Our spotted begonia they are very beautiful plants, but very treacherous. You take care of them as well as you know how, and one day, without further ado, they start to get ugly until they finally wither. However, since they are very cheap, year after year we try again and again to outlive us.
So that this is the last time you have to buy it, I’m going to give you a few tips about your care.
Our protagonist is characterized, not only by having a very beautiful flowering, but also by its leaves, which are very decorative. It is native to the tropical jungles of South America, and of course, being tropical, it does not resist the cold. In fact, a temperature below 10ºC can be fatal. So that. How can we make it survive the winter? This way:
Place it in the best place
This plant needs a lot of light to grow, but not direct sun. Likewise, it is also important avoid putting it near the windowsince its leaves could be damaged by the »magnifying glass effect» (it occurs when the sun’s rays enter through the glass and impact directly on the leaf, causing damage).
Also keep it away from draftsboth cold and warm, otherwise the tips could start to dry out.
Water it, but little
One of the main causes of plant death is overwatering. To spotted begonia you have to water it 2 times a week in summer, and 1 every seven days the rest of the year. If you have a plate under it, remove the water after 30 minutes of watering.
Fertilize it so that it grows healthy and strong
From spring to late summer, it is highly recommended fertilize it with a mineral fertilizer for flowering plants. If you can’t find it, you can use guano, or a universal plant compost. Follow the instructions that are specified on the package, and you will see how well your plant grows.
Change it pot in spring
Once a year, in spring, it is advisable to change the pot. As it is a slow growing plant, you can use one that is about 3cm wider than the previous one. Use a porous substratesuch as black peat mixed with perlite in equal parts, this will greatly avoid waterlogging, which could seriously affect you.
I hope these tips have served you and you can, thus, be able to enjoy your spotted begonia for years .
