Tuberous Begonia: Characteristics, Uses, Crops and Diseases

tuberous begonia flower

Begonias are plants widely used in the decoration of gardens and interiors. One of the most popular is Tuberous begonia. Tuberous Begonias are scientifically known as Begonia tuberhybrida. They are popular for their large, colorful flowers and beautiful foliage. They are very popular in the United States.

In this article we are going to tell you about the characteristics, uses and care of tuberous Begonia.

Key features

begonia yellow flower

It was born from crosses and hybridizations. British hybrid horticulturist John Seden produced the first such hybrid, revealing a new species. It sprouts in spring and blooms beautiful flowers in summer in a variety of colors, including white and red. The flowers can be large or small, and it is simple even with teeth on the edges.

Tuberous begonias are herbaceous or slightly woody old plants. They grow up to about 50 cm, with green leaves ranging from light to dark, large and round or short.

It needs a lot of light, a certain amount of humidity and a lot of protection against the cold. The root is formed by a large, rough, brown, flat nodule. Some have large single or double flowers, up to 15 cm in diameter. Different colors, simple or variegated, with jagged or curly petals.

Other tuberous begonias have smaller flowers. Between 2 and 10 cm in diameter, simple or double, abundant in bunches. None of its species can withstand winter. The tuberous Begonia has a bushy, very compact and rounded shape. Its stems are thin and weak, so it must be staked when it begins to flower. They can bloom in any season of the year if they are cared for and kept indoors.

Benefits and properties of tuberous Begonia

planted begonias

It is used as a decorative plant for flowers, but it also has active medicinal properties that can be very useful if you know how to apply it. Its flowers are protective against oral infections and treat pharyngitis and tonsillitis.

The aerial parts of the plant can be crushed for drinking.. This mixture can be used to stop fever, diarrhea and dysentery. It can remove toxins from the body and promote the improvement of blood circulation.

If you want to use crabapple petals for ulcers or burns, you can get relief. Its roots control toothache. You can also crush the entire aerial and fresh part of the plant.

Among the most interesting properties we have the following:

  • Diuretics
  • Purgative
  • antidiarrheal
  • Painkillers
  • febrifuge
  • Antiseptics

Uses

tuberous begonia

They are often used in pots and planters but, weather permitting, beds can be formed in cool areas of the garden. Other uses are:

  • The flowers can treat colds and swelling.
  • Disinfect the wound.
  • Its infusion helps eliminate toxins from the body and promotes blood circulation.
  • The root is used to relieve toothache.

You can also prepare infusions. It can heal wounds and is effective on pain. To make tuberous Begonia tea, we need:

  • 20 or 30 g of tuberous begonias
  • 1 liter of water

You have to boil a liter of water, add 20g or 30g of wild apple. Let it sit at room temperature, and once it cools down, it’s ready to use for gargling. Fight pharyngitis, mouth infections, tonsillitis and clean cuts or rotten wounds.

Tuberous begonias are less toxic. The sap of the plant and the sap contain small poisonous crystals that are shaped like needles. Chewing the tubers and roots of the begonia causes irritation, pain in the mouth and tongue. Plants can cause nausea and possibly vomiting.

Tuberous Begonia cultivation

It grows in partial shade or filtered sunlight. Excessive exposure to sunlight can cause the flowers and leaves to burn. However, too much shade can result in lush foliage and few flowers.

They do not need to be grown in a greenhouse. Although they would do better if they were protected from strong winds and heavy rain. When the vegetation has been destroyed, it is best to remove the tubers, place them in wooden boxes with straw and wait out the long winter. Then, with the onset of spring, the flowers can be planted again.

Watering should be done at least once a day, do not overwater, puddles will rot them. They are not frost resistant.

The soil can be a mixture of equal parts peat, siliceous sand, dry manure, and well-rotted garbage. Apply mineral fertilizer every 3 weeks in spring and summer. Its main enemy is excess moisture that causes powdery mildew and root rot.

The best way to propagate them is to divide the sprouting tubers in late winter. During the winter, it is convenient to collect the tubers and store them in a dark and dry place.

To multiply this plant you have to take into account:

  • Divide the tubers with sprouts and wait for the wound to heal before placing them on the ground.
  • Cut the shoots protected with plastic (1 month) in spring.
  • Sow during winter (December to March in the northern hemisphere). They germinate in 10-14 days at 23ºC.

Tuberous Begonia Diseases

  • The leaves have brown, round, moist spots, which then wither. The disease is caused by a bacterium called Xanthomonas.
  • It mainly affects crabapple tubers.
  • Reduce or eliminate overhead irrigation.
  • Destroy diseased plants.
  • On slightly damaged leaves, the diseased part can be trimmed off.
  • The stems rot.
  • This is a serious disease in which the stems turn black and rot. It is produced by the fungus Pythium.
  • Uproot and destroy the attacked plants.
  • Avoid wetting the leaves with watering.
  • Since the fungus remains in the soil, discard the substrate and do not replant.
  • Damage caused by this fungus is usually identified in the field by the characteristic gray hairy spores, although spores only develop in moist conditions.
  • Injured or aged tissue is particularly vulnerable, but healthy tissue can also colonize.
  • The petals may have small spots or be completely shriveled.
  • Control of this fungus is important because it can survive as a saprophyte.
  • Whether in irrigation or in the environment, excess humidity will be avoided, the plants will be spaced and ventilation will be guaranteed.
  • Uproot and burn invasive leaves or plants.
  • Disinfect the land or replace it with another pest-free land.
  • Use a fungicide.

I hope that with this information you can learn more about Begonia tuberosa and its characteristics.

Tuberous Begonia: Characteristics, Uses, Crops and Diseases

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