Slate leaf, Begonia listada: Care from A-Z

Begonias are very popular because they have a long flowering period. Begonia listada is a begonia species with few flowers and decoratively striped leaves. The care of the slate is not complex, as explained in the following article.

sowing

The sowing of this begonia species is not very easy. Because the seeds are very sensitive and if you sow them in pots in March, there is usually only a 50 percent chance that seedlings will form and the plants will grow healthily. In addition, direct sowing of the frost-sensitive slate leaf is only recommended after the ice saints in May - too late for good growth of the begonia.

Tip: It is easier than sowing Begonia listada to buy the first plant commercially and propagate it later with other methods.

soil condition

The soil conditions for Begonia listada must meet certain criteria for the plant to feel comfortable. So a humus and nutrient-rich and well-drained substrate is ideal:

• Mix garden soil with compost before planting
• possibly mix in sand or gravel for better permeability
• purchased bucket soil already has the required quality
• Always keep the soil slightly moist
• pay attention to a slightly acidic pH between 5.5 and 6.5

A notice: Due to the almost neon green central stripe on the leaves, this slate leaf is also called striped begonia or neon begonia.

fertilizing & watering

With it Begonia listada receives the desired nutrients, it needs regular fertilization during the growing season. Every two weeks you should administer a suitable liquid fertilizer with the irrigation water. From October, the fertilization is then stopped over the winter. There are a number of things to keep in mind when watering:

• use rainwater if possible
• Plants only tolerate lime to a limited extent
• Allow tap water to stand or filter
• pour evenly
• Never let the soil dry out completely
• Avoid waterlogging
• Ideally, do not place pots on saucers
• otherwise pour off half an hour after watering

Tip: So that there is no waterlogging in the bucket, you should create a drainage of gravel or potsherds over the drainage hole and cover with plant fleece before you fill in the soil.

Diseases

Despite good care, begonias are unfortunately susceptible to the fungal disease powdery mildew. A white coating appears on shoots, flowers and leaves. In such a case, quick action is essential:

• Powdery mildew mostly in winter when the air is dry
• set up air humidifiers as a preventive measure
• Don't put plants too close together
• ensure good air circulation (both in the bed and in the bucket)
• remove all diseased parts from the plant
• use clean and disinfected tools
• clean after each cut
• Otherwise mildew will spread further

A notice: If the plant was attacked by rot fungi due to too much moisture in the soil in connection with a very hot location, the slate leaf can no longer be saved. Dispose of the plant completely in the residual waste so that the fungi cannot spread in the garden.

Plant

It is ideal Begonia listada Plant out in the garden bed after the last frost in mid/end of May. Container plants can also be planted earlier and then remain protected:

• choose a suitable substrate
• Prepare garden soil accordingly
• Planting hole slightly larger than the root ball or tuber
• Insert slate
• fill in the rest of the soil
• Water well and keep soil moist

A notice: When planting in beds or large containers, make sure there is enough space between the begonias. This allows the slate to dry more quickly after a downpour or after being sprayed with water.

pests

Unfortunately, the slate is not available either aphids and spider mites secure:

• Shower off infested plants before fighting
• Use lacewing larvae against pests
• available in well-stocked specialist shops

Cut

As a rule, begonias are not cut. Only when yellow leaves are on Begonia listada show, you should remove them quickly:

• Cut yellow leaves with clean and sharp scissors
• Pinch off the young shoots immediately after they have sprouted
• with scissors or by hand
• promotes bushy growth

Location

Regardless of whether you Begonia listada cultivate as a houseplant, in a pot or in the garden bed, it needs a bright location, but without being exposed to the blazing sun:

• on a window sill on an east or west window
• on an east or west facing balcony
• some morning or evening sun is tolerated
• in the flat protect against drafts
• not in the garden on south side cultivate
• next to trees or hedges that provide light shade
• in winter, the location of potted plants in the apartment does not have to be changed
• constant temperature of approx. 20° Celsius is ideal

A notice: If the begonia is in a cooler room such as a stairwell, care must be taken in winter to ensure that the temperatures do not fall below 15° Celsius. If necessary, the location must be changed.

hibernate

Begonias cultivated in tubs can easily move into the apartment in winter. To do this, they are placed in a bright place not in the immediate vicinity of the heater. Also a bright staircase or a conservatory are for the hibernation suitable. Also in winter make sure that the Begonia listada gets enough water. The slate leaf cannot be overwintered in the garden bed:

• Dig up plants carefully
• plant in buckets
• do not fertilize
• Adjust pouring amount to location
• in a cooler place less water supply
• Spray from above, especially in heated rooms
• use low-lime water

Tip: If the air in the room is too dry, this not only harms many plants, but also us humans. It is therefore helpful to always check the humidity in the room and to improve it with suitable measures such as setting up water bowls.

repot

Potted begonias should be repotted every two years at the latest. Not only because the plants might grow and the pot could become too small, but also because the substrate in a pot loses too many nutrients over time. Proceed as follows:

• Carefully remove the plant from the container
• Remove old soil from roots
• prepare a new vessel with drainage and fresh substrate
• insert plant
• water well
• put in suitable locations
• Do not let the soil dry out afterwards

multiply

Propagation is easy and is done by cuttings. You can use shoot, head and leaf cuttings for this. Here, too, late winter before budding is the ideal time. How to propagate the slate:

• cut desired cuttings from the plants
• simply use the individual sheets
• always choose a solid, undamaged blade
• Sever the main leaf vein in two or three places
• Lay it upside down on the peat-sand mixture and weigh it down
• cover with cling film
• Keep substrate only slightly moist
• repot carefully after rooting
• plant in the garden bed in May

Tip: To prevent mold from forming under the film, you must regularly lift and ventilate it. If after a few days the first young roots appear at the cut points, you can remove the foil completely.

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