How to care for begonia bonsai
The editor answers for netizens on how to care for begonia bonsai and the maintenance and management of begonia bonsai in the aspect of green plants and flowers, with specific introduction as follows:
Begonia has a variety of species, with rich and variable flower colors, making it a favorite material for bonsai. It is relatively easy to obtain begonia materials from the Rosaceae family, especially for friends north of Qinhuai, where almost everyone has a pot of begonia.
In spring, as temperatures rise, begonias compete to bloom, creating a colorful scene, and attract butterflies, making it feel like being in a secret paradise, living with bees, butterflies, and begonias in the room, enjoying life.
However, begonias often suffer from poor growth, rotting bark, falling leaves, and rust diseases. So, how should begonia bonsai be cared for? What measures can be taken to solve these problems?
Poor growth in humus soil, Figure 1
1. Check if the potting soil meets the requirements of begonia habits
The characteristics of begonias are drought-resistant, cold-resistant, not积水-tolerant, not shade-tolerant, and fond of fertile water but not barren. Generally, when preparing the soil, we mostly use peat soil, decomposed leaf soil mixed with decomposed organic fertilizer, and then add river sand, ceramsite, etc.
However, begonias, as plants adapted to the temperate climate of the north, are similar to cherry, grape, poplar, mountain elm, fragrant flower acacia, bitter tree, catalpa, and other tree species, which are suitable for neutral soil in the north. If the potting soil is intentionally kept acidic, it is not suitable for begonias.
Too acidic potting soil can make begonia bark rough, causing rough bark disease, and then leading to dry rot disease; in hot and humid weather in summer, acidic humus soil can also cause rust disease, leading to leaf fall.
Insufficient ventilation and high humidity causing rust disease, Figure 2
It is recommended: When the rainy season arrives, we should check if the potting soil is too acidic and if there is积水 (Rosaceae plants are generally afraid of waterlogging).
Both situations can lead to root rot, rust disease, and spotted leaf fall. If there is积水, we can use general sandy mountain soil, vegetable garden soil, alluvial soil, fine river sand, and bone meal to replace 1/4-1/5 of the potting soil capacity, and the rest of the potting soil can be replaced again in the following spring.
As for the decomposed leaf soil and pine needle soil, they have too high water retention and should not be used temporarily.
Good lighting and ventilation, Figure 3
2.海棠 needs an appropriate care position in summer
Another characteristic of begonias is their preference for lighting and ventilation. In the midst of summer, if our begonia bonsai is still kept indoors with little light and no ventilation, its branches become thin, internodes lengthen, leaves become papery, and new shoots and buds shrink.
This type of care environment is not conducive to begonia growth and can also cause yellow leaves, especially for begonias that need to be补充枝.
It is recommended: If conditions allow, move it outdoors where there is strong sunlight and good ventilation, allowing it to experience the natural winds and heavy rain.
Begonias are drought-resistant, cold-resistant, and heat-resistant, and as long as the drainage is good, they can be placed outdoors without worry. If there are no outdoor care conditions, place it near the indoor window to receive sunlight and ventilation.
How to care for begonia bonsai
White powdery mildew on papaya begonia due to insufficient ventilation, Figure 4
3. Improper use of fertilizers and water causes leaf fall and yellowing
Generally, as long as the potting soil has good drainage, even daily watering will not cause leaf fall, but high humidity can trigger leaf spot disease, anthracnose, angular leaf spot, and brown spot disease.
Brown spot disease and leaf spot disease start from old leaves, while angular leaf spot disease starts from young leaves. When it is too dry or the fertility is too high, stipules will have irregular yellow spots, gradually turning into complete yellow leaves.
Single yellow leaves are not a concern, but in this situation, the disease decreases while pest infestation increases, and there may be root burn.
Bonsai location with good lighting and ventilation, Figure 5
It is recommended: When it is too dry or fertility is too high, water and fertilize quickly. For summer fertilization, there is no need to apply thin and frequent fertilizers like those flowering plants.
Monthly application of decomposed organic fertilizer and phosphorus-potassium fertilizer is sufficient, and there is no need to use other chemical fertilizers or foliar fertilizers. Or, you can spread decomposed cake fertilizer or cow and sheep manure on the surface of the potting soil and let it渗透 through watering.
Humus soil without积水, Figure 6
4. Use pinching and topping to strengthen the training of shaping branches
Many begonia bonsais are not yet shaped, and some need to be modified with补充枝 during the growing season. Therefore, during the peak growing season, it is necessary to take advantage of begonia's strong germination ability to strengthen pruning and shaping.
Summer pruning mainly includes the following contents: one is to cut off the root suckers and remove ineffective buds.
Two, the spring and autumn tips of begonias are particularly obvious. If the spring tips are not controlled, the autumn tips will grow longer, which is what we often call the growth branch.
These branches are in positions where we don't need them but cannot be cut as sacrifice branches. At this time, pinching must be used to control their length.
This can help strengthen the branches and auxiliary branches, and as many branch buds as possible on the branches and auxiliary branches should be preserved and allowed to grow upwards.
Three, all branches at the top position should be pinched to limit growth.
Four, if making a waterside or cliff-style bonsai, the growth requirements of large branches and large falling branches must be maintained, that is, limiting the growth of other branches' top and lateral branches, and not doing anything to the branches and falling branches.
If it is a dwarf begonia, all branch buds should be preserved. Don't want to thin the dense branches and buds, but still use the branch buds to thicken the dwarf trunk.
When to cut the dense branches? After a year of growth, the dense branches have completed their mission around the time of the beginning of winter, and they can be pruned and thinned at this time.