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Garden Begonias still occupy an insignificant place in the garden plots of Russians. Most likely, this is due to the difficulties of growing. Begonia is a whimsical plant that requires special care. But the beautiful, unusually colored buds can conquer the most fastidious gardeners. Tuberous Begonia Grandiflora is not a cultivar, it is a variety of plants with large flowers. The characteristics of plants and the rules of agricultural technology will be discussed below.
A little history
The flower received its name in honor of the scientist Michel Begon, who conducted scientific research back in the 17th century. Already at this time, the plant attracted attention with its unusualness.
The British were the first to grow indoor Begonia at the end of the 19th century. Greenhouses were used to plant the heat-loving flower. Residents of England enjoyed buying beautiful plants with buds of various colors.
A native of Belgium, Louis Van Houtte decided to start growing Begonias in open ground. It is to him that gardeners owe the discovery of 200 forms and varieties of garden Begonia.Hutt created Begonia terry forms and first presented them at an exhibition in 1870 in Belgium. Currently, plants with tubers are enjoying great success.
Tuberous Begonia also came to Russia in the 19th century and received its name: “Napoleon’s ear.” This is due to the events of 1812, when the French wanted to conquer freedom-loving Rus'. According to historians, the emperor, fleeing from the battlefield, could not protect his ears from the Russian frost. His ear became like Begonia flowers.
Description
Tuberous Begonia Grandiflora are herbaceous plants. They have a well-developed root system, represented by underground rhizomes-nodules. The culture has different heights, depending on the variety - from 20 to 80 cm. It is distinguished by juicy thin and translucent stems.
The arrangement of leaves in tuberous Begonias is asymmetrical, this characteristic also applies to the heart-shaped form. Leaf blades can be whole or dissected, consisting of several lobes. The edges of the sheet may have waves or teeth.
Begonia leaves are reddish, brown or even dark purple underneath. The upper surface of the leaf blade can be green or some other color. In addition, there are leaves with geometric patterns, strokes, and inclusions. This is clearly visible in the photo.
Flowers are bisexual in all species and varieties, but the sizes and colors are different. Based on the number of petals, Begonias are divided into double, semi-double and simple. The color of the petals of tuberous Begonia can be plain or with edging around the edges. Flowering is continuous, from three weeks to five months. It depends on the type and variety.In indoor culture they enjoy the beautiful inflorescences of Begonia until the New Year.
Varieties
As already noted, Begonia Grandiflora is not the name of the variety, but a feature of the plants. This group includes tuberous Begonias with large double flowers. The inflorescences resemble camellias in appearance. The height of such plants is up to 30 centimeters. We present a description of the most common varieties.
Orange
Tuberous Begonia Grandiflora Orange is an ideal plant for pot and vase cultivation. The flower is low, from 25 to 30 centimeters. The leaves are collected in a rosette, they are dark green and shiny. The inflorescences are large, 10 to 15 cm in diameter, with dense terry. Colored in all shades of orange. Orange begonia blooms continuously and for a long time.
Rose
Tuberous Begonia Rose is a low, compact plant with large buds up to 18 cm in diameter. The flowers are densely double with white or pale pink petals. They are very similar to roses. The leaf blades are green, large, with wavy edges.
White
This variety of tuberous Begonia Grandiflora is a double variety. Three buds are formed in one inflorescence. Each of them is about 12 cm in diameter. The petals are snow-white, which is why the flowering bush looks elegant and impressive. At the tips of the delicate petals, the size of which is about 9 cm, a slight corrugation is noticeable.
Begonia White varieties can be grown as a potted crop or in flower beds.Although flowering is short-lived, only 2-3 weeks, gardeners love tuberous Begonia for its sweet, wonderful aroma that spreads far beyond the site.
Begonia bushes are low, no more than 30 cm. The leaves are light green, with a pattern. The qualities of the plant are best revealed in diffused light or partial shade.
Yellow
By planting Yellow Begonia with yellow flowers in your garden, you will be able to enjoy the sweet aroma of flowers for two to three weeks. Depending on the variety, the buds may be yellow or lemon yellow. The diameter of densely double flowers with wavy edges is from 10 to 12 centimeters. The lower inflorescences are much larger than the upper ones, but due to the abundant flowering, the difference is practically unnoticeable.
The height of Begonia bushes is 20-25 cm. The plants attract attention not only with their fragrant flowers, but also with bronze-colored leaves with an exquisite pattern. Begonia Yellow is grown to decorate flower beds and ridges. Can be grown in pots and flowerpots, on loggias and verandas.
Pink
One of the spectacular representatives of the Begonia variety, Grandiflora, stands out for its huge buds, reaching a diameter of 20 cm. The flowers are double, pale pink, and can take the form of peony, rose, camellia, or narcissus. Flowering is abundant and long lasting. A bush about 20 cm high. Begonia Pink is suitable for growing in flower beds and pots.
Planting and care
Tuberous Begonias can be propagated in different ways:
- seeds;
- cuttings;
- tubers.
We will analyze the last method of reproduction in detail.
Preparation of material
Planting tubers of the large-flowered Begonia Grandiflora in open ground is possible only in the southern regions. In the rest of Russia, flowers are grown through seedlings in separate pots or a common container at a sufficient distance.
Before planting tubers you must:
- Examine from all sides to see if it died during storage. Healthy planting material should be dense, without signs of rot or parasites. Sometimes the kidneys are already waking up.
- Remove old roots and scales.
- Disinfect. For this purpose, special preparations are used, which can be purchased at a flower shop. Dilute fungicides in warm water according to the instructions. Lower the Begonia tubers for 40 minutes just up to the shoulders.
Planting in a container
As for the soil, it is best to purchase it at the store. You need to choose the composition that is intended for growing Begonias. If this is not possible, then the soil is prepared independently. In addition to turf soil, compost, sand and wood ash are added to it.
Begonia nodules are planted without deepening them; the upper part should be located above the ground. Often, inexperienced gardeners make mistakes when planting, especially if the buds have not yet awakened. The tuber should be planted with the convex part down in moist soil, and the recess should be on top!
Pots for tuberous Begonia Grandiflora are chosen to be shallow, since the roots are located close to the surface. Drainage must be placed at the bottom to avoid stagnation of water and the development of putrefactive processes. Plants are grown in a bright place, but direct sunlight should not fall on the leaves, otherwise they will become burned.
How to plant tubers correctly:
If the tubers of Begonia Grandiflora were planted in a common container, then after 3-4 leaves appear, it needs to be plucked.
Care after planting the nodules consists of watering and shallow loosening.
Bedding
Hardening is carried out two weeks before transferring plants to open ground. The containers are taken outside into the shade, gradually increasing the residence time.
Large-flowered Begonias are planted in a place protected from the sun and winds at a distance of at least 30 cm in fertile soil. Compost and wood ash are added to each hole. Immediately after planting, mulch the surface to retain moisture.
Care in the ground
After the plants have taken root, they need to be watered regularly (do not wet the leaves!), remove weeds and feed. Sometimes plants do not develop well. This may be due to insufficient soil acidity.
Fertilizer
Feeding is carried out several times per season:
- In the spring, when tuberous Begonias need to grow green mass, they need full complex fertilizers.
- When the first buds appear and subsequently, fertilizing is carried out once every 14 days. You can use special fertilizers for Begonias or potassium and phosphorus fertilizers for flowers.
Fragile stems must be tied to a support so that they do not break and spoil the decor of the site. Wilted flowers and drying leaves are also removed.Only in this case will the large-flowered double Begonias Grandiflora look like a real bouquet.
Harvesting tubers for the winter
At the beginning of autumn, all Begonia species begin their dormant period. It is necessary to stop watering and fertilizing. But there is no need to cut off yellowing shoots until they are completely dry. This will allow the nodules to accumulate the nutrients necessary for the next growing season.
When not a single leaf remains, the stems are cut off. After 14 days, the rhizomes are dug up and dried. The soil needs to be cleaned and the nodules placed in a bag of sphagnum, since it has strong bactericidal properties. Such storage will protect the planting material of tuberous Begonias from the process of rotting. Tubers should be stored at a temperature no higher than 8 degrees and their condition should be monitored from time to time.
Instead of a conclusion
Beautiful and delicate Begonias with large double flowers are widely used in landscape design.
They can serve as a frame for flower beds and ridges, borders, alpine slides, and carpet monobeds can be created from plants.
If you want the flowers not to get lost among other garden plants, plant them under trees or shrubs. They will feel comfortable in the openwork shade of the branches.
Begonia Grandiflora looks great with double flowers on lawns with lawn grass, as well as among annuals: lobularia, lobelia, surfinia and iberis.
