Propagation of begonia Elatior cuttings and seeds, as well as information on how to root the plant

A compact bush strewn with bright flowers of all kinds of shades is a real replacement for quickly withering bouquets.

This incredibly beautiful plant is the begonia variety Elatior.

It can bloom twice a year, creating a cozy atmosphere in the house and setting its owners in a positive way.

In this article, we will consider how this plant propagates and how difficult it is to care for it.

About the plant

The plant is a perennial shrub, a hybrid type. The maximum height reaches no more than 40cm. The stalk is strong, fleshy. Flowers are usually up to 8 cm in diameter, collected in inflorescences. They are placed on long peduncles.

The color of the petals is diverse, depending on the variety. The texture of inflorescences is terry and smooth. The kind of flowers resemble a little inflorescence of roses, peonies. The leaves have an asymmetric, heart-shaped shape.

Their color is dark green with a glossy sheen, from below they are light green. The main feature of this species is flowering in the cold season., for this quality, the plant has the second name winter.

Breeding methods

Beginning amateur gardeners are afraid to plant a winter beauty on their own, so they often get a ready-made flower in stores.

In fact, there is nothing difficult in plant propagation, not even a professional can do this. Begonia is bred in the main ways:

planting seeds;
rooting of cuttings;
a sheet or part of a sheet;
division of the mother bush.

How to root cuttings?

Even in comfortable conditions, after 4-5 years, the plant should be rejuvenated. The grafting method of all is less troublesome, quick and effective. The percentage of survival of begonia seedlings is quite large. Also, the method allows to obtain samples identical to the mother.

The vegetative method of propagation of begonias is divided into the following stages:

preparation of cuttings;
processing of planting material;
rooting
planting a young plant in the ground.

Important! It is recommended to carry out the cutting process in April and not later. Summer cuttings are stunted, too squat, they bloom quickly, preventing the plant from growing.

Training

As the cuttings, the upper sections of the stem are healthy and strong., 8-10 cm long. They must have at least 3 kidneys. Leaves must be removed, leaving no more than two, so as not to take away the force from the sprout.

The operation is carried out exclusively with a sharp knife, diagonally, so the interaction of the plant with the environment will be more effective. Sections should be treated with drugs to stimulate root formation "Kornevin", "Zircon".

Instruction manual

For germination, the stalk is placed in water, or placed in a substrate.

When root formation in water, it is recommended to choose containers made of transparent material, of small diameter. This is done so that the shoot not only grows, but also gains strength. Water should be clean without impurities and salts. An activated carbon tablet should be added to the container with the handle, as a precaution against the development of fungal infections.

For about 30 days, the sprout is placed in a bright place, with a temperature of + 22-24 ° C. Do not forget about humidity - at least 60%. Transparent material allows you to immediately see hatching roots. After a month, the root system will form.

As a substrate, it is better to choose coconut, sawdust, vermiculite. These materials have antibacterial properties. The stem is dipped in water, and then dipped in a special solution for the rapid development of the root system. A pot is selected to the size of the handle, it is buried at an angle, 2-3 cm into a moistened substrate.

Please note that the sheet does not come into contact with the ground.

Then the container is covered with a transparent material, to create a greenhouse effect. The optimum temperature is + 22-24 ° C. It is necessary to regularly moisten the substrate, preventing its drying out. And also to ventilate so that excess moisture does not accumulate. The rooting process lasts from 4 to 6 weeks.

Planting in the soil

After a month and a half, the sprout should be transplanted into fertile, loose soil (also see the nuances of transplanting a flower here).

For transplantation, specially prepared soil for begonias with a neutral pH is chosen. At the bottom of the pot, drainage is laid. To lower the plant carefully, the roots are very fragile so as not to break. Then begonia should be poured with settled warm water. At this stage, it is important:

feed a young plant with mineral fertilizers with a high nitrogen content, for active growth;
subject the seedlings to hardening;
provide 16 hour light day.

After another month, it is important to begin to stimulate the development of peduncles. The plant will receive light until 9 o’clock a day, the remaining part of the time the sprouts are covered with a black film. This mode can withstand 10-14 days, then restore the previous conditions. After 2-3 months, the young plant will begin to bloom.

Seeds

Growing Elatior begonias with seeds is extremely rare, due to its hybrid origin. Harvesting seed is difficult. The only variety propagating in this way is Charisma. Begin planting seeds in late February, the deadline is mid-March, then at the beginning of summer the first flowers will appear.

Seedling boxes are chosen as the capacity. It is better to buy the soil already ready, non-acidic. The bottom of the pot is covered with a mandatory drainage layer. A day before planting seeds, the earth needs to be watered. The temperature of the soil should be within + 26-28 ° C. Seeds are evenly planted in the ground, covered with glass or other translucent material.

Seedling boxes are placed in a room with a temperature of + 22-24 ° C and good lightening. The time of emergence of seedlings varies from 10 to 21 days. You can dive seedlings with 2-3 leaves. Also it is important to feed young shoots with mineral fertilizers and to pinch as you grow.

Important. If in the future it is planned to decorate street space with begonia, then 30 days before that, the plant is subjected to hardening.

Possible problems

A cut of the handle in the water began to rot. Perhaps the plant has contracted a fungal infection. It is necessary to remove the stalk from the water, cut off the rotten part, put in a container with fresh water, into which ½ tablets of activated carbon are added.
Elatior begonia seeds do not hatch for a long time. Perhaps the reason for this is dry soil, or low room temperature. Measures should be taken: moisten the soil, and increase indoor temperatures to + 22-24 ° C.
Seedlings stretch, becoming long and thin. Plants clearly lack sunlight. If possible, it is worth moving containers with seedlings closer to the light source.
Slow growth. Maybe a young plant does not have enough nutrients in the soil, so you should feed it with fertilizers.

Further care

Tropical beauty requires special conditions, it is often subject to stress, and the development process depends on the surrounding parameters. To get good results when growing begonias, you should pay attention to the following nuances:

The optimum temperature and humidity regime in the room should be at the level of + 22-26 ° C, humidity 70%.
Prefers begonia Elatior diffused sunlight.
Humidification is moderate, do not allow the plant to flood with water. Watering is necessary again when the topsoil dries well. In no case do not spray the plant, otherwise it can lead to the development of fungal diseases.
During flowering, it is important to feed the flower with fertilizers with a high content of potassium and phosphorus. In the phase of active growth, fertilize with nitrogen minerals, but in moderation.
In winter, the air temperature should be maintained at a level not lower than + 18 ° C, with minimal watering.
As the plant grows, pinching should be done so that the bush has a neat shape and compact size. Remove the top shoots to the tops. Removing the lower leaves promotes ventilation of the basal zone of the flower.
If necessary, pick up dried flowers, loosen the soil, spray, remove dust from the leaves, inspect the plant for pests.

Find out more about how to care for begonias Elatior so that she can please her flowering even in winter.

Propagating and growing begonia Elatior at home is not so difficult. The main thing is to first adhere to the basic rules, but with experience everything will "work like clockwork." And the most beautiful, charming flowers will bloom in your home.