Rules for growing and caring for bush begonia at home

• Deciduous begonia: types and varieties with photos and names
• Types of decorative deciduous begonias with photos and descriptions
• Decorative deciduous begonia: Mallet variety
• Decorative deciduous begonia: spotted or speckled variety (Maculata Raddi)
• Decorative deciduous begonia: coral variety (Corallina)
• Decorative deciduous begonia: Carolineifolia variety
• Decorative deciduous begonia: metal variety (Metallica)
• Decorative foliage begonia: variety credner or pig's ear (Credneri)
• Decorative deciduous begonia: variety Royal or Rex (Rex)
• Popular varieties and hybrids of royal begonia
• Decorative deciduous begonia: Mason variety or Maltese cross (Masoniana)
• Decorative foliage begonia: red-leaved variety (Erythrophylla or Feastii)
• Decorative deciduous begonia: hogweed variety (Heracleifolia)
• Decorative deciduous begonia: collar variety (Manicata)
• Decorative deciduous begonia: tiger variety
• Decorative deciduous begonia: Bower variety (Bowerae)
• Decorative deciduous begonia: bindweed variety (Convolvulacea)
• Ten best deciduous begonias: names and descriptions of species
• Types and varieties of decorative deciduous begonias for growing at home
• Video: review of varieties of decorative deciduous begonias

Deciduous begonia: types and varieties with photos and names

Decorative deciduous begonias have never been boring, but active selection and the emergence of ever new varieties have brought these plants to new heights. From indoor classics, magnificent and so special begonias have turned into modern and irreplaceable stars. Dazzling clouds of flowering varieties or the luxury of leafy patterns leave no one indifferent. And every year the range of begonias is growing, replenished with delightful fashionable new items.

Collection of deciduous begonias.

Decorative deciduous begonias usually grow in the form of a lush bush. The leaves are shaped like an asymmetrical heart. There are rounded leaves, carved leaves, and twisted leaves, with a jagged or wavy edge. The color of the leaf surface is very diverse: single-color, two-, three-, even four-color leaves combine shades of green, white, silver, burgundy and brown. There are leaves with a contrasting border and splashes of all shades. The leaf surface is decorated with pronounced veins. Such begonias can grow up to two meters in height or more, but have very small, inconspicuous flowers.

Types of begonias

These indoor plants can be either annuals or perennials. The bushes can grow to a height of more than two meters and at the same time have very small flowers. Begonia root, on the contrary, is capable of producing inflorescences measuring more than twenty centimeters. Plants with unusually colored leaves and inconspicuous flowers that appear once a year are decorative deciduous, while the rest belong to the group of beautifully flowering plants.

We will look at the varieties of begonia, their photos with names below. Here are some beneficial properties of begonia:

• Active absorption of harmful chemicals, thanks to which the air in the room is quickly purified.
• Air humidification.
• Elimination of electromagnetic radiation.
• Contains a significant amount of useful substances (organic acids and tannins), which have antiallergic and antiseptic properties, and therefore can be used in folk medicine.

Many species have gone through so many selective changes that they have lost their original appearance. But this only made them more beautiful, more adapted to apartment living conditions.

Types of decorative deciduous begonias with photos and descriptions

Begonia has quite complex classification systems that divide plant species and varieties into different groups. Some divide them by the method of use in floriculture, others by the type of root system or method of propagation. We decided to do something simpler and conditionally divide begonia varieties into decorative deciduous and decorative flowering .

Beautiful flowering begonias.

It is believed that the “evolution” of decorative flowering begonias is significantly inferior to decorative deciduous varieties. If in flowering indoor begonias they mainly change only color variations and improve endurance, then in the process of creating ever new varieties of deciduous beauties, breeders have long surpassed seemingly any expectations. Different textures, effects, colors, variations of patterns are complemented by the ability to choose the sizes and shapes of leaves. And sometimes it seems that new varieties appear every day.

On a note! Begonias can be selected not just according to your taste, but also for interior design, textiles and even accessories. And although the old varieties are still in demand, it is fashionable new items that have returned begonia to the peak of popularity.

Among decorative flowering begonias, the hybrid varieties of tuberous begonia (Begonia x tuberhybrida) can boast the greatest variability. Among them you can sometimes find the most unexpected color variations. But deciduous begonias are dominated by hybrids of Begonia rex, which in catalogs and at exhibitions often appear as varieties of unknown origin, in which purely decorative characteristics are considered the main ones.

Decorative begonia "Casey Corwin".

Decorative begonia "Casey Corwin".

Both begonias have something to look at. In this article we will introduce you to the most beautiful types of decorative deciduous begonias, leading in popularity ratings. They are valued for the unusual shape, texture and coloring of their leaves.

Begonias - flowers for apartments, gardens and offices

As an ornamental crop, begonia has been developing since 1856, when breeders began to create its hybrids. Tuberous, large-flowering varieties appeared, the most famous ones being bred in Belgium. Keeping these plants at home is not too difficult, otherwise they would not be so popular. Begonias are grown in open ground and on window sills; they are used for landscaping residential premises and offices, in compositions and separately. Flowers are planted in baskets and pots to decorate walls, furniture, and are also used as ground cover plants. Ever-flowering varieties are suitable for any flower beds, even carpet ones. Tuberous varieties are grown on balconies, verandas, and enclosed courtyards.

Begonia as a decoration for buildings

Care at home has its own nuances, for example, tuberous plants require a period of rest. All begonias love moist air, but do not tolerate damp soil. However, any novice gardener can grow this plant. After all, if something went wrong and the begonia began to dry out, you can take a cutting or a leaf and start growing the begonia again, taking into account past mistakes. The culture is able to reproduce even with a piece of leaf, which very quickly turns back into a lush and beautiful indoor plant.

Decorative deciduous begonia: Mallet variety

The Mallet type includes decorative deciduous bushes with reedy stems and leaves of unusual texture, color and shape. Almost all of them are hybrids between cane begonias and begonias of other groups.

A typical representative of Mallet is the Arthur Mallet variety. This unpretentious plant has unusually beautiful leaves with a satin pink glow.

Begonia "Arthur Mallet".

Begonia "Spotted" or "Speckled".

Ampelous begonias

Another type of luxurious indoor plants, the popularity of which has been growing in recent years. This group includes root, tuberous, and hybrids. They are united by one feature - hanging shoots strewn with flowers of different shapes and colors: white, yellow, red, orange, pink. The bright asymmetrical foliage also looks impressive. Ampelous varieties are planted in balcony boxes, flowerpots, and tall flowerpots.

Photo gallery: Ampelous begonias

Fire cascade

Begonia Venus

Begonia Margarita

Begonia Aphrodite

Begonia Bella

Decorative deciduous begonia: spotted or speckled variety (Maculata Raddi)

This is a bush type of begonia, a herbaceous subshrub with an erect stem, which under favorable conditions reaches about a meter in length and width. Therefore, it is grown most often in greenhouses and winter gardens. It has elongated, asymmetrical leaves in the shape of a heart with an oblique center. Their length is 10-15 cm, width - about 5 cm. The tip is pointed. Visually, the leaves resemble angel wings in their shape. (For this similarity, our grandmothers called this begonia that way). The leaf plates are very dense and glossy. Their rich green background is literally dotted with silvery-white spots. The back side of the leaves has reddish-brown-red shades. The petioles are short, about 2 cm. The flowers are of unusual shape, white or light pink. They are formed on a drooping peduncle hanging down in small inflorescences from April to July.

Decorative deciduous begonia: coral variety (Corallina)

Previously, it was a separate species of begonia. Now they believe that this is a synonym for the “Spotted” begonia, i.e. its subspecies. This lush bush plant (over half a meter in height and width) has elongated-ovate leaves (up to 25 cm in length and up to 7 cm in width), with a serrated edge and a sharp tip. Their color is dark green, with white and silver inclusions in the form of spots or splashes. With the arrival of summer, a reddish tint appears on the back of the leaf. Flowering usually begins in spring. The buds are formed on the basis of fused petals of all shades of red, making the inflorescences look like luxurious berry clusters hanging down. The aroma of flowers is very subtle and refined.

Begonia "Coral" has its own popular varieties: " Lucerna " and " President Carnot ".

Begonia "Lucerna". Begonia "President Carnot".

Begonia "Alfalfa" is a reed begonia. Its stems are straight, more than a meter in height. The leaves are large, oval-heart-shaped, with distinct veining and a coarsely toothed edge. The leaves are dark green with white or silver specks, stripes or spots. The reverse side of the leaves is red-brown. Flowering occurs from March to September.

This is a bush with shield-shaped leaf blades, dissected at the base, and with a slightly toothed edge. The leaves reach 30 cm in length and 15 cm in width. Their green leaf surface is decorated with whitish spots.

Decorative deciduous begonia: Carolineifolia variety

This begonia is one of the oldest domestic flowers. Her homeland is Mexico. The thickness of the creeping shoot is about 4 centimeters. Large palmately dissected leaf plates are placed on long, up to 40-45 cm, yellow-green petioles. The leaves do not exceed 35 cm in length. Their surface is covered with clearly visible veins. As the leaves age, they fall off, leaving marks in the form of scales on the stems. Pinkish or yellowish-green flowers are part of loose, brush-shaped inflorescences. Flowering begins in February.

Begonia "Carolinafolia".

Begonia Metallica.

Combination with other plants

When kept indoors, evergreen begonia is tolerant of other indoor plants.

In a flowerbed, the flower goes well with ground cover plants . Semperflorence looks good next to alyssum, verbena, and cineraria.

Growing everblooming begonia is easier than it seems. Even a novice gardener can do this plant.

Decorative deciduous begonia: metal variety (Metallica)

This is a subshrub with strong, erect, well-branched shoots. This type of begonia received its name due to the shade of the leaves: on the reverse side they are purple, but on the front side they are green with red veins and a metallic tint. The stems and leaves are entirely covered with short bristles. It blooms from spring all summer with small whitish flowers covered with pinkish hairs on the outside. Metallica does not tolerate either stagnation of moisture in the pot or drying out of the soil. It must be watered systematically, but moderately. We recommend growing it in bright, warm and cool rooms, hallways; it grows well even on the northern windows of cold greenhouses.

How to preserve and ensure wintering

In winter, from November to February, begonias are at rest: they shed their leaves and shoots die. In order for the tubers to be preserved until awakening, several methods are used:

• They are dug out of the pot, cleaned and stored in a cool, dry place. In January-February they are planted again;
• more often they resort to another method. The tuber is left in a pot, also placed in a dry, cool room. Watering is kept minimal: it is done twice during the winter.

Bulbous begonias are very attractive plants from a floriculture point of view. Their bright flowers look great on window sills and flower beds. Once introduced to a flower, plant lovers often leave them forever.

Decorative foliage begonia: variety credner or pig's ear (Credneri)

The variety was obtained by crossing Metallic begonia and Scarf begonia. The leaves are light green with a metallic sheen on top and bright pink underneath. In the light they shine through like the auricle. Bush type.

Royal Begonia or Rex.

Begonia "Crednera" or "Pig's ear".

Decorative deciduous begonia: variety Royal or Rex (Rex)

This perennial herbaceous plant came to us from the tropical forests of Eastern India. Grows only indoors. This begonia is not tall, growing up to a maximum of half a meter in length. It has a thick creeping rhizome protruding above the soil surface. The stem is lodging, creeping, and eventually drooping (rhizome). Its leaves are large, broadly oval, very decorative. Their size reaches 30 cm. They have a heart shape at the base and sharp edges. There are other names - “Napoleon’s Ear”, “Elephant Ears”.

The color of the leaves, depending on the variety, can be dark green, bronze-brown with silver spots, or cherry red with a metallic sheen. The upper surface of the leaf is velvety, slightly pimply, covered with short hairs. On the reverse side it is cut with convex red veins. As a result of crossing with other species and varieties, unusual hybrids with spirally twisted or fringed leaves appeared. The plant is unpretentious in care. It blooms with such modest, inconspicuous flowers that they are removed. The variety of leaf shapes and their bright beauty more than make up for the lack of flowering.

Care errors

Flower growers often encounter problems caused by mistakes in caring for ever-flowering begonias.

Frequency problems:

1. Dry leaves . The reason is too dry air or insufficient watering.
2. The appearance of rot on a bush can be caused by low temperatures combined with excessive moisture.
3. The leaves turned yellow and began to fly off . The reason is too low temperature and high humidity.
4. The leaves have lost their color intensity - the flower does not have enough sunlight.
5. Lack of flowering can be caused by low temperature, drafts, or excessive amounts of fertilizer. A pot that is too large or unsuitable soil can also cause harm.

Read about other annuals:

Petunia Gioconda multiflorum: flower carpet

Brachycoma – 11 varieties bloom all summer

Popular varieties and hybrids of royal begonia

Begonia "Mini Merry Christmas" . This hybrid was bred in 1978. This is the most variegated variety of royal begonia. The average height of the bush is 30 cm. The top of the leaves is velvety, and the lower part is cut with large veins. The color changes from the center of the leaf to the edges. In the middle it is brown, then turns into red-crimson and becomes greenish-white at the edge with pearlescent splashes.

Begonia "Escargot" or king snail (Escargot). Begonia "Mini Merry Christmas".

Begonia "Escargot" or royal snail (Escargot) is a low (up to 30 cm in height) and wide (up to 45 cm in width) decorative bush with large rounded leaves. It is distinguished by a two-color leaf color: the central part and edges of the leaf blades are painted brown-olive, and between them there is a wide stripe of silver color. The leaf surface is matte, it is covered with tiny burgundy hairs. At the base, the leaves are also twisted into a double spiral.

Begonia "Cartagena" (Cartagena) . It has oval leaf plates of dark green color, which are wrapped in a shell. The center of the leaf is dark brown, but becomes plum-colored as it ages. Silvery spots are scattered on the green background of the leaf plate, which are sometimes illuminated with a light pink glow.

Begonia "Cartagena".

Begonia “Chocolate Cream”.

Begonia “Chocolate Cream”. This variety of begonia is distinguished by a large leaf with a spiral-twisted base. The central part of the leaf plate is painted a rich plum color. The veins and fringed edge are a vibrant dark brown. Most of the leaf glows with a silvery-pink tint. Beautiful!

Begonia "Silver Greenheart". It has large silvery leaves with an oblique heart-shaped shape. The edges of the leaves are decorated with a wide border of emerald green, dotted with silver spots.

Begonia "Silver Greenheart".

Begonia 'Evening Glow'.

Begonia 'Evening Glow'. This hybrid has medium-sized leaf blades. Their central part has a rich crimson color, from which brownish-green veins radiate. Brownish-green veins radiate from the center along part of the crimson-colored leaf. There is a crimson border along the edge.

Begonia "Dollar Down". The compact bush has a height of 25-30 cm. Its cherry-red leaves are decorated with a dark border. The shape of the leaf plate is fan-shaped, spiral-shaped, its size increases from the middle to the edges.

Begonia "Pearle de Paris" (Pearle de Paris). Well branched bush. It is characterized by medium-sized leaves of gray-silver color with dark, clearly visible veins.

Begonia "Pearle de Paris" (Pearle de Paris). Begonia 'Regal Minuet'.

Begonia 'Regal Minuet' . An instance of this variety is a small bush with paper-thin leaves that turn bright burgundy in good light. In low light, the color changes noticeably and becomes silvery-pink. At the same time, the border and center of the leaf plate are painted brown.

Begonia "Grifon" (Grifon) . This strong and durable begonia bush reaches a height of 40 cm. Its leaves are large, lush, shaped like the open paw of a griffin, dark green in color with a silver pattern. They are located on long petioles.

Begonia "Griffin" (Grifon).

Begonia "Lilian".

Begonia "Lilian". has large leaves of emerald green color, covered with silvery peas, turning pink at the base. The border is wide, burgundy-brown. The leaves at the base are twisted into a double spiral.

Begonia "Black Mamba" (Dark Mamba) . It differs in the way the leaf blades grow - it is spiral-shaped. The color of the leaves is also impressive - the deep dark green color appears completely black, and the reverse side of the leaves is cherry brown.

Begonia "Black Mamba" (Dark Mamba). Begonia "November Frost".

Begonia "November Frost " The bush is small. The leaves are similar to maple, twisted into a spiral at the base. The main color of the leaf is silver, and the central part, numerous small veins and the border along the edge are dark brown.

Begonia "Black Fang". This is an amazingly beautiful variety of begonia. Its leaves are twisted into a double spiral. They are velvety, black-olive in color with thin lemon veins. The underside of the leaf is bright crimson. The bush is compact. Requires good lighting.

Begonia "Black Fang". Begonia "Black Prince"

Begonia "Black Prince" Dark, almost black velvety leaves with carved, coarse-toothed edges, the underside of the leaf is red-brown.

Begonia "Hallelujah" This hybrid has large, spirally twisted purple leaves with a silver coating at the petioles. The central part and edge of the leaves are cherry-colored, and between them there is a fairly wide strip of rich green color with numerous silver spots.

Begonia "Hallelujah"

Begonia "Mason".

Decorative foliage begonia: red-leaved variety (Erythrophylla or Feastii)

Begonia Redleaf. This plant has another name among gardeners - “Pista”. It has a slightly shortened stem, erect, with nodes. Long cuttings and whole or cut into several segments round leaves, the surface of which is dense, smooth, almost glossy. The front side of the leaves is green, and the back side is red, brownish or purple with well-drawn white veins. The edge of the leaf is jagged or wavy. Flowering occurs from December until spring. The color of the flowers is white, pink, yellow, red with frames of various shades.

Begonia Redleaf.

Begonia "Horseweed".

Decorative deciduous begonia: hogweed variety (Heracleifolia)

Begonia "Horseweed". This plant is native to Brazil. It got its name due to its resemblance to the leaves of the Hogweed plant, common at that time. Now this begonia is a very popular plant in home gardening. It has thick, green or cherry-brown stems with long, dense fibers. It is distinguished by its asymmetrical leaf blades - they are large (in nature up to 30 cm), palmately dissected, with sharp serrated edges and a heart-shaped base. The leaves are colored in green, cherry-red or red-brown tones, and the saturation directly depends on the level of illumination. Silver-gray veins are relatively evenly distributed over the entire surface of the leaf. The peduncles are long, the inflorescences are enlarged with small, inconspicuous light pink flowers of irregular shape.

Common diseases and pests

• Bush begonia suffers most from aphids and spider mites. The presence of a whitish coating and stickiness on its leaves indicates that it is infected with these pests. Washing with warm water and laundry soap followed by treatment with insecticides will help.
• One of the most common diseases is gray rot, which causes brown spots to appear on the leaves. The reason lies in high air humidity. To get rid of it, you need to normalize watering and maintain the optimal level of humidity. In case of severe infection, the plant must be destroyed.
• Another disease that attacks bush begonia is powdery mildew. This is indicated by the appearance of white spots on the leaves. A plant can develop powdery mildew if it is sprayed and kept in a room with high temperatures.

Decorative deciduous begonia: collar variety (Manicata)

Begonia "Collar" . This is a very unpretentious variety for home cultivation. The bush is quite large and spreading. It has large light green leaves, the diameter of which reaches 30 cm. Their upper part is glossy, and the lower part is covered with “cilia”. The edges of the leaf blades are cut and covered with small fibers. This begonia got its name because at the place where the cuttings are attached to the leaf, a kind of “cuff” is formed from red hairs.

Begonia "Collar". Begonia "Tiger".

Consequences of improper care of begonia - table

Decorative deciduous begonia: tiger variety

Begonia "Tiger" . This species is native to Mexico. It has gained popularity due to the exquisite beauty of the leaves, the compact shape of the bush and its ease of care. Small white flowers appear in winter, but gardeners usually remove them so that they do not take away the strength of the begonia and the nutrition of the leaves. (Do the same with old leaves). The tiger begonia has virtually no above-ground stem; long drooping leaves grow directly from the root system. The bush reaches only 30 cm in height. The color of the leaves is remarkable: green, with spots of light green, brown or black. The reverse side of the leaves is pubescent. This species is rarely found in nature. But flower growers are happy to grow many of its hybrids indoors. Tiger begonia is unpretentious and grows well in shade and partial shade.

Recommendations for caring for terry begonia

Caring for a terry beauty is not difficult, the main thing is to follow the basic rules of care. For a tropical flower, temperature conditions, frequency of watering, air humidity, fertilizing and lighting are important.

1. Terry begonia is a moisture-loving crop, so it is so important to monitor the timeliness and frequency of watering. In summer, the crop needs to be watered every other day, and on particularly hot days – every day. In winter, reduce the number of waterings to twice a week. Water for irrigation should be used that has been settled or filtered. You need to water the bush with water at room temperature.
2. The southern perennial loves to be in moist air. You can provide air humidity with a special humidifier, a wet towel or a saucer of water. What you should not do is spray the plant. Moisture remaining on the leaves can cause mold, rot and fungus. The flower pot should be kept away from radiators, stoves, and electrical appliances.
3. Lighting is of great importance for double flowers. It is better to place the tropical crop in such a way that the burning rays of the sun do not fall on the leaves of the bush, otherwise they can burn the foliage. There is no need to heavily shade the bush. If the begonia does not have enough lighting, it will stop blooming, lose its attractive appearance, and begin to stretch upward.
4. An important aspect for a perennial is the suitable soil, which must be loose enough to allow sufficient air and moisture to reach the tubers. Therefore, experienced plant growers recommend periodically loosening the soil. You can purchase ready-made soil suitable for begonia plants. You can prepare the soil yourself. To do this, you need to mix a certain amount of peat, coarse sand, turf, and leaf soil. We must not forget about the lower drainage layer, which may consist of pebbles, pebbles, and pieces of foam.
5. You need to take care of fertilizers for terry begonias. The tropical beauty needs to be fed in spring and summer, when the plant is actively growing. Liquid mineral or organic fertilizers are suitable for feeding. You need to feed the flower once or twice a month. In winter, the perennial does not need feeding.
6. Terry begonias need to be replanted periodically. The best time for transplantation is spring. Young bushes should be replanted every year, and adults can be replanted once every few years. Before replanting, it is important to prepare suitable soil and a spacious pot in advance.

Decorative deciduous begonia: Bower variety (Bowerae)

Begonia "Bauer" (Bowerae) . It is a hybrid of tiger begonia. This is a small indoor plant, up to 15 cm high. It has heart-shaped, velvety leaves with rounded edges, an unusual tiger color: light green, bronze-tinged spots stand out sharply against a dark, almost black background. The edges of the leaves are framed with milky white cilia, and the veins stand out very clearly. The leaves are attached to long red cuttings. Peduncles appear in spring directly from the rhizome (creeping), on which basal rosettes are formed. The flowers are collected in brushes - umbrellas. Bauer's Begonia also has its own hybrids: Black Velvet Begonia. Grows in the form of a bush. Its stem is creeping, spreading along the surface of the soil. Star shaped leaves. They are dark chocolate, almost black, with velvety edges. The petioles are covered with light hair. It blooms with inconspicuous whitish flowers, which, surprisingly, look fascinating on the black velvet of the leaves.

Begonia "Bauerae"

Begonia “Black Velvet”.

Begonia “Cleopatra” (American Maple, Boveri, Maple-leaved) . This begonia reaches a height of 50 cm. It has a thin, erect, branching stem covered with hairs. The species is valued for its unique leaves. They are large, olive-colored on top with white veins, and red-burgundy on the back. The leaf blades are finger-shaped and covered with small light hairs. During flowering, a tall peduncle appears on the bush, in the lower part of which small inflorescences of white and pale pink color with a yellow center are formed.

Begonia “Cleopatra” (American Maple, Boveri, Maple-leaved).

Begonia "Convolvulus".

Reproduction

You can propagate a flower in three possible ways:

• Using cuttings;
• By dividing the tuber;
• Seeds.

Let's talk about all the methods in more detail.

Propagation by cuttings

Propagation using cuttings is a fairly simple method that is suitable for all types of this plant. It is better to prune cuttings in early spring . Cuttings up to 10 cm long are suitable for propagation. The lower leaves must be removed and the cuttings placed in a container of water or soil.

When placing cuttings in water, it is better to put the container in a dark place to avoid water blooming or choose a dark container.

To speed up the appearance of roots, you can use Kornevin or another growth stimulator. Typically, roots appear within a week, after which the cuttings can be planted in the soil.

Rooting in the ground takes a little longer - after 4-5 weeks. To do this, ensure a favorable soil temperature of 20-22 degrees.

Growing from seeds

The seed method is the most difficult in comparison with the others, because
the seeds are quite small and sensitive to external factors. Seeds are planted in January. The seeds are simply sown on the surface of the soil and lightly pressed against it. The container is covered with film to create a greenhouse effect.

To get good results you will need to create the following conditions:

1. Provide additional lighting to future plants (+4-5 hours of daylight), which promotes subsequent flowering already in the year of sowing.
2. Maintain a temperature of 22-25 degrees.
3. Regularly ventilate the container with crops.

After 2-3 weeks, the first shoots can be observed, after which the film can be gradually removed using special phytolamps.

After the formation of 3-4 leaves, they can be planted in separate pots.

Tubers

This method only applies to tuberous begonias. Large healthy tubers with 4 to 7 buds are selected for propagation.

The procedure is quite simple:

1. Using a knife, the tuber is divided into parts so that each of them has buds.
2. Allow the cuts to dry for several hours, and then lay the tubers with their undersides on moist soil or gauze soaked in water.
3. Place the tubers in a warm, well-lit place and wait for the roots to appear.
4. Place the tubers in the prepared substrate and sprinkle a little earth around them, while the upper part of the tuber should remain on the surface (2-3 cm below the edge of the pot).
5. After the first shoots appear, the tuber is completely covered with earth.
6. Continue care as usual.

Decorative deciduous begonia: bindweed variety (Convolvulacea)

Begonia "Convolvulus" . Such begonias seem to be created for arches, all kinds of openings and stairs. Balcony grilles can also be used as a support, which in one summer season will turn into delightful flower walls, delighting the eyes of owners and passers-by on the street.

However, climbing begonias are afraid of direct sunlight, so they should be placed on the north-eastern or north-western side of the house or in the shade of other plants. The leaves form a lush bush about 20-30 cm high, although if comfortable living conditions are maintained, the plant can grow up to 50 cm. The flowers are small and inexpressive.

Planting begonias

In Europe and the USA, it is customary to buy flowering begonia and throw it away after it has finished blooming. But this option is not suitable for Russians; we like to replant, feed, change pots. Begonias are replanted in the spring, and this is the season when you need to buy them. Without transplanting into nutrient soil, purchased begonia will soon die. Indeed, in the store-bought version, peat serves as the soil, and the plant lives off of nutrient solutions. Therefore, immediately after purchase, the begonia needs to be replanted.

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In the same store, along with the flower, you need to purchase:

• drainage (expanded clay stones);
• soil (for begonias, violets or universal for flowering peat-based crops);
• perlite, or vermiculite, or sphagnum moss (for additional looseness of the soil, but not necessary);
• a pot 3–4 cm wider and deeper than the one in which the begonia is sold; Required: tray and drainage holes.

Excess water in the pot causes the roots of begonias to rot and the flower to die. Therefore, the soil needs to be loose, breathable, and water should not stagnate in it. In addition, begonias love acidic and fertile soil. It is not recommended to take soil from the house, country house or forest. Such soil is almost always infested with diseases and insects, and its acidity is unknown.

Photo gallery: What is needed to transplant begonias

Drainage is necessary for roots to breathe

Perlite serves as an additional leavening agent. Vermiculite is used instead of perlite or sphagnum to loosen the soil. Sphagnum moss, along with perlite and vermiculite, additionally loosens the soil. Ready-made soil for begonias. If you don’t have it, a soil mixture for violets will do.

Universal soil for flower crops The new pot should be of such a size that the old one can easily fit into it

Stages of begonia transplantation:

1. Take a new pot and pour a 2-3 cm layer of drainage into it.
2. If there is additional leavening agent (sphagnum, perlite, vermiculite), then add a few spoons to the pot (depending on the size of the pot and begonia).
3. Remove the begonia from the old pot and shake off some peat or soil from the roots.
4. Place the flower so that it is at the same depth and fill it with fresh soil.

Video: How to transplant begonia

After replanting a homemade begonia, not a store-bought one, that has overwintered in an apartment, radical pruning of the bush is necessary. Remove all shoots, leaving three or four. In some varieties, only one stem grows, so you don’t have to remove the excess, you just need to shorten it. Strongly elongated bare stems with leaves at the top are cut by a third. After this, the lower sleeping buds will wake up, and young shoots will also begin to grow. As a result, a lush bush will grow again.

Ten best deciduous begonias: names and descriptions of species

The Jurassic Watermelon variety of Begonia rex looks like a bizarre creation from among the ancient relics. The combination of unique shades of color and patterns, shape and pattern on the leaves make this begonia not just original, but unique. The large snail at the base of the leaves seems to flow into the “tail” - the elongated tip of the leaf, somewhat reminiscent of a reptile’s tail. The color only emphasizes this effect: the watermelon-pink spot in the center almost exactly repeats the shape of the leaf and, as it were, brings the illusion to perfection. Under the pink spot and against the bright green background of the rest of the leaf blade, silver-white drops are visible, which seem to be frozen paint or dew drops and literally glow. But this is not all the surprises of this begonia: a densely ruffled carved edge with a unique blueberry-lilac color is combined with a dark, unevenly diverging veined spot at the center of the cochlea. Begonia leaves bloom so thickly that the petioles and stems are almost impossible to see. This is a fairly large bush, even at a young age it seems massive.

Decorative begonia "Jurassic Watermelon".

Begonia decorative-lithic "Shamus".

The 'Shamus' variety is a rex variety with a classic combination of vibrant greens and purples, but still manages to look irresistibly original. It's all about the motley ripple patterns and deeply dissected leaves, the shape of which is difficult to discern behind the play of contrasting patterns. The begonia bushes themselves, although medium in size, look very impressive, almost spherical due to the tiered arrangement of the leaves. The leaf is spiral-shaped, with an arched notch at the base, bright green, the veins are light. The ripple effect on begonia leaves creates a lacy, chaotic pattern of almost black spots located parallel to the edges of the leaf and creating an ornamental effect.

The Talking Bird variety is a unique medium-sized variety of begonia that seems to shine no less than precious orchids. The leaves are elongated and medium-sized, but thanks to the strong bushiness, the plant seems very lush. The smooth edge with neat teeth emphasizes the play of colors. The leaves of this white and pink beauty seem pearlescent and literally shine. This effect is achieved thanks not only to the white-silver color of the begonia leaf blades, but also to the chaotic, cobweb-like patterns: cherry and pink veins diverge along the veins in small strokes, like lace, forming an amazing texture.

Begonia variety “Talker Bird”. Begonia variety "Casey Corwin".

Begonia 'Casey Corwin' , a magnificent variety of Begonia rex, appears regal and almost artificial. In favorable conditions, this variety has practically no green color, and the play of shape, color and details turns the leaf into a small living jewel. Oval, with a strongly elongated tip, the medium-sized leaves of this variety are distinguished by a weakly expressed snail at the base of the begonia leaf and a strongly jagged, asymmetrical edge, giving the plant a lace-like appearance. The carved edge is perfectly emphasized by the play of colors. Silvery, almost white velvet spots most often cover the entire surface, combined with a beet-raspberry heart spot in the middle of the leaf, with slightly darker thin veins and the same beet-like, uneven, but very thin border, which seems to highlight the teeth on the edge. Red pubescent cuttings of begonia only emphasize the play of silver and beetroot tones. And in terms of the density and lushness of the bushes, this variety is also inimitable.

The begonia variety "Garden Angel Blush" has deeply dissected leaves that truly resemble the wings of angels. If in the previous variety the presence of green in color directly depends on the growth conditions and, although still rare, occurs, then this begonia is visually devoid of it. This is a silver-pink miracle, airy, lacy and inimitably spectacular. The shape of the leaves is somewhat reminiscent of maples, due to the deep dissection of the leaf blade and the pointed tips of the lobes. The leaves' dark green or dark purple veins, reminiscent of vessels, emphasize their unusualness even more. Young bright pink begonia leaves fade over time and turn into living silver, and the color transformation is heterogeneous and no less beautiful than both basic color options. These plants are large, catchy, voluminous.

Begonia begonia "Garden Angel Blush". Decorative begonia "Peter Piper".

The Peter Piper variety is a variety that from afar can be mistaken for a bouquet of dry autumn leaves. The thing is that among indoor decorative deciduous begonias you can no longer find varieties with such a wealth of orange-red-brown shades. This is a compact variety with rounded, kidney-shaped leaves, with a strongly wavy surface and “soft” teeth along the edge. The reverse scarlet-purple side of the leaves is visible on the bends, further emphasizing the color of the upper side of the leaf blades. Brick orange, terracotta, different shades of brown watercolor spread across the begonia's leaf blade, highlighted only by slightly darker reddish veins. Usually, a light yellow spot is found at the very base of the leaf, near the stalk. The silvery, luminous edge makes all shades of color shine in a new way.

The “Dress Code” variety is an exclusive and still rare, but surprisingly pure begonia variety in both leaf shape and color. Few plants come so close to the monochrome color of the leaves than this beauty. Medium-sized begonia captivates not with its quantity, but with the beauty of its large, ideal oval-shaped leaves with a slightly pointed tip and an almost solid edge. The leaves are light, almost white, as if sprinkled with light powder. The strict inky black border and dark spot in the center of the begonia leaf contrast stunningly with the base color. The powdery effect is enhanced by small light peas along the border, which can only be appreciated up close. This is an unusually catchy variety that looks very modern.

Begonia decorative-lithic “Dress Code”. Begonia decorative-lithic “Black Swan”.

The variety “Black Swan” is a unique hybrid of begonias, even compared to other varieties that are almost black in color. It's all about the large leaves of an unusual shape, which bend and bend, reminiscent of the silhouettes of these graceful birds. Despite the very large leaves, this begonia's bushes are not large. They are graceful and elegantly unusual. The smooth edge of the foliage is compensated by the waviness and curvature of the leaf plate. Bright red cuttings wonderfully emphasize the beauty of the glossy inky-reddish color, and translucent silver spots, unevenly scattered between the veins, emphasize the tint of tone and make the leaves more noble. This is a light-loving variety whose leaves are not similar to any other begonia.

The White Suede variety has leaves only slightly darker (light pistachio, almost whitish), but the character of this begonia is completely different. A medium-sized begonia produces not so large leaves with an inconspicuous snail at the base. The shiny, suede-like leaves of the begonia appear delicate. And this effect is only emphasized by the white veins, which can only be seen close up, as well as the chaotic, all consisting of small dark red strokes and specks, openwork border along the edge of the sheet. In the center, dark spots of a dark marsh color also diverge unevenly along the veins.

Begonia decorative lithium “White Suede”.

Decorative begonia “Purple Snow”.

The “Purple Snow” variety is another begonia variety with very large leaves that evoke associations with either maples or chestnuts. This large plant has become famous for its very modest bush size: the plant does not produce many leaves and still remains graceful. Each leaf is round, with a beautiful serrated edge, shallow dissection into lobes and a wavy surface. The large size of the leaf is emphasized by a double snail at the base. The silvery-green color is combined with burgundy veins and the edge of the leaf, and the spots look like “sprinkles” and consist of the finest fragments. This begonia really looks like it has been sprinkled with burgundy snow and is one of the most regal varieties of decorative deciduous begonias.

Types and varieties of decorative deciduous begonias for growing at home

Begonia Curly Fireflush.

Begonia Dollar Down.

Begonia Escargot.

Begonia Garden Angel Silver.

Begonia Green Silver.

Begonia Harmony's Red Robin.

Begonia Jolly Holly. Begonia Jurassic Rex.

Begonia Montgomery. Begonia Looking Glass. Begonia Midnight Sun.

Begonia Raspberry Swirl. Begonia Silver Bells. Begonia Silver Dollar.

Begonia Silver Jewel. Begonia Silver Leaves. Begonia Silver Spirit.

Begonia Silver Spirit.

Begonia Specter Silver.

Begonia diadema.
The variety of species and varieties of begonia can amaze any gardener - both beginners and quite experienced ones. We introduced you to only one group of these amazing flowers - the decorative deciduous species of begonia. All of them are easy to care for, stunningly beautiful all year round, easy to reproduce and have a lot of useful properties. For now, choose and purchase the varieties you like, and we will write in the next article how to care for them indoors.

Features of care

There is no need to create any special conditions for begonia. But in order for it to grow actively and bloom profusely, you need to take into account a number of nuances:

1. 
   The temperature in summer should be maintained at 20−22ºС.

2. The plant loves light, but directed rays can leave burns on it.
3. Begonia loves water, but it should not be sprayed. This may cause spots on the foliage. To saturate the air with moisture, you can leave water in the pan or use moistened pebbles.
4. Flowers often get used to their place, so you shouldn’t rearrange them unless absolutely necessary.
5. Deciduous species require nitrogen supplements.
6. Plants with decorative flowers are fertilized during budding twice a month, using complex formulations.
7. Fertilizing should also be carried out for the successful formation of ovaries. Potassium-phosphorus fertilizers are suitable for this.
8. To give the plant its shape, the growing points are cut or pinched. You also need to promptly remove dried leaves.
9. In order for begonia to bloom wildly, you need to remove faded elements in time. Otherwise, it will expend energy on the formation of seeds, which will not have the best effect on flowering.