Cane Begonia 'Albo-picta' (Hot Sun)

One of the things I would like to make mention is that like most Cane Begonias do change their foliage coloration and patterns when they are under stress or coping in a condition which they are not meant to be. However some Cane Begonias being resilient and hardy they turned out be able to adapt well in many conditions.

This same particular one that does well in shaded condition do retain it's spots but here - all the spots are faint and mostly gone, However they are bursting with lots of floral display and their flowers are in deep red and often form seedpods which somehow indicate that it is overstressed and may be dying.

In these conditions - a slight changes of the weather like too much rain or too much sun with no proper watering can kill this plant - and so, I wouldn't recommend to plant this begonia outdoors though they can weather the storm.

 Begonia Common Names and Images

Here is the link where I had put together a list of all the begonias that I had come across. A database of all the different types & their characteristics. Please click on the link on the title above for the post.

Begonia Immense

I must say this particular begonia has a hairy leaf stem similar like the Star Begonia. I'm rather surprised that this one is considered as a heirloom begonia where it had been handed down from generations and did not make it in the usual plant market.

I'm guessing when I see this - it reminds me that the factor where most hardy begonia's never seemed to make it in the plant market rather it had been exchanged or sold by gardeners privately via online.

I managed to get this one from a private collector who cultivate this in her kampung.

Talk about Hardy Begonias - I often look out for Kampung Begonias aka Asam Batu Kampung - it seemed they are much hardy and durable and handle well without much care.

Coming Back to this one - Begonia Immense seemed to be a little slow grower - I'm cultivating it in my hydroponic basket where it seemed to do best in that condition. The earlier foliage seemed to burned and withered but the newer ones had acclimated in my garden conditions - which reminds me that most begonias seemed to behave that way, they die back but the new foliage seemed to acclimated to the current garden environment and had stabilized in that available humidity conditions.

I have yet to come across any other specimen from most begonia collectors and suspecting that this is very much available in rural areas. Apart from that - I understand the Care & Cultivation is very much similar as most Begonias that does well in the Tropical Region.

Begonia Common Names and Images

Do click on the Link Above ☝

Here is the link where I had put together a list of all the begonias that I had come across. 

A database of all the different types & their characteristics.
Please click on the link on the title above for the post. 

Star Begonia - Begonia heracleifolia (Speckles with Black Borders)

INTRODUCTION:

This particular type of Begonia is commonly known as Star Begonia often identified as a Gryphon Begonia due to the majestic look of the foliage display. Alternatively it's also known as Pegasus Begonia, all these variants and types are basically labelled as Begonia heracleifolia.

It is easily identified with the Star Shaped big sized foliage - very much behaves like a rhizome begonia which I would consider a hardy plant especially when the plant grows well and had already established itself.

Unlike most sensitive types of begonias - this particular type seemed to very hardy and also grows in huge leaf span in the right conditions. These can grow very well in moist soil mix medium.

I understand there are so many cultivar and hybrids from this particular type which is rather confusing as some of them do revert back to their parentage features given the growing conditions. Hence the identification purpose is very much challenging rather its more identified by begonia plant enthusiast seeking different variations and pattern rather than specific name & identification.

Here, I have manage to find those which I can verify and say that these are authentic and how I managed to care for them in the hot & humid climate in these tropical zones. Of course, there are a lot to learn and understand - but as for now, I'm contented with keeping these plants alive.

CHARACTERISTICS:

The Main Characteristics here I want to emphasise is the Partial Black Borders which appears along the Foliage Lobed Pattern also slight black speckles appearance on the foliage.

This appearance have strong appearance only in shade and may change colors when strongly exposed to bright sunlight.

Just like any Begonia - their needs and care & cultivation is very much similar. 

 Begonia Common Names and Images

Do click on the Link Above ☝

Here is the link where I had put together a list of all the begonias that I had come across. 

A database of all the different types & their characteristics. 

Please click on the link on the title above for the post.

Begonia - U578

This particular type of Begonia is commonly known as Star Begonia often identified as a Gryphon Begonia due to the majestic look of the foliage display. Alternatively it's also known as Pegasus Begonia.

It is easily identified with the Star Shaped big sized foliage - very much behaves like a rhizome begonia which I would consider a hardy plant especially when the plant grows well and had already established itself.

Just like any Begonia - their needs and care & cultivation is very much similar. 

I understand there are so many cultivar and hybrids from this particular type which is rather confusing as some of them do revert back to their parentage features given the growing conditions. Hence the identification purpose is very much challenging rather its more identified by begonia plant enthusiast seeking different variations and pattern rather than specific name & identification.

Here, I have manage to find those which I can verify and say that these are authentic and how I managed to care for them in the hot & humid climate in these tropical zones. Of course, there are a lot to learn and understand - but as for now, I'm contented with keeping these plants alive.

 Begonia Common Names and Images

Here is the link where I had put together a list of all the begonias that I had come across. A database of all the different types & their characteristics. Please click on the link on the title above for the post.

Rose Begonia

I must say that I'm sadden by the fact that most of the plants that sold in local nurseries are not suitable for our lowland hot & humid climate zones. Often these plants are sold in bulk here where most unsusceptible, newbie gardeners' fall in love with the flowers and purchase them only to find that they only last for few weeks slowly succumb to root rot and the whole plant falling apart.

Although they do make a comeback time to time but I believe most gardeners are slowly learning to identify the plants that works best in their garden condition and refraining from purchasing them - Hence these plants dies in the hands of the nursery vendors and they have to bear their product cost.

Don't get me wrong - I love all plants but I think it is a rip-off when selling a temperate zone plants in a tropical zone areas. Unless if you desire to have them as a BATA plants (Buy and Throw Away Plants) and consider them as cut flower plants then do purchase and enjoy them for that short duration of time.

Otherwise, it is going to be total waste of your money plus the heartache when you see the plant slowly dying right in front of your eyes.

This particular Begonia is a Temperate Zone Plant which do require cold climate where it would thrive in a cooler climate zone usually works best in Highland Areas. Often I noticed these do well together with Fuchsias. Unless if you have such conditions - I would not recommend these begonias in your garden.

Just for Fun Facts -
These Begonias grow from Tuber, just like some are from Rhizome and Some from Canes - these source from their tuber similar like Dahlias where the plant stores it's energy when facing winter and grow back during spring. This cycle is very much similar like those like Freesia, Iris, Narcissus & Daffodils.

There are so many varieties that had been introduced over the years - especially different colors and tones and multi-layered petals and foliage displays. There are easily 300-500 varieties available with new cultivars and hybrids introduced each year.

Tips:

There is one tip that I can give you - 

Do look for a make flower where you will find the flower has a single petal layer with spores, remove those make flowers but leave those bunched female flowers as the plant will last long with many more blooms.

I had also come across other tips where to trim and prune off the spend branches for the plant to focus more on new blooms. Do check and do more research on these areas especially during Summer where it will works best - by then during Fall  - these will slowly fall back and goes dormant and so do pay close attention as you do not want the plant to have rot on it's tuber or else the whole plant is lost.

In some cases, its best to bring the plant indoors as let the tuber to rest and rejuvenate when it comes back to life in spring.

As I had mentioned before,

I'm not a fan of plants which doesn't not do well in my Climate Zone.

Just wanted to make an emphasize not to purchase these plants if you are in the hot & humid tropical climate zone like me.

 Begonia Common Names and Images

Here is the link where I had put together a list of all the begonias that I had come across. A database of all the different types & their characteristics. Please click on the link on the title above for the post.

Begonia Semperflorens - Red Wax Begonia

Begonia semperflorens commonly known as Wax Begonia often have this rosy dandy flowers and the foliage structure is always glossy - hence it's famously known as Wax Begonia. 

I only have come across this particular variety been introduced and cultivated here in Malaysia and had not come across any other varieties or hybrids so far - which makes me to think that this particular one is actually from Cameron Highlands. 

Often sold for RM10-RM12, something that I consider is very cheap for a begonia plant but as usual, I had failed many times trying to propagate it and keeping this one alive at least for few months. I must say, it does have a short span where it's faced with the lowland hot climate.

Just like a Rose Begonia, I wouldn't recommend this for any new beginner or begonia collector as I had not seen anyone who speaks highly of this one nor managed to grow this one successfully.

Although, it is truly a beauty and I may just try again and experiment with it to find how to manage to keep it long term in my garden using the right chemicals for it flourish in my garden.

A little bit of it's characteristics:

It has the similar look with the common Wax Begonia but the coloration is much darker and the plant look more stunted and compact. Do watch out for root rot or stem root - as it does not do well when overwatering, also refrain from watering from the top as the flowers and leaves will start to fall off when the water stays on the plant.

Propagation often takes place naturally when the seedpod exposes a dust-like seeds spraying across any moist medium and that is suitable for the seedling to sprout and grow profusely. However these can also grow by cuttings but do make sure that there is no rot as the whole plant dies off once it fully matures.

I had found that this particular one can be challenging in a warm and humid areas compared to a cooler and cold climate areas - somehow this one behaves well together with Rose Begonias - similar for the temperate climate zones.

Begonia Common Names and Images

Here is the link where I had put together a list of all the begonias that I had come across. A database of all the different types & their characteristics. Please click on the link on the title above for the post.

Begonia Semperflorens - Wax Begonia

I must say this is one my most Love & Hate begonias ever. I often see this one grow carelessly by the drain side but every time I bring and rescue them and plant & propagate them in my garden, this one never last more than a season. 

This particular one is not cultivated in garden centers as it is very much considered as a weed or more less a forgotten begonia plant - This Wax Begonia is easily found on high humidity areas especially along drain side and mossy areas.

Begonia semperflorens commonly known as Wax Begonia often have this rosy dandy flowers and the foliage structure is always glossy - hence it's famously known as Wax Begonia. 

Propagation often takes place naturally when the seedpod exposes a dust-like seeds spraying across any moist medium and that is suitable for the seedling to sprout and grow profusely. However these can also grow by cuttings but do make sure that there is no rot as the whole plant dies off once it fully matures.

 I had found that this particular one can be challenging in a warm and humid areas compared to a cooler and cold climate areas - somehow this one behaves well together with Rose Begonias - similar for the temperate climate zones.

However, there are some which are tropical hardy - I believe this is one of it but I rarely find anyone cultivating this particular one strongly as an ornamental plant. Nevertheless, I have seen those who still manage to cultivate these especially in kampung areas where this one is locally known as Asam Batu.

Begonia Common Names and Images

Here is the link where I had put together a list of all the begonias that I had come across. A database of all the different types & their characteristics. Please click on the link on the title above for the post.