Begonia

Author: Zhang Lisheng
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-01-01
Features:
(2) Phosphorus is an important element in protoplasm and cell nuclei, and it is also a component of many enzymes. It promotes cell division and has a significant promoting effect on root development. Phosphorus is beneficial to seed development, promotes early flowering and fruiting, enhances branch development, regulates the drawbacks caused by excessive nitrogen fertilizer, and strengthens resistance to adverse environments and plant diseases and pests. When phosphorus fertilizer is lacking, it not only affects flowering, causing smaller flowers with fewer petals and abnormal colors, but also results in shorter branches, smaller leaves, weakened germination, and affects seed maturity.
(3) Potassium makes plants grow strong; promotes the formation of chlorophyll and photosynthesis; promotes the absorption of nitrogen and phosphorus by plants, which is beneficial to protein formation, making stems and leaves lush, branches and stems woody and strong, and less prone to toppling; promotes root expansion, which is beneficial to the development of the underground rootstock of bulbous begonias, making flowers more vibrant; it can enhance the cold resistance, drought resistance, and disease and pest resistance of begonia plants. However, excessive potassium can make plants short, shorten internodes, turn leaves yellow and then brown, and cause wrinkling; it can also cause plants to wither within a short period of time.
(4) Sulfur is an essential component of proteins and enzymes, and sulfur-containing organic compounds also participate in redox processes in plants. Sulfur deficiency reduces chlorophyll content, causing leaves to turn pale green, and in severe cases, they become yellowish-white. Sulfur in vitamin B6 promotes the growth of plant roots.
(5) Calcium has a certain effect on the metabolism of carbohydrates and nitrogen-containing substances in plants, can eliminate the toxic effects of some ions (ammonium, sodium) on plants, and mainly exists in the form of calcium pectinate in the middle layer of cell walls, enhancing plants' resistance to pests and diseases. It can also promote the growth of young roots and the formation of root hairs, thereby enhancing plants' absorption capacity. If calcium is lacking, cell walls cannot form, and cell division will be affected, hindering the formation of new cells. This leads to poor root development, dwarf plants, and in severe cases, curling of young leaves, sticky tips, yellowing of leaf edges, and gradual wilting. The tips of root cells rot and die.
(6) Magnesium is an essential element for all green plants. It is a component of chlorophyll and phytates, promotes the activation of phosphatase and glucose conversion enzymes, and is beneficial to the conversion of monosaccharides, playing an important role in carbohydrate metabolism. Magnesium deficiency first manifests as chlorosis of leaves, with various colored spots appearing between the veins. Excessive application of magnesium will lead to an imbalance in the ratio of magnesium and other elements, and not only that, excessive magnesium itself is harmful to plants, such as weakening root development.
(7) Iron is a necessary condition for the formation of chlorophyll and participates in the formation of chloroplast proteins. Iron deficiency causes severe chlorosis, and the chlorotic areas are between the veins, while the veins remain green, forming a network-like pattern. The difference between white and green is obvious. Iron deficiency can cause fruits to fall prematurely or the fruit skin to discolor.
Micronutrients
(1) Boron promotes the normal transport of carbohydrates and the normal development of reproductive organs. It can also enhance photosynthesis and improve the supply and distribution of organic substances in plants. Boron deficiency affects flower bud differentiation and causes flower and fruit drop, as well as stem splitting.
(2) Manganese is an activator of enzymes and plays an important role in plant respiration, protein synthesis and hydrolysis, and the reduction of nitrate nitrogen. Manganese deficiency hinders chlorophyll formation, causing chlorotic spots on leaves that gradually merge into stripes, but the veins remain green.
(3) Zinc is a component of carbonic anhydrase in plants and promotes the decomposition of carbonic acid. It is related to photosynthesis, respiration, and the synthesis and transport of carbohydrates. Zinc deficiency, in addition to chlorosis of leaves, often causes small leaves and clustered growth at the tips of branches, known as "micronutrient deficiency disease." In severe cases, it can cause branch death.
(4) Molybdenum is a component of nitrate reductase in plants and participates in the reduction of nitrate nitrogen. The common symptoms of molybdenum deficiency in plants are dwarf plants, inhibited growth, chlorosis and wilting of leaves, and even necrosis.
(5) Copper is the core element of various oxidase activators in plants and plays an important role in redox reactions. It participates in plant respiration and can also affect plants' utilization of iron. Copper can also enhance the stability of chlorophyll, preventing it from being damaged prematurely and allowing leaves to carry out photosynthesis more effectively. Copper deficiency reduces chlorophyll and causes chlorosis of leaves, with the tips of young leaves turning yellow due to chlorosis, and eventually leaves dry and fall.
(6) Cobalt is a catalyst for microbial nitrogen fixation and also affects nitrogen metabolism in plants. Cobalt deficiency hinders plant growth and development, causing chlorosis of leaves, curling of leaf edges, upward curling and wilting of leaves, and even death.
(7) Chlorine is required for the photolysis of water during photosynthesis. Chloride ions have opposite effects on bulbous begonias. For example, applying large amounts of chloride-containing fertilizers can affect the formation of bulbs and tubers. If plants lack elements, the reasons may include:
(1) The soil lacks a certain element, and plants cannot obtain the necessary nutrient supply.
(2) The soil is too acidic or alkaline, causing certain elements to become ineffective and unable to be absorbed.
(3) Unsuitable temperature conditions affect plants' absorption of certain elements.
(4) An imbalance of nutrients in the soil affects the absorption of certain elements in quantity.
When an element deficiency is detected, it is necessary to carefully identify the cause and take appropriate measures to improve it.
Types of Fertilizers
Organic Fertilizers
Organic fertilizers, also known as farmyard manure, refer to various fertilizers made by farmers using local materials and self-storing. Large amounts of organic fertilizer can improve soil, making potting soil loose, preventing compaction, and balancing the ratio of air and water in the soil, thereby promoting root growth and the absorption of water and nutrients. However, the nutrient content is low and the effect is slow, so they are often used in combination with chemical fertilizers.
Inorganic Fertilizers
Inorganic fertilizers, also known as chemical fertilizers, are abbreviated as chemical fertilizers. Most of them are produced through chemical industry, so they can also be called commercial fertilizers. The characteristics of chemical fertilizers are: high nutrient content, fast effect, small volume, convenient application, and no organic matter, with single nutrient composition. When applying chemical fertilizers, it is important to use them in combination with organic fertilizers and multiple chemical elements to achieve good results. Currently, there are various flower fertilizers suitable for different plants and different periods in the flower market, with appropriate ratios of various nutrient elements, and can be purchased according to needs. The application method should be referred to the instructions.
In summary: organic and inorganic fertilizers each have their own advantages, and their roles in providing nutrients and improving soil are different. Therefore, in cultivation, it is not advisable to overemphasize the importance of one type of fertilizer while neglecting the effectiveness of other types. Organic fertilizers should be used as the main fertilizer, with appropriate use of chemical fertilizers, to achieve good results.
Fertilizing Basis
Based on the different effects of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium on plant growth, it is necessary to be clear when applying them to achieve the desired results.
During the growth period, for begonias sown from seed, nitrogen fertilizer is the main one. Generally, from spring to early summer, apply a thin liquid nitrogen fertilizer every 10 days, with a concentration of 10–15, to make the branches and leaves lush and promote continuous flowering. For flowering begonias, add a thin liquid phosphorus fertilizer every half month. During the summer, fertilizers are generally not applied, except for foliage begonias. Summer fertilization should be well-rotted and thin, preferably applied in the evening and watered in the morning. After autumn, as begonias enter another growth peak, prune dead branches and leaves, strengthen fertilization and water management, and apply a 15-concentration soybean cake liquid fertilizer once a week. This will make the leaves green and flowers abundant again. For bulbous begonias, apply a thin liquid fertilizer every 15 days from May to September, with a concentration of 10. For flowering begonias, different types have different flowering periods. Once flower buds differentiate, focus on phosphorus and potassium fertilizers, with a small amount of nitrogen added appropriately.