Tuberous begonia

If it is estimated that the plants had no hesitation in boldly stating their presence with a huge, almost artificially perfect flowers, then tuberous begonias are for you. While some may find them and not over the top, even brazen even, if you like the color, and plenty of it, with subtlety an option rather than compulsory, then look no further.

Flowering from late spring when the days exceeding 13 hours, until autumn, when the foliage dies back, these tuberous-rootedPerennials have been extensively hybridised and refined to the point where the shapes of the larger flowers are nothing short of spectacular. For those with greenhouses or a very mild climate in winter there are also species that bloom in winter, if not directly through the coldest months.

And the classification groups and

Begonias are one of the comfortable facilities, where the proper name is the common name. The genus is found in tropical and subtropical areas, particularlyin America, and about 900 species with 130-odd in cultivation, many of which developed varieties and hybrids. These forms are divided into eight main categories of garden. They are:

1. Cane-like, are narrow, upright stems with leaf nodes visible and evergreen foliage.

2. Shrub, bushy plants with branching stems.

3. Thick-stem, which is similar to sugar cane, but with much heavier strains that are sometimesStrain.

4. Semperflorens, the fibrous roots of most species are treated in the summer-flowering annual beds.

5. Rhizome, which can be evergreen or deciduous, and often cultivated for their foliage than their flowers.

6. Cultorum Rex begonias are grown fantasy Rex leaves, which are commonly used as houseplants.

7. Tuberous, tubers, roots thickened and usually die back in winter or in the case of winter-flowering species,which can be dried in a different time.

8. Trailing Scan Dent, who are connected, ever-blooming plants often with long internodes and should not be confused with the back edge of tuberous begonias.

Group Seven says it is, again, although some species have roots Tuberous begonia, tuberous begonias when it comes, is usually based on the group fantasy flower garden plants-raise as Begonia × talking tuberhybrida known. Developed mainly from South American speciesPearcei their appearance in Europe in 1867, just three years after the introduction of the most influential of the early parent species, Begonia. since raised thousands of hybrids were, and now we have tuberous begonias in a variety of sizes and types of flowers and bearing.

There are small and medium-sized and large-flowered hybrids, may be single, double or half full of rose or camellia-like flowers may be small and hill-forming, final or verticalalmost a meter tall. And while the flowers are spectacular, do not ignore the foliage. Although, unlike say the Rex begonias, tuberous begonias are never grown for their foliage alone their velvety, dark green leaves add a rich fullness that the ideal film for the flowers, that would certainly be diminished without the contrast of the leaves.

Cultivation

Thus, tuberous begonias beautiful. I need not say that the images speak for themselves, but asyou get the best of them? Well, as garden plants that are not for everyone and not for each location, although with careful selection and siting of how to grow outdoors in many parts of New Zealand will be surprised.

Begonias have a preference for cold, wet and a climate that does not suffer the cold of winter or extreme heat in summer. They need light to bloom well, but should be protected from direct sunlight, especially during the heat of the dayand they also need protection from strong winds or the flowers may brown at the edges and the soft foliage may be broken or bent. Tuberous begonias flower best with humus-rich soil, ample moisture and regular feeding.

Given these requirements, it is not surprising in that many gardeners choose to cultivate tuberous begonias, and the shade, cool greenhouse or house plants from the conservatory. However, if you have a sunny south facing location in your garden or a shady place, north,then begonias will thrive outdoors, especially in areas that often do not dry in summer.

strong sun and wind, especially in hot, dry winds are the main enemies, light soil that dries quickly is not. But, in a lightly shaded, sheltered position with plenty of land with well-rotted compost tuberous begonias flower ready by early summer, the first frost. And all you have to do is the participation of major producers of bambooCanes (specialist nurseries stock wire), remove all spent flowers, keep it moist and a little 'liquid fertilizer every week.

If you find that the super-large-flowered forms of imagination are not only robust enough to give your garden is not. Instead, try some of the hybrids of smaller flowers. Multiflora types of small, commonly referred to as Flamboyant Begonias, are very resistant. Growing up as massed bedding or in groups, usually with red flowers are seen,the often almost hide the foliage, but also come in orange and yellow flowers of a slightly weaker.

Nonstop begonias are crosses between the multi-flora and more types of flowers. How do you expect the amount of intermediate products and power. They flower continuously, even in winter if kept indoors and are available in a variety of colors. Nonstops are F1 hybrids, it must be removed does not make sense to save the seed and all seed capsules, so that the plants are in bloom. ReigerBegonias, Begonia × hiemalis from developed are similar.

And if open beds do not seem to work, consider growing your begonias in pots so you find exactly the right place for them. The upright types flower and grow, but are more fragile and require staking. The following types often Begonia boliviensis hybrids, are more flexible, consistent and stems grown in hanging baskets because they are easy to care for the plants to make a great show. Trailing begonias usually betterappreciate moss wire baskets as solid pots, their roots, the cool moist sphagnum lined.

Disbudding and deadheading

Begonias have separate male and female flowers. Usually a large female flower is subtended by two smaller male flowers. Removing the male flowers before leaving conspicuous female flowers to achieve its full mature size and also prevent the development of seed capsules that the plant could reduce the power. Old flowers must be removed once it has passedtheir best. You stop and then just to make it not only encourages new flowers, but also helps prevent fungal diseases that can develop among the decaying petals.
Pests and diseases

Begonias are neither particularly susceptible to more resistant pests. Snails and slugs enjoy the young shoots and mature leaves can chew the leaves of various caterpillars, rasps and SAP-sucking creatures such as thrips, aphids and scale insects may be present, but with a little 'attentionand routine care, pests are usually stopped before it is out of control.

More of a problem are fungal diseases, especially soft rots, mildew and botrytis. Damaged barrels quickly soft, watery and rotten, and this can lead to the final collapse of the plant. Almost inevitably the foliage will develop mildew in late autumn - to die, is only part of the process of winter-back - but mold can also occur during the growing season. Good ventilation goes a long wayManagement of serious fungal diseases helps keep the leaves and stems dry enough, even if sprayed with a fungicide is probably necessary.

Winter maintenance

Because flower production decreased from mid-autumn, back on watering and feeding, and cut so that the begonias to dry. While the leaves should be dry, brown and fall away without too many problems, so keep an eye out for fungal diseases to spread the tubers could.

Once the foliage has dried, theTubers can be lifted or removed from their pots for winter storage. This is not always necessary in mild winter areas, but where hard frosts or prolonged wet conditions is probably a good idea. The tubers can barely moist sawdust or other fairly dry, inert media, such as damp, shredded newspaper will be saved. Plant appearance (concave side up) in spring as new shoots. Cover the tubers with a few inches of soil, roots sprout from the tops of the trees.

Exceptionsprocedures are the winter flowering Begonia × hiemalis hybrids from crossing Begonia × tuberhybrida a result Begonia socotrana, a species from an island in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Yemen. The widely recognized as Reiger or "blush" begonias sold, these plants begin to flower in late summer and will continue until the spring leaves and flowers. Obviously these plants, which are completely intolerant of frost, they need a very mild, benign winter to grow outdoors. However, very adaptablefor indoor cultivation and are a good choice for winter-flowering houseplants that spend the summer outdoors in the garden.

Propagation

There are several ways to propagate tuberous begonias are the method used to vary the nature of the system.
Seed

Sow seeds of F1 hybrids Nonstops purchased products or to obtain a new generation of strong young plants.

Begonia seed is very fine, dust-like effects. It 's so nice not usually in packs of seeds, in whichwould be lost in the folds, but in the ampoules, which snapped before sowing. pelleted seeds are much easier to handle, thinking that they are not always easily accessible.

The seeds need warmth and light to germinate. It should be sown in spring pools revealed. Keep the seed just moist until they sprout. The young plants grow quickly and are soon large enough to pot. When children are sensitive to air currents and temperature changes and must be kept underCoverage until the spring completed well in early summer.

Prepare the bed with high humus compost and organic fertilizer, and because the leaves are tender, plant out when the weather is not too hot and sunny.

Division

Mature plants have large tubers that divide easily and division is a great way to quickly set up, robust plants. Divide tubers in spring when replanting rights. They cut easily with a sharp knife, but because the growing realization "eyes" may bedifficult to keep the divisions on the large side. To prevent mildew, dust the cut surfaces with powdered sulfur, and let them dry before planting.

Cuttings

Most tuberous begonias will grow from cuttings and this is a particularly good way for the construction of large stocks of small-flowered Multiflora types for massed bed. The cool spring and early summer shoots, the best cuts and strike very quickly under moderately humid. You can continue toWell cuttings in summer, but to develop the new structure may reasonably sized tubers before winter probably will not survive until next spring.

How many house plant begonias, Begonia × hiemalis is often raised from leaf cuttings. Given the removal of a mature leaf, slicing it in his veins and pinning the leaf down on moist soil. A warm and humid as a distribution enclosure is essential. It should also be in the spring, so that the young startThe plants are well established before winter.

Begonia show

Public gardens often tuberous begonias in their displays and can be one of the best ways to see a wide range of species of flowers.