Begonia Mason
Begonia Mason is the most beautiful representative of decorative deciduous species of begonias
... A compact, fast-forming bush, reaching a height of 20 - 25 cm, will perfectly fit into any interior, and the unusual color of variegated leaves will undoubtedly catch the eye, making this flower the center of your green collection.
The key to success in growing this type of begonia is the correct organization of watering during the period of active growth and the creation of all the necessary conditions for the dormant period, which most often falls on November-February.
The decorative value of this begonia mainly lies in the unusual color of the leaves - a black cross-like pattern on a bright green leaf plate with dense pubescence. In more mature plants, the leaves may acquire a slightly silvery hue.
Basic rules for caring for Mason's Begonia
Manson's begonia (Begonia Masoniana) refers to unpretentious plants, does not require special conditions. Prefers loose, well-aerated soils with excellent permeability, during planting, it is necessary to create good drainage (put on the bottom of the pot) in order to avoid stagnant water, which can cause root rot, especially when the temperature of the environment drops sharply.
Watering should be moderate; it is best to use water at room temperature for this. Before the next watering, the topsoil should dry out by 2 cm.
Spraying on the green mass is undesirable - the leaf plates are quite fragile, prone to decay, therefore, if there is insufficient air humidity in the room, you can use air humidifiers, or install containers with water near the pot with this flower.
As for the light regime, diffused light will be the best option for such a begonia, harsh active sunlight can contribute to a change in the color of the leaf plate, which will ultimately lead to a loss of the decorative value of the plant, as well as insufficient lighting.
Top dressing is carried out only during the period of active growth, that is, from the beginning of March to the end of October, with complex mineral nutrients, twice a month.
If in the fall you began to notice that the adult leaves on your Mason begonia began to gradually die off, this is a sure sign by the beginning of the dormant period. It is necessary to gradually reduce the frequency and volume of watering, and then reduce it altogether, while trying to increase the humidity of the air. The temperature of the medium, ideally, at such a time should be 15 - 16 ° C. 7 - 8 weeks after the cessation of watering, the plant wakes up, new shoots begin to develop. At this time, you need to start watering, increase the temperature of the content and, of course, maintain the light regime at the required level.
Reproduction of Begonia masoniana
There are several ways to breed this begonia:
- Department of children;
- Tuber division;
- Leafy cuttings.
When dividing by children, the top of the rhizome (7 - 8 cm long) is cut off, trimmed with "Kornevin" and planted in a pot under a film. After the sprouts appear, the film is removed.
When dividing a tuber, it is cut into several parts, each of which must have a bud.
Propagation by leaf cuttings - the leaf plate with the handle is separated from the bush, and placed in a glass of water, when roots appear, it is transplanted into a pot.