Begonia imperialis

Family. Begoniaceae.

Homeland of the plant. Southeast Asia and India.

Description. Imperialis begonia or rex begonia grown for its showy, colourful foliage in a wide range of shades, shapes and textures. The leaves are large and veined or spotted in silver, pink, purple, green or burgundy. Tiny, inconspicuous flowers appear on tall stems; it is advisable to remove them so that the plant does not waste energy on flowering at the expense of the leaves. The bushes have a thick, fleshy root located just below the soil surface. The leaf blade size is variable, but is usually 22 cm long and 12.5 cm wide, while the plant itself reaches a height of only 30 - 40 cm. Some species go dormant in winter.

Height. Reaches a height of 30 cm.

Caring at home

Reproduction 

Leaves and cuttings are rooted in a mixture of damp peat and perlite, possibly with the use of growth hormones. Keep the seedlings in a warm, bright place with a temperature of 24 - 27 ° C. Leaf cuttings usually root in 3 - 4 weeks, and can form roots even in a simple glass of water. After planting, the cuttings should be covered with transparent plastic or glass to maintain uniform air humidity.
Seeds are sown in the spring. The seeds are very small and need light to germinate, so do not cover them with soil; at a temperature of 25 ° C, germination will take 15 - 20 days. The vast majority of begonias today are hybrids, so plants grown from seeds may not inherit all the beauty of the mother plant.
By dividing the rhizome during transplantation. When grown in a tight pot, imperial begonias often form daughter rosettes - they are planted in separate cups.

When does bloom? 

Household imperialis begonia blooms in summer. The flowering is inconspicuous and so that the plant does not waste energy on it, the flower stalks are often cut off. 

Transplant 

In the spring, when the rhizome outgrows the pot. Since the root system is shallow, use a shallow pot. You can divide the rhizome during transplantation. After removing the plant from the pot, inspect the root system - rotten roots should be cut off with a sharp, sterile instrument and sprinkled with crushed charcoal at the cut points. Do not take containers that are too large for planting - excess soil will accumulate moisture and the roots of the plants will rot. 

How to care for imperialis begonia

To ensure even light, rotate the pot about ¼ turn each week. Leaves may drop in low light conditions. Remove dead shoots regularly. In winter, these begonias sometimes shed their leaves and go into a dormant state. If this happens, trim off the wilted leaves, stop watering, and wrap the potted plant in a plastic bag. Keep cool - at approximately 16°C until new growth appears within 6 - 10 weeks. This type of begonia should be accustomed to any changes in content gradually. 

Soil 

Porous, slightly acidified soil based on peat, leaf humus, perlite and sphagnum moss, with the addition of a small amount of crushed charcoal. Grows well in ready-made Saintpaulia mixtures. 

Diseases and pests 

Begonia imperialis is quite difficult to grow due to its need for high humidity. Moisture on leaves and stems causes fungal diseases (such as powdery mildew) and rot. Dry, brittle leaves are a result of too dry air. When grown in the shade, the begonia's stems will stretch, and over time it may die.  Direct spraying of leaves may cause powdery mildew. Stagnation of water in the soil leads to root rot.

Pests may include spider mites and whiteflies, as well as scale insects, false scale insects, thrips, and nematodes.

How to water 

Loves a moist substrate, but does not tolerate stagnation of water at the roots. The top layer of soil, about 2.5 cm, should dry out between waterings. Always use water at room temperature when watering. When watering, try not to get drops on the leaves of the plant - bottom watering is advisable. Excess moisture from the pan that appears after watering should be drained immediately. In the winter months, the frequency of watering is reduced. 

Containment temperature

The optimal temperature is within 18 - 24 ° C. It does not tolerate frost, but also does not like intense heat above 26 ° C - the plant may die within 24 hours. 

Lighting

They can tolerate slightly less bright light than most begonias and grow well under fluorescent lamps. They do best in bright, indirect sunlight. Lighting in winter enhances the shade of the leaves. Direct sunlight can cause burns.

Fertilizer

Liquid fertilizer diluted to ¼ the recommended dose every week or diluted to half the dose every two weeks. Do not feed while dormant.

Spraying 

Quite tall, for ferns, does not like spraying - it can cause powdery mildew. Provide additional humidity by placing plants in trays filled with moistened pebbles or using a humidifier. Begonias do not tolerate cold drafts and do not like hypothermia of the roots. 

Purpose

A spectacular decorative foliage indoor plant.

Note

Begonia is able to purify indoor air from harmful impurities. With age, plants can expose the lower part of the stems - they are rejuvenated by pruning and the resulting cuttings are used for propagation.

Hydroponics

When grown in a hydroponic solution, begonias often outstrip their soil -grown counterparts in growth and leaf size.