Plant Gardens 101

Fertilizing begonias is not food for the begonia; all plants make their own food through process called photosynthesis, the begonia plant utilizes filtered light from the sun this creates sugars from carbon dioxide and water, thus the begonia is feeding its self. Think about it when was the last time you invited Begonia to dinner?

Healthy, begonias require sixteen basic nutrients these are essential for begonias ability to live. The sixteen elements are the same for all living plants. When begonia plant is deprived of any of the sixteen building blocks, the begonia will die over time; this is why you provide fertilizers and bio-stimulants you are providing essential elements so the begonia can live. Three of the sixteen components are Carbon, Hydrogen, and Oxygen these are freely obtained from water, air and those elements are usually available to begonias.

Begonia fertilizers should contain varying amounts of Macro-Nutrients, which are the numbers you see on the box or bottle and bio-stimulants containing Micro-Nutrients. What’s the difference between the two you ask? Well that’s easy to answer!

All purpose fertilizers generally contain large amounts of the Macro-Nutrients, with little bit of Micro Nutrients, while Micro Nutrients contain a large amount of bio-stimulants with a little bit of Macro-Nutrients. Further the Micro-Nutrients have necessary and beneficial fungi called Mycorhizae; this fungus works in a symbiotic relationship with the begonia root system, the fungus helps the begonia draw in moisture, nutrients through the begonias root system and in return the begonia feeds fungus carbohydrates.

The remaining thirteen required nutrients are processed through the begonias fibrous root system and divided into three separate, distinct and mandatory groups.

Marco-Nutrients Are Usually The First Group Of Elements Listed: The numbers are always represented (in this order) Nitrogen (N) is always the first number on the box or bottle; Nitrogen, promotes green leafy development; excess nitrogen in the soil can cause excessive vegetative growth of the begonia plants foliage at the expense of begonia flowers and bud development.

The Second Number Is Phosphorus (P) provides for new or young begonia root development; mater of fact phosphorus helps all young plants requirements-phosphorus encourage strong root development.

The Third Number Is Potassium (K); this is used by the begonia to support most of the enzymatic functions of the begonia plant. Potassium increases vigor and resistance to disease, stimulates production of strong stems and improves quality of the overall begonia health these 3 elements are called Macro-Nutrients.

The Second Group of Nutrients Are: calcium, magnesium, sulfur; begonia plant uses these elements in greater quantity and deficiencies are common place because the second group nutrients are not provided in large enough quantity in most fertilizers.

Third Group of Nutrients Are: boron, chlorine, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum, and zinc these nutrients are used in very small amounts there called trace elements.

Begonia growers tend to focus on the Macro-Nutrients, because of the great quantity provided in average box or bottle of fertilizer however all nutrients are equally important to begonias health and the ability to grow and bloom; some begonias have heavy fertilizing requirements while others do not.

The spectrum begonia is moderate in their demands for Macro & Micro nutrients. A balanced organic vegetable fertilizer and bio-stimulants using only half of the label recommended rate will keep Spectrum Begonia healthy, colorful and thriving.
Rongen Inc Engineering Firm Joplin Missouri Environmental Engineering and Reno Nevada Electrical and Industrial Engineers from the inception of the company the Joplin office has grown begonias in their belief, begonias are bellwether to global ecological degeneration.

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