Begonia is a plant suitable for growing both at home and outdoors. The culture responds positively to good lighting, especially at the time of active growth and flowering, but prefers diffused light. Hypothermia and drafts worsen the condition of the flower. The best place for begonias is window sills located on the western or eastern part of the room.
Beginner gardeners often ask if you need to pinch begonia. Pinching - pruning branches of shoots and buds located in the upper part or directly at the end of the stem of the plant. For begonia, this procedure is mandatory, as timely pruning of the plant.
Begonia flowers
What is pinching for?
Formation is a necessary and very important point in caring for the plant. Regular pruning is carried out not only for beauty, but also for rejuvenation, healing. When the flower reaches 8-10 cm in height, the first sanitary pruning is carried out. Pinching the upper parts helps the branches to branch, thanks to this, a lush bush is formed. If the moment was missed, the following activities will help:
- Pinching the top of the plant by 4-5 cm.
- The shortening of the side shoots, their length should be approximately half the size of the main stem.
Proper flower formation
Florists most often use two methods of forming a bush: pruning and pinching. If you pinch off the top of the plant, shorten the shoots and stems, you can not only create a lush crown, but also achieve abundant flowering.
Before pruning begonia, you need to familiarize yourself with the basic rules:
- You can not prune young flowers. They still do not have old shoots to be removed.
- Pruning is carried out mainly for bush varieties. Otherwise, they continue to tend to shrink leaves and the rapid growth of green mass.
Flowering begonia
To give a beautiful shape, it is necessary to pinch the apical stems in a timely manner. The choice of method, how to form begonia, depends on the plant variety.
Remember! Pinching the apical kidney stimulates the instant activation of the "sleeping" side.
When you need to pinch begonia
The pinching procedure can be carried out twice a year:
- in the spring, always before the start of budding;
- in the summer, immediately after the fall of all colors.
Also pruning and pinching are carried out as the branches are stretched. What to do if begonia stretched out? Urgently cut it. Formation is carried out regularly and gradually. The first time such procedures are done immediately after the acquisition of the flower, having previously determined the shape of the flower.
Remember! It is impossible to carry out transplantation and pruning at the same time. The plant may not withstand double stress.
If the plant does not have constant care, then it grows and turns into a shapeless "something." In addition to a nondescript appearance, there is a depletion of the stem and shoots. Leaf plates are reduced, flowers do not form or become very small.
Groomed plant
In late autumn, before winter pruning, it is necessary to significantly reduce the frequency and intensity of watering the flower. When the first signs of drying out of the leaves appear, the whole aerial part is cut off. Above ground level, leave no more than 2 cm of the stem. A place for wintering is selected as carefully as possible: the temperature in the room should not be above +15 degrees; A complete lack of sunlight is appreciated.
Important! The tubers of an adult plant can be stored in winter, not only in the flower pot in which it grew. More often flower growers use boxes of dry sand and peat for these purposes.
You can use the basement, a darkened loggia or hide the flower in the pantry. Begonia should be observed even during dormancy: the soil should not be allowed to dry out. Florists are advised to trim in October. For normal relaxation, an adult plant needs at least six months. Awakening of a flower usually occurs at the very end of February or at the beginning of March.
Remember! The growth of a young flower in winter almost stops. The ability to preserve stems and leaves is inherent only to some types of begonias.
Do all begonia varieties need to be trimmed
The following varieties are not pruned:
- Royal Rex and all its hybrid subspecies;
- Everlasting.
Pinching of tuberous begonia is a mandatory procedure. For the normal development of the plant, it is carried out before winter. Thanks to this, the tuber is resting and is in rest mode. It is from it that new young shoots will grow in the future. The remaining varieties are cut exclusively at will.
Royal begonia not pinch
Thick-stemmed varieties are pruned only in extreme cases. Most often, pinching is performed to give the flower a beautiful shape.
Additional Information. Ampelic varieties are categorically not recommended to be cut, but pinching the tops will help form a flower crown.
Pinching tools
Experienced flower growers are advised to trim and pinch exclusively with sharp tools. For these purposes, you can use a knife, scissors or garden secateurs. It is strongly not recommended to use ordinary stationery scissors for trimming and pinching. Using the wrong tools can cause plant disease.
On a note! Pinching with your hands can damage the stem.
How to do pinching: ways
Pinching is done to give a certain shape to the crown of the plant. It can be a ball, a pyramid or a bush.
In order to give bushiness, you need to perform the following actions:
- For the first time, pinch off the apex at a height of 5 cm. Performing this procedure stimulates and accelerates the growth of side shoots.
- When the lateral stems reach 12 cm, the procedure is repeated.
- When the necessary result is obtained, it is necessary to cut internal branches and side shoots from time to time. This will help keep the begonia form for a long period.
Trimming technology
To understand how to prune begonia properly, you need to understand in which cases it is necessary:
- Pruning of flower stalks is carried out in decorative varieties of plants.
- When dry and damaged branches and leaves appear, urgent removal is necessary. This procedure is carried out to avoid the appearance of diseases and pests.
- Pruning a flower before winter is a necessary condition for any plant that is at a dormant stage in cold weather.
Advice! If begonia has stopped growing for unknown reasons, you need to cut the kidney on the upper stem to resume the growth process.
How to care for a flower after the procedure
Pinching begonias can be capital, sanitary or apical. Timely implementation of the procedure will allow for a long time to preserve the decorative appearance of the plant and increase its life.
Having figured out whether it is necessary to pinch begonia, it is important to understand that this does not end the care of the plant. After the procedure, it is necessary to reduce watering and reduce its frequency. Restoring irrigation intensity is possible only after the appearance of new shoots.
Nail care
Top dressing after cutting begonias is not required. Slices are processed with charcoal, this contributes to the speedy healing of cuts. Fertilizers are introduced for the first time when new shoots appear.
On a note! Even one begonia tuber has several growth buds. Accordingly, even with a single landing, a powerful and beautiful bush is formed.
Any kind of begonia can become an accent in the interior. Bright large flowers of ampel varieties look like a bright waterfall. Tuberous species due to their bushy shape will give a feeling of comfort and warmth.
Begonia in the interior
Among the beginners of flower growers, there is an opinion that begonia is an extremely capricious plant. To create a beautiful flower will undoubtedly require a lot of effort, but the result is worth it.
