Practical recommendations for the reproduction of begonia Elatioor seeds and cuttings at home

Begonia Elatio has an incredibly spectacular appearance, for which this plant has become one of the favorite gifts for various celebrations and anniversaries. But not everyone knows that begonia can be easily propagated at home, increasing the number of copies in the flower collection.

This article will tell you what is begonia Elatiora, how to propagate it with cuttings and seeds and what problems the owner of just multiplied begonia can face. And also how to care for the flower in the future.

Flower description

A hybrid species of the Begonev family, obtained by crossing tuberous and Socotransky begonias. The height of the bush reaches 40 cm and is characterized by fleshy stems and glossy leaves of the shape of an asymmetric heart with jagged edges of characteristic color (the top is glossy green, the bottom is matte lettuce-colored with pronounced veins).

During flowering, the plant is covered with bright inflorescences of rich juicy shades on thin peduncles growing out of the leaf bosom. The diameter of the flower is about 5 cm. The flowering period of the Elatio begonia is from the beginning of summer to the end of winter, which is why it got its second name - Winter Begonia. On other types of flowering begonias and features of their cultivation can be found in a separate article.

Reference! This hybrid was bred in 1883 by the English gardener Z. Veitch.

How to breed?

Begonia Elatio multiplies:

• division of the mother bush;
• rooting cuttings;
• sheet or part thereof;
• seeds.

How to multiply at home?

Cuttings

Propagation by cuttings is one of the most popular breeding methods, as it allows you to save all the signs of the mother plant and gives quick results. Elatior begonia cuttings take place in the spring-summer period, when the plant is in the phase of active vegetation, and the weather conditions contribute to the quick and effective rooting of the shoots.

Some flower growers believe that rooted cuttings in summer will give too low stubby bushesthat bloom too fast, not allowing the plant to fully grow.

Preparation of cuttings

1. It is necessary to choose healthy, without visible damage to the apical cuttings of a length of 8 to 10 cm, each must include a pair of leaflets and 2 to 3 axillary buds.
2. Cut them from the mother plant should be sharp disinfected knife or shears at an angle of 45 degrees.
3. It is recommended that the petiole be slightly dried in the air, and before rooting its tip should be dipped into a root formation stimulator.

Another variant is also allowed: cut cuttings for the night are left in the Heteroauxin solution.

How to root?

The best option for rooting begonia Elatioor is to place the cutting not into the soil or into water, but immediately into pure vermiculite, perlite or sphagnum. All of these substances have some antibacterial properties.

As a pot for rooting the cutting is better to use a small transparent container: So it is easier to observe the development of the roots and the condition of the soil. It is possible to use for these purposes plastic cups, but do not forget to make holes in them to drain excess water, and the bottom layer should be drainage and consist of expanded clay or brick chips, pieces of foam.

1. Cut and dried petiole is dipped into the water with a tip, and then into a root stimulator, for example, "Kornevin".
2. Next, the shoot is submerged at an angle of 2–3 cm in moist vermiculite. Rooting will be more likely to succeed if the pot is covered on top with a can or plastic bag, while not forgetting to open the bag or jar to systematically moisten the soil daily.
3. With the advent of the first roots (weeks after 2 - 2.5), the "greenhouse" can be removed.

Planting in soil

Once the roots are strong, begonia can be seated in individual pots with a diameter of 7 - 9 cm, which are filled with a substrate consisting of purchased soil, perlite and vermiculite in equal proportions.

The best method of planting for young seedlings rooting in the ground - the method of transshipment:

1. The plant comes from the tank and, without shaking off a soil coma, is placed in a new pot.
2. The top layer of soil at the stem is crushed by hands, the plant is watered and put in its place.
3. When the plant reaches a height of 12 - 15 cm, it is necessary to make a nip above the top sheet in order to form a decorative crown of the plant.

We invite you to watch a video on the breeding of begonia Elatior cuttings and leaves:

Seeds

Since begonia Elatio is a hybrid, it is extremely difficult to multiply it at home. It is not possible to collect seed by yourself. But if you managed to buy seeds in a store, you can sow them in February - March, so that by the beginning of summer the plant will release the first buds.

Suitable container - a container with holes in the bottom and a drainage layer. It is better to take the soil purchased, one day before sowing it should be poured abundantly.

1. Seeds are evenly distributed over the surface, covered with glass or foil on top, not forgetting about the daily ventilation of crops. The required temperature in the room with containers - + 22С - + 25С. The place where the box with the seedlings is located should be well lit, but without direct sunlight.
2. After the shoots appear and get stronger, the coating can be removed.
3. When seedlings form 2 - 3 leaves, it is necessary to perform a pick, spreading them 2 - 3 cm apart.
4. A month or two later, a second picking is carried out: the distance between the seedlings should be 5-6 cm.
5. And only in May with the establishment of warm weather, young shoots are planted in individual pots.

Read more about the reproduction of ever flowering begonias seeds and cuttings in this article.

Reference! Planting seedlings of a plant from common dishes into individual containers is traditionally called a dive. In this case, the final part of the taproot is necessarily removed during this process. This is done in order to stimulate the branching of the root system.

Possible problems

• Rotting cuttings. This phenomenon is possible with excessive irrigation and irrigation. Also, do not forget about the daily airing of "greenhouses", in which the rooting of the plant.
• Seeds do not sprout. This is possible if the seed was poor quality or lay for a long time. It is necessary to check the shelf life of seeds purchased in the store. Also, the cause of this phenomenon may be dry soil and low indoor temperature. The way out is to moisten the soil in the container, raise the temperature to + 22С - + 25С.
• Shoots too long and thin. They clearly lack light. Container with seedlings must be moved closer to the light source.
• Slow growth. The seedling lacks nutrients, and it should be fed.

Plant Care

The optimum temperature level for a young plant is + 22С - + 25С, the humidity level is 70%

Begonia Elatio does not tolerate water falling on leaves and flowers - It can provoke the development of fungal diseases. Therefore it is impossible to spray a plant from a spray! The moisture level can be increased by irrigating the air around the plant or by placing a container with water next to the pot.

Begonia does not tolerate drafts and stagnant moisture, so watering should be moderate as the soil dries out. This flower prefers a lot of diffused light, in any case, the leaves should not get direct sunlight that can cause them to burn. The young plant also needs fertilizing with mineral fertilizers with a high content of nitrogen for the active growth of leaves and roots, and during the flowering period it needs fertilizers rich in phosphorus and potassium.

In order to propagate the plant cuttings and seeds is nothing complicated. After completing a few simple steps, you can purchase several more copies of the Elatio begonia. Moreover, reproduction at home is profitable and material: it is much more expensive to purchase a new plant at a flower shop.

Do not forget about other equally important components - proper care for begonia, creating comfortable living conditions for it. And then the winter beauty will please with its flowering more than one year.

We invite you to watch the video about the care of begonia Elatio:

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