Cane Begonia - 'Torch Red' (White Dot) Updated 2021

CHARACTERISTICS:

The uniqueness of this Torch Begonia is that this one have a thick emerald (dark burgundy) foliage with red lacquered underside with tiny spots on the leaves. It does have beautiful red clustered flowers but rarely blooms if the condition is not favorable.

I'm still amazed at this unique feature that appears on this foliage. The speckles are not in any uniform order rather it is very much faded but it also appears consistently on the matured leaf too - usually it should disappear on matured fully formed leaves.

NOTE TO SELF: DO NOT USE WOOD VINEGAR

This begonia had almost died off and with real care and maintaining it - I manage to revive it. One of the most dangerous culprit is over-feeding as it can have a reverse effect on the plant where this one had all the burned leaves at the edges and some of the foliage started to drop off.

I believe the culprit was wood vinegar couple with another fertilizer which I think is another plant killer. Even Though I use a minimum dosage - it truly didn't help at all. Now - I just kept it aside and observing how these begonias are doing.

Eventually over the months on a very slow progress - this one started to show some progress. 

One of the most interesting features I had noted is that when this particular begonia is cultivated in a shaded area - I noticed some spots are evident which is indeed a surprise as I know - Torch Begonia will always have this flush olive green coloration but here I had found these light speckles - sprinkled around the leaf surface.

Care & Cultivation:

MEDIUM:

Just like most Cane Begonia species - this one is grown on a medium:
50% coco chip mixed with sand & potting mix. I found this medium used for propagation by the nursery owner - I had slightly added the same medium type and re-pot it in a bigger pot.
So far - the plant doubled it's size.

FEEDING:

I started using 3-4 pieces of Osmocote as fertilizer - 2 week once.
Alternatively I spray root hormone (Seaweed solution) also used another rooting hormone (Vitamin B1) a solution for stronger root growth as these are prone for root rot.

WATERING:

Slightly spray water once a day in the morning and refrain watering rainy days.
I do water twice a day on a dry and hot days - it's depending on the weather.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF CANE BEGONIAS

Other matters are very much similar with the general information about Cane Begonias.
Do click below for more information on Cane Begonias.
Cane Begonia Care & Cultivation information.