If you purchase this plant in a hanging basket from the nursery and will find that the vine tend to overlap one another and give that cascading look of overwhelming burst of growth.Well, it might want to enjoy that "glorious look" while it last and they suddenly tend to change from that condition drastically after few months.
And so what would you want to do to keep the plant alive? Take some cuttings and propagate them separately - sort of training the plant to get hardy in your garden climate. Leave the parent plant alone but have this one as your spare. Later you will find the "spare" tend to do much better than the parent plant.
I got this plant from a friend. It was her pruned pieces - somehow they didn't really thrive nor died. After months of trials and error I finally found a spot for them. They tend to be hardy compared to many plants which I have and so I really have not found their weakness yet. So far, they do great in hanging pots in shady areas. And perhaps they are happy together with their same kind in a collection of pots.
That probably makes the difference in having the few of the same kind together instead of all of different kinds hanged together (I have noticed some of the houses that hangs trailing plants and was wondering what would be the optimum, best presentation would be)
So far, I'm contented with these - they do not require pruning - in fact they don't have the "leggy" problems as some plants where they tend to dry up in the middle or at the root area (on hanging pots) and the whole plant dangles drying up from top to bottom. Flame violets tend to do this.
These can also be planted as ground cover, they do well nicely but you need to watch out for snails and slugs - the damage they cause is disastrous. You might just want to rip the whole half chewed, dangling vine and throw and start with a new strip.
(But hold that feeling - those "naked vine" can be propagated and new shoots do tend to spring back to life - with a little patience, of course)
Once the plant picks up the growth - you will have a lovely bouquet of watermelon skinned coloured leaves adorning your garden. So don't throw away those spend vines if you find them unbearably ugly. Do take that second chance. I did.
13 comments:
The foliage is very nice. Can you imagine how your porch would look like if you plant all the pots with Begonia? It will be very nice, I am sure.
Wonderful variegation, resembling the skin of watermelon...no wonder the common name! James, it's always an enjoyment 'scrutinizing' your hanging pots, especially those with lovely cascading branches like these...so healthy and beautiful!
Beautiful plant and looking at the foliage I do understand why watermelon is attached to its name. ~bangchik
Hi James,
As usual you have some wonderful tropical plant to make me envious. We have had a long, glorious hot humid summer, but soon all my tender plants have to be brought inside. I wish I had room for this one also.
This is a fabulous plant very well suited for the hanging basket. I just love to see the watermelon foliage cascading down the pot. It cools down and refreshes the mind on a hot sunny afternoon. Wishing you happy holidays and if you travel outstation, do have a safe and smooth journey!
Nice leaves! Love the pattern and colour :-D Hope that the plant will continue to do wonderfully well in your garden.
neat - they do look like little watermelons.
I love how the leaves are arranged.
Thank you everyone for your lovely comment on this watermelon coloured begonia. Appreciate it very much.
Thank you for the basil 'recipes' you left at Malar's blog. I will try them out.
You have nice collection plants!
Besides the watermelon begonia is there any other begonias that trail?
California USA
California USA,
There might be few species - may have to do some research
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