The genus begonia has about 1400 different plant species, native to the humid subtropical and tropical zones of South America, Asia, Indo-China, Africa, and the islands of the Malay archipelago .
Most species are common in humid tropical humid forests, in the mountains at an altitude of 3000-4000 m above sea level, a more limited number of species grow in relatively dry places in the tropics and subtropics.
Begonias have been known to the world for a long time. The first publications belong to Charles Plumier in the work "Description of the plants of America with their drawings" from 1687. Begonia is named after the Frenchman Michel Begon, who, as an intendant of the fleet, organized an expedition to the Antilles in order to study the local flora.
Begonias are decorative and deciduous in that they have bright greens, beautiful shape and pattern. Their flowers are not as spectacular as, for example, in tuberous begonias, but in some species and hybrids the flowering is very abundant and long. In the world of biologists, there is no single classification of the genus begonia, more precisely, there are several classifications and everyone uses the one that is more convenient and understandable to him .
Perhaps the simplest one that divides decorative-deciduous begonias conditionally into three groups:
- A group of bush-shaped reed begonia or Kane begonia Cane Begonias - with large erect reed-like stems and an underground rhizome that does not come to the surface of the earth, the bush branches weakly, rather loose, often the stems require a garter. These are begonia bright red Begonia coccinea, spotted Begonia maculata, coral Begonia x corallina, silver-speckled Begonia x argenteo-guttata, white-dotted Begonia x albapicta, etc.
- Shrub begonia group or Shrab begonia Shrab Begonias are also plants with erect stems, and an underground rhizome, but unlike the previous group, shrubs branch very willingly, bushes are thick, well leafy, leaves sit more compactly and usually on shorter petioles than Kane begonia. An illustrative example is the begonia many-leaved Begonia foliosa, its bush is very similar to that of rosaceae.
- A group of ornamental-deciduous rhizome (rhizome) begonias, Rhizomatous Begonias, which have beautiful and colorful leaves, and the stem is an aerial rhizome, usually lying on the surface of the earth, sometimes erect: Begonia rex (and its hybrids), begonia Fista Begonia x festii, begonia Bauer Bauer egonia bowerae et al
I will make a reservation right away that this classification, like many others, is conditional, there are species and hybrids that can be equally attributed to both Kane begonias and scabs, just like some begonias can be attributed to flowering and bush.
Species rhizome begonia
Begonia imperialis is a rhizome begonia native to Mexico. The stem part of the rhizome is recumbent, so the bushes are low, on average 35-40 cm tall. The leaves are rounded, heart-shaped at the base, with a pointed beveled apex, about 10 cm in diameter. The surface of the leaf is velvety, silver in color, with green stripes, the underside of the leaf is red.
This begonia is more photophilous and thermophilic than other deciduous species, responding well to the morning or evening sun with the formation of a lush bush. Note that ideally the crown is so thick that you can't even see the petioles. Very demanding on high humidity, it is best grown on a wide pallet with wet pebbles or sphagnum moss. The temperature should not fall below 15-16 ° C.
Watering water is used only soft. Spraying is undesirable.
Begonia solimutata Begonia solimutata - native to the north of Brazil, is quite rare in culture. It has large rounded or broadly oval leaves, about 15-17 cm long, oval in shape with a heart-shaped base and pointed apex, asymmetric. The surface of the leaf is wrinkled (warty), covered with dense short pubescence, velvety, green, light green along the veins. The lower surface of the leaf is slightly pubescent and reddish. The flowers are white on tall erect peduncles, in loose panicles. The size of the bush is about 45-60 cm.
The color of the leaves varies greatly from varying degrees of illumination. In bright light, the dark green leaves become marsh-colored, almost brown, and the stripes along the veins are pale green. It grows rapidly, growing into wide spreading bushes. Does not tolerate water getting on the leaves and excessive watering.
Begonia bauer Begonia bowerae is a species native to Mexico, a low bush with a creeping aboveground rhizome. With asymmetrical heart-shaped leaves about 8-10 cm long and 4-6 cm wide, rounded at the base, pointed at the end. The upperside of the leaf is green, with dark, almost black spots along the veins and along the edge of the leaf. The underside of the leaf is light green, reddish along the veins. The flowers are white, with pink spots.
This is the original species, later several varieties were bred, differ, first of all, in miniature sizes - about 25 cm in height, otherwise the color, shape and hair of the leaves are quite diverse. Some have rounded or oval leaves ('Tiger Kitten'), others are star-shaped, maple-shaped ('Black Velvet', 'Cleopatra'); there are varieties with a smooth surface of leaves and rare villi evenly throughout the surface of the leaf, in others the hairs are collected in cilia - bunches along the edges of the leaves.
The requirements for culture, as for all other begonias, are sufficient humidity, watering after drying out the upper layer of the earth, lighting - scattered light .
Begonia Masoniana is a native of Southeast Asia (India, China). Rhizome begonia forms low, up to 45 cm tall, spreading bushes. The leaves are quite large - about 15 cm in diameter, rounded, with a wrinkled surface and short pubescence, velvety. The color of the leaves is original: the main background is light green, from the center of the leaf along the large veins dark green, almost black stripes, in shape resembling a Maltese cross.
English begonia collector L. Maurice Mason L. Maurice Mason this begonia from Singapore to England in 1952 and gave it the name 'Iron Cross' 'Iron cross', later it was given the species name masoniana, but lovers still have the popular name 'Iron Cross Begonia'.
In general, begonia is no different in content from other begonias, except that it is more sensitive to waterlogging of the earth, quite thermophilic (winter minimum 16 ° C), prefers high humidity all year round, but does not tolerate water getting on the leaves.
Begonia eridicaulis Begonia aridicaulis - a miniature leaf begonia, a rather young species - was described in 1952, discovered in Mexico, on coffee plantations, grows along streams. The species is popular with begonium collectors, and obviously popularity will gain momentum.
The height of the bushes is about 10-15 cm. The leaves are about 5-7 cm long, oblong, pointed at the end, rounded at the base, symmetrical, with a finely serrated edge. The surface of the leaf is smooth, shiny, dark green, with bright light green veins. The rhizome is predominantly underground. The aerial part is short with small internodes, so the plant has the shape of a compact bush.
An interesting name for the species, in Latin there is the word "ridica" which means "stamina, support for the garter," the prefix "a-," borrowed from Greek means denial, there is an opportunity to come up with your own interpretation...
It is grown in terrariums or round aquariums, due to the exactingness of high humidity. Begonia is shade-tolerant and heat-loving.
Burkill's begonia begonia burkillii is another miniature and rather rare leaf rhizome begonia native to India, published in 1920. Bushes measuring about 20-25 cm. The leaves are oblong, about 5 cm long, asymmetrical at the base, narrowed at the end, mint-green in color with almost chocolate spots between the veins and along the edge of the leaf, creating an almost marble pattern. The flowers are pale pink and large.
This type of begonia is very demanding - it loves fresh air, and constantly high humidity (grown in terrariums). In nature, it grows in a wide range of temperatures, up to zero (at a room temperature of at least 10 ° C). Sensitive to soil waterlogging, the substrate should be very well drained.
This begonia is quite rare, and there is very little information on it. I suppose that the species is named after Isaac Henry Burkill Isaac Henry Burkill of the British botanist, director of the Botanical Gardens of Singapore and Pinang, author of the names of a number of botanical taxa.
Begonia Sizemore Begonia sizemoreae - native to North Vietnam, has somewhat unusual leaves. On young leaves it is imperceptible, and on large old leaves it is well defined: long (more than 1 cm) grow on the upper surface of the leaf, but rare white hairs are bearded leaves. The leaves are rounded, slightly asymmetrical. The upper surface of the leaf is wrinkled, dark green with a silver-green stripe and dark deep venation, the reverse side of the leaves is crimson, the veins are green. Petioles are covered with very dense long hairs. It blooms with small pretty pink flowers collected in loose panicles. The plants are medium-sized, averaging about 40 cm (maximum 60 cm) in height.
Quite hardy begonia, grows in a wide temperature range (at least + 7, stoically tolerate heat). He does not like waterlogging of the soil, drying of the land is required. Loves moist air, responds well to direct sun in the morning or evening.
Begonia cuffed Begonia manicata - originally from Mexico, is rare in culture, since it has almost no decorative value - the leaves are huge, like burdocks, in the original species they are whole, with an even edge, up to 30 cm in diameter, rounded, asymmetric. Petioles and the back of the leaves are covered with short pale green hairs, with "inserts" of reddish longer hairs, a distinctive feature of the species is a fringe of long thick red villi on the back of the leaf at the very base, similar to a cuff. In the variety Begonia manicata 'Crispa', the edges of the leaves are terry curly.
This type of begonia was used to create more beautiful hybrids. So when crossing Begonia manicata with Begonia hydrocotylifolia, red-leaved Begonia x erythrophylla was obtained.
In general, hybrids from cuff begonia are one of the most unpretentious - very shade-tolerant, tenacious, not demanding on temperatures, more tolerant of dry room air.
Begonia heracleifolia is a native of Mexico. It forms a rather long aboveground rhizome, initially lying down, hanging over time, from which the plant takes a semi-ampel form. The leaves of the original species are large - about 25 cm in diameter, symmetrical, maple-shaped or star-shaped with an uneven serrated edge, evenly green. Petioles are very long, about 40 cm long, light green or reddish, covered with thick green hairs. The flowers are pink, in loose panicles on very long erect peduncles, they sometimes reach about 1 m in height.
The species is very variable in the depth of leaf dissection, color. In some varieties, as in the photo of Begonia heracleifolia 'Nigricans', the leaves are deeply palmately dissected and the color is silver green .
This is one of the most hardy types of deciduous begonia - undemanding to temperatures and high air humidity, to the soil structure, very easily rooted, shade-tolerant. But it must be protected from direct dry air from heating batteries in winter.
Begonia annulata (a synonym of Begonia griffithii) is a natural species found in 1987 in the foothills of the Himalayas.
Almost never found in culture. I cite here for the purpose of familiarization - this begonia was actively used in hybridization in the creation of various varieties of begonia Rex, so to speak the progenitor. The pattern of her leaves is just traced in many varieties of begonia Rex.
Hybrid rhizome begonias
Begonia of the Rex group Begonia x rex (rex-cultorum) - This is a type of rhizome begonia that is grown for the sake of colorful leaves. Their flowering is very modest, the leaves are incomparable, but there are difficulties in care, which are often insurmountable for an ordinary flower grower.
Most plants are low, reaching a maximum of 1-1.5 m, with a lying, creeping, eventually hanging stem, which is a rhizome. Traces of old, already dead leaves are clearly visible on it. Leaves on long petioles. The shape of the leaf can be: simple rounded, oblong, oblique, snail-shaped, cirrus (slightly dissected or deeply dissected, star-shaped). The edges of the leaves are whole quite rarely, more often serrated or deeply dissected. Leaves, petioles and rhizome ("stem") are covered with dense hairs of various colors (whitish, yellowish, reddish, etc.). On the surface of the leaf, the hairs are very short, dense, which makes the leaves appear velvety. Hairs are rarer and longer on stems and petioles.
The variety of color of the leaves is striking: a different combination of colors, patterns, marbling of the pattern, in some royal begonias the leaves have a metallic silver sheen. The dimensions of the bush and leaves can be from miniatures, when the leaf is about 5 cm in diameter, to large, with leaves about 20 cm in diameter .
Hybrids or cultivars obtained by crossing Begonia hydrocotylifolia and Begonia manicata:
Begonia redleaf Begonia x erythrophylla, its synonyms Begonia x langeana, Begonia x bunchii and Begonia fista Begonia x feastii.
These are all heterotypic synonyms (heterotypic - consisting of different types) of the same species.
These begonias are moderately heat-loving, very shade-tolerant, less demanding on air humidity compared to other species, but spraying is required in winter. Moderate watering with drying of the earth.
If you are a beginner flower grower, then hybrid begonia fista (or red-leaved) is the plant just for you. If you do well with it: the bush is lush, dense, there are no spots on the leaves, the petioles do not stretch too much, and the leaves do not turn pale, then you have good conditions for begonias, and you can start growing more complex species or hybrids.
Begonia ornamental-deciduous shrubs
Cane begonia Cane Begonias is a group of bush hybrid begonia, mainly with erect stems and an underground rhizome (rhizome). Includes several species begonia:
- Begonia bright red Begonia coccinea,
- Begonia rooting Begonia radicans,
- Begonia maculata.
And some hybrids, like
- Begonia white-spotted Begonia x albopicta,
- Begonia x corallina,
- Begonia silvery-speckled Begonia x argentea-guttata.
Most are characterized by an "angel wing" leaf shape. These are oblong or oblong-ovate leaves, pointed at the apex, rounded at the base and asymmetric in shape. In some species, this form is pronounced, in others it is almost invisible. The edge of the leaf can be serrated, almost even, sometimes slightly wavy.
Shrubby begonias - Shrub-like Begonias
Begonia felted begonia venosa is a species native to Brazil, with an erect stem. The leaves are rounded, slightly asymmetrical (so-called ear-shaped), about 13-15 cm long, slightly narrowed at the apex. Young leaves - with a wavy edge, when unfolded folded in a fan. The surface of the leaf is dense, leathery, covered with small white hairs. The leaves sit on short petioles, close to the stem, which is covered with large dry scales of stipules. Peduncle pink, also pubescent. The flowers are creamy white, very fragrant.
This begonia is quite resistant to dry indoor air and is thermophilic. It requires a place with very good illumination, a little direct sun in the morning or evening and a strict drying of the substrate for the next watering.
Begonia incarnata (aka Begonia metallica - this is not an official name, just a synonym) is a large plant from Mexico with pubescent, strongly branching stems. The leaves are ovoid asymmetric with a serrated margin, about 15-17 cm long. The surface of the leaf is pubescent, wrinkled, olive-green in the original species. The reverse side of the leaf is purple. At the base of the petiole are short reddish stipules ovate-pointed. The flowers are fluffy and bright pink. The size of the plant is about 1-1.5 m.
Previously singled out as a separate species, Begonia metal is just a variety of this species Begonia incarnata 'Metallica' - it has a pronounced purple tint along the veins, giving an optical depth effect or as botanists described it: "shine of polished metal." This variety has been used to create at least a dozen new hybrid varieties.
Like all begonias, this species loves high humidity, but like all other bush begonias, it grows as a large plant. I.e. she is unlikely to get space on the windowsill. Do not place the pot on the floor or on a stand near the battery. If it is impossible to put the plant near the pot, put it further from the batteries, but organize illumination with fluorescent lamps - despite the fact that begonia is flesh-colored rather shade-tolerant, it will be dark in the corner of the room.
Begonia striped Begonia listada - originally from Rio Grande do Sul of South America (southern state of Brazil) - a large plant with well-branching stems, first grows vertically, then the stem can collapse, taking a semi-ampel shape. The leaves are elliptical, asymmetric in shape, about 10 cm long, about 4 cm wide. The surface of the leaf is dark green with a bright yellow-green stripe along the central vein, covered with thick short hairs, from which the leaves look velvety. The reverse side of the leaf is reddish.
Interestingly, when this begonia was discovered in 1961, and provided to ABS - American Begonia Society, American Society of Begonia Lovers, it has long been considered a hybrid. Only 20 years later, in 1981, the name Begonia listada was legalized as the official name of the species.
But of course, begonia with such beautiful leaves took an active part in the breeding of new interspecific hybrids.
It grows quickly, requires periodic pinching and tying to the support, if not grown in a hanging basket.
Begonia many-leaved Begonia foliosa is a native of Ecuador and Venezuela, a well-branching shrub about 80 cm high (up to 90 cm), drooping shoots, can be grown as a half-ampel plant in a hanging planter.
There is some confusion of this species with the begonia fuchsioides. They are actually two different species, but one variation of the begonia multifoliata, namely Begonia foliosa var. miniata is no longer multi-leafed, but is a fuchsiform begonia (the latest update according to the Royal Botanical Garden in Kew (London) 23.03.2012).
Begonia has small, about 1.5-2 cm oblong-ovate leaves, slightly narrowed at the end, sitting on very short petioles, about 2 mm long, with a serrated edge. The leaves themselves are green, the stems reddish, woody in the lower part of the bush. Reddish and petiole, and a network of veins on the back of the leaves. Flowers one by one - two at the tops of shoots, petals pale pink, filmy bracts short, no more than 5 mm, pale green, pedicels green.
Begonia fuchsioides is the home of its Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela. This is a well-branching shrub with an average height of about 60 cm (up to 1.2 m), shoots drooping.
In begonia, the fuchsiform leaves are also small about 1.5-2 cm oblong-ovate, slightly narrowed at the end, sitting on very short petioles, about 2 mm long, with a serrated edge. The leaves themselves are green, on the reverse side also green, but lighter. The stems and petioles are reddish. Flowers in racemose inflorescences of 7-11 pieces. At the same time, they are very similar to fuchsia flowers: pedicels, calyx and corolla are bright pink or salmon. Sometimes the pedicel and calyx of the flower are intensely pink, and the petals are pale pink. This species can also be attributed to decorative-flowering begonias.
Both species: fuchsia begonia and multi-leaf begonia are so similar in shape to the bush and leaves that they are guaranteed to be distinguished only when flowering.