowering period it will not be amiss tie it to a support so that the plant’s stem does not break off under the yoke of a huge number of flowers.

As the flowers fade It is better to remove flowers so that the plant does not set seeds.

If you notice that subsequent flowers become smaller and even turn pale, you should definitely feed complex mineral fertilizer. And if organic matter has not previously been added to the soil, then you can use a small amount of compost by carefully placing a handful of fertilizer under each bush, thereby mulching the plant.

When the top part of the plant is completely dry, you should dig up his tubers, clean them from the soil and disinfect them by treating them with one of the fungicides (potassium permanganate is an option). Then dry and place in a bag with sphagnum moss or in a container with sand. After this, put the young begonia tubers for winter storage in the basement, where the temperature is kept around 5 degrees.

If you want to grow begonia as a perennial, then with the onset of cold weather, you can dig up and replant the plant in a flowerpot, balcony box or any other flower pot and grow it throughout the rest of autumn, winter and spring at home. And next spring, when the threat of frost has passed, you can plant the already blooming begonia in a permanent place in the garden bed, thereby organizing a flowering flowerbed at your dacha already in mid-May.

Video: transplanting evergreen begonia for the winter

Thus, you can grow a relatively capricious, but incredibly beautiful begonia only by making efforts to care for these beautiful flowers. If you do everything correctly and do not make mistakes typical of novice gardeners, then it will definitely delight you with its magnificent flowering and aroma.

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