Why is it difficult to cultivate Rieger begonias|afraid of heat and humidity
An article about the aspects of growing Rieger begonias at home, why it is difficult to cultivate Rieger begonias|afraid of heat and humidity, read on to find out more!
Many gardening enthusiasts want to know why Rieger begonias are difficult to cultivate, simply put, it's because they are heat-intolerant and do not withstand humidity. Once the weather gets hot, they easily rot. To give gardening enthusiasts a deeper understanding of Rieger begonias, let's look at the five points of experience summarized by enthusiasts!
1. The survival temperature of Rieger begonias cannot be high, with around 20 degrees being the most suitable. I have a sister who lives in a bungalow, and it's cool all year round with plenty of sunlight from large windows. She has raised a house full of Rieger begonias, which bloom in colorful seasons. The key factor for her successful cultivation, without any diseases, is that the bungalow is warm in winter and cool in summer, with an average temperature of less than 20 degrees.
2. New soil must be used for Rieger begonia cuttings. Rieger begonias have an extremely long blooming period, usually more than six months, and absorb a lot of nutrients from the soil. Therefore, the used soil cannot be reused, considering both the lack of nutrients and disease prevention. The growing material I use for Rieger begonias is all pure pine needle soil dug from the mountains. This soil has gone through a decomposition process of at least several decades. Under the old pine trees in the deep mountains, there is completely decayed pine needle, dark and loose, with good water permeability and sufficient nutrients.
3. New branches must be used for cuttings. Rieger begonias produce a spray of flowers per leaf, and using old branches that have bloomed for cuttings can also root but grow slowly. New branches rooted grow vigorously with strong flowering power after blooming. For cuttings, usually select new buds with two or more leaves, and the branches should not be too large. Gently break them off from where they are connected to the main stem, and do not cut with scissors or blades. If the heel of the branch can be preserved, the survival rate will be higher. It is more reliable to use a small pot for cuttings rather than a large pot, as it is less prone to rot.
4. Be cautious when watering to make it penetrate. For newly inserted branches, do not water thoroughly, just moisten the area around the branches. Cut a white plastic bottle in half and cover the newly inserted branch. Afterward, water a little when the surface soil dries, keeping the roots moist. It takes about a month to root, and when new growth is seen, the bottle can be removed. Rieger begonias can be propagated all year round, with April to June being the best months. Throughout the life of Rieger begonias, watering through渗透 is done occasionally, and most of the time, water when the surface soil dries, feeling that half or two-thirds of the soil is wet. Especially during the hot summer season, high temperature and humidity can easily cause root rot and black rot.
5. Diseases of Rieger begonias. First, pest infestations. Rieger begonias are not prone to pest infestations. High temperature and poor ventilation can lead to tiny white flies, which cannot be killed by any kind of pesticide and are known as the "invincible little strong," but they can be controlled from spreading. Honestly, they are quite annoying. There is also a powdery scale insect that thrives in high temperatures. This pest is easy to kill, and any pesticide can control the situation. Second, diseases. Rieger begonias suffer from more serious diseases than pests. As long as the temperature is high, various problems are inevitable and untreatable. Black roots are not mentioned, but the leaves turn green around the edges and slowly spread to the center; the back of the leaves have white powdery spots that spread to the stems; the surface of the leaves becomes shiny, as if coated with glue. These symptoms are mostly ineffective against various pesticides and eventually lead to death.
The detailed explanation above on why Rieger begonias are difficult to cultivate|afraid of heat and humidity, I hope this article can provide you with help in green plant management!