Begonia Goegoensis

Photo Credit to Dr Rabiatuadawiyah Kari

CHARACTERISTICS:

Begonia Goegoensis is a species begonia found around 1881 in Sumatra - this rhizome begonia has a very unique oval shape very much similar with few other species especially with Begonia Phutoensis and Begonia Sudjanae. Apparently it also share the same characteristics with Begonia Rajah.

The features of the begonia has a light green veins spanning across the whole foliage surface with the light red burgundy background. Colors may appear more brighter and brilliant based on the amount of light the begonia receives.

I had found the greener colored versions are much hardier and easier to cultivate as garden plants.

PLANT CARE:

Plant Care is very similar like most Rhizome Begonia Care & Cultivation Needs. This depends in different garden or indoor conditions - its all depending on getting the right balanced conditions.

Medium:

Fast Draining - Soil Based / Sometimes Sphagnum Moss with Perlite is used.

Watering
Water only when the Medium is Dry

Feeding
Foliar Fertilizer - Once a Week with 1/2 Dilution Strength. / Osmocote

Light

Place in Bright Shade area - Ideal like a Balcony Plants.

A younger leaf appearance just as it open from folded leaf bud

Pictures below are different types of begonia showing in a comparison view with each other.

Begonia Phutoensis with Begonia Geogoensis

Begonia Sp Trang

Begonia Cleopatrae

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 'Cathedral'

Photo Credit to Dr Rabiatuadawiyah Kari

CHARACTERISTICS:

Begonia 'Cathedral' also known as Begonia 'Stained Glass' and sometimes also labeled as Begonia ' Cathedral Windows' - it could be the linking the two names together - Stained Glass Begonia.

This could be due the special effects on the plant foliage features that look very much like a stain glass effect. 

Technically it would be very difficult to describe the formation of this particular begonia foliage as it appears to be more ruffled with many twist and curls and with close inspection you can actually notice the folds appearing in every corner of the foliage - the basic formation would be a cupped shape in an upright formation, apart from other special features appearing in every folds and bends.

The plant origin is a little mystery - It may had been a hybrid from Australia and was introduced around 1966 - nothing much is really known apart from this been an heirloom plant cultivated in the temperate climate - hence it may prove challenging in the tropical regions.

PLANT CARE:

Plant Care is very similar like most Rhizome Begonia Care & Cultivation Needs. This depends in different garden or indoor conditions - its all depending on getting the right balanced conditions.

Medium:

Fast Draining - Soil Based / Sometimes Sphagnum Moss with Perlite is used.

Watering
Water only when the Medium is Dry

Feeding
Foliar Fertilizer - Once a Week with 1/2 Dilution Strength. / Osmocote

Light

Place in Bright Shade area - Ideal like a Balcony Plants.

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 Chloroneura

Photo Credit to Dr Rabiatuadawiyah Kari

CHARACTERISTICS:

Begonia Chloroneura is a species begonia native to Philippines found in the Isabela Province on the island of Luzon. It behaves more like a creeping rhizome begonia growing on slopes and hills of limestone in the rainforest. 

This particular begonia has lime colored light green veins on a dark burgundy as background leaf surface. Also there are tiny fur on the leaf surface appearing like hooks - in red color.

PLANT CARE:

Plant Care is very similar like most Rhizome Begonia Care & Cultivation Needs. This depends in different garden or indoor conditions - its all depending on getting the right balanced conditions.

Medium:

Fast Draining - Soil Based / Sometimes Sphagnum Moss with Perlite is used.

Watering
Water only when the Medium is Dry

Feeding
Foliar Fertilizer - Once a Week with 1/2 Dilution Strength. / Osmocote

Light

Place in Bright Shade area - Ideal like a Balcony Plants.

Picture below shows the difference between two species:

Begonia Chloroneura vs Begonia U514 where both looking so similar in coloration but they are different in shape and texture.

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 'Red Planet'

Photo Credit to Dr Rabiatuadawiyah Kari

CHARACTERISTICS:

Begonia 'Red Planet' is a hybrid begonia appearing to have the red blotches on green background foliage surface. This particular rhizome begonia has compact miniature growth where the leaves are very much in oval shape. It does some plant structure with similar appearance like Tiger Paws especially the petiole and the rhizome structure.

Chances are the Begonia 'Red Planet' was named after Planet Mars where the foliage appearance may have similar characteristics with this planet. Some cultivars have a very brilliant red dot at the center by the petiole. These may change its colorations into more deeper maroon where it receive cooler temperature drop at night with bright light during the day - ideal for temperate garden conditions.

Some plant vendors labelled it as Mysterious Begonia Red Planet - not knowing whether its an adjective or a noun used for the added mystery or a play of lavish words for a marketing strategy for sale purpose. Also sometimes identified as Eyelash Begonia 'Red Planet'

Also it have very similar appearance with another begonia known as Begonia strigillosa where it appears to be a rhizomatous species native to Mexico and Central America. Begonia 'Red Planet' may be a hybrid from one of this parent plant.

PLANT CARE:

Plant Care is very similar like most Rhizome Begonia Care & Cultivation Needs. This depends in different garden or indoor conditions - its all depending on getting the right balanced conditions.

Medium:

Fast Draining - Soil Based / Sometimes Sphagnum Moss with Perlite is used.

Watering
Water only when the Medium is Dry

Feeding
Foliar Fertilizer - Once a Week with 1/2 Dilution Strength. / Osmocote

Light

Place in Bright Shade area - Ideal like a Balcony Plants.

 

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 Masoniana 'Lonely Rock'

Photo Credit to Dr Rabiatuadawiyah Kari

INTRODUCTION:

This particular hybrids comes with a series identified as Jungle, River, Rock & Mountain and all have the similar appearance and unique characteristics of an Iron Cross Begonia. It is indeed a huge challenge to cultivate them giving them the right accurate plant care needs as these are highly sensitive plants to cultivate in a hot and wet Malaysian climate zone. Hence they are more ideal in temperate regions where it is cooler in the night and practical for indoor setting especially by a brightly window area.

All of these begonias are specially imported from overseas and are not often found in local cultivation due to their sensitive needs and may easily succumb to rot if overwatered. Hence they are expensive and in most cases plant vendors may have to bear the cost of plant purchase when these begonias dies in their care when sales are not successful.

However, it is not an impossible plant to acclimatize in the lowland tropical regions as long as their right conditions are met especially the soil medium and the watering regime.

CHARACTERISTICS:

These Begonia are very much like Iron Cross Begonia Types but hybrids and so their care and cultivation of these types are very similar in nature.

This particular Begonia had been catalogued as a smaller version of another hybrid known as Begonia masoniana Mountain. These are the determine of difference of their plant growth size - Mountain version appearing a bigger sized leaves whereas Rock being more of a smaller type leaf size.

The challenge might be frustrating to accurately identify and determine which is exactly Begonia Masoniana 'Lonely Rock' vs Begonia Masoniana Mountain. There is another one is commonly labelled as Begonia Iron Cross Variegata (however the black pigmentation for variegata does not split into a fork)

It is a pity that most plant vendors do not give proper specifics on the true plant care and requirements when these are sold in their counters of which can prove challenging and at times bring disappointments and heartaches to most novice gardeners when the plant is already half dead or dying and there is nothing much can be done when the plant had already going through stress over a duration of time. 

As far as I had known, only a handful of Begonia cultivators are able to cultivate and grow them successfully and that is not without great effort and care as these are highly sensitive plants.

Care Needs:

After so many trials and error - I must confess that I had totally given up on this particular begonia.

However I must say that the Care and Cultivating this particular one is challenging due to my garden condition that does not support this particular need for them to thrive.

1) Not Water on the Foliage or Leaves 

This is upmost important as water droplet on the leaves tend to cause the leaves to turn brown. Instead watering should be done on the medium surface only and if possible the best method would be letting the water to sip in from the bottom of the pot drainage hole and once it had received adequate water - the plate or saucer holding the remaining water should be discarded and the next watering should take place only when the medium is dry. Too much water can kill this begonia.

2) Lighting

This particular one thrives in good shade and so too hot bright light especially direct sunlight on them make cause the dark pigment to fade or shrink away - sort of dent lining appears instead of the full cross appearance on the foliage. 

3) Humidity

I must say that this is one of the best plants to grow in green house where the humidity is controlled where overwatering & direct sunlight is well controlled and managed. Hence it would prove challenging but not impossible to grow them in hot and wet tropical climate - it would be impossible though in long term if this plant is exposed to direct hot sun and rain - unlike other begonias like Cane Begonias and Martin Mystery can handle such conditions - this one however does not handle such stress.

Another tricky part about this particular one is that it cannot receive too much humidity as it may cause rot on the leaves and hence it appears to be more on a drier side. That specific balance is needed - not too humid and not too dry - that would be that accurate setting for these particular masoniana begonia types.

All things been said, It is true that most plant lovers feels great accomplishment in their ability to get this particular types cultivated successfully in their hands - that feeling of accomplishment is priceless.

Hence Begonia Enthusiast will continue to persist and endure in all these trials and error until successfully accomplished. 

And so, the journey continues as I keep researching and identifying whatever methods that might work in compiling these experiences in a database for future reference and study.

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 Cleopatrae

Photo Credit to Dr Rabiatuadawiyah Kari 

INTRODUCTION:

Begonia Cleopatrae also labelled as Begonia Cleopatra is considered a native Begonia species from Philippines, specifically from Palawan Island. There is not much reliable information concerning this begonia and often misidentified as Maple Leaf Begonia as these foliage appears to grow in dense formation and in miniature form.

Also this one have similar characteristics with other hardy rhizome begonias especially like the Black Velvet Hybrid types with green patches and coloration. Hence the confusion in care is often mixed up with this one. Black Velvet Types does have Maple Leaf foliage shape and these types are much hardier and easy to care for in comparison with Begonia Cleopatrae even though both look almost alike.

Other mis-identified begonias with other begonias such as Begonia Tiger Paws, Begonia Chivalry, Begonia U578, Star Begonia heracleifolia and Begonia - Mazae F Nigricans.

Adding to the similar characteristics it is more safer to note it identify this rhizome begonia as a sensitive plant and have very close similarity features with Begonia Listada especially the colorations and foliage appearance and plant care needs. However due to its tropical heritage it has slightly more tolerable than temperate types.

This particular one is very much a small, slow growing compact type leathery leaved begonia with dark burgundy with light green patches at the center and leaf edges. It does produce tiny pink inflorescence in between the foliage. This Begonia is not a hardy begonia and so care must be given not to overwater them as they behave very much like a succulent plant. Exposed to direct sun and rain may be fatal for this one.

These foliage are more oval shaped with slight frill formation at the leaf edges and never have any lobes or maple like leaf shape formation.

Plant Care:

Naturally these grow on higher grounds in the heavy thick growth in between rock cervicals and upon cliff edges with heavy loose leaf droppings, heavily shaded with constant balance moisture around the surrounding. Hence these are only found in the wild - cultivation and introduction towards bringing this into an acclimate state to a garden conditions may prove highly challenging. Perhaps it may be more ideal if this is been cultivated in a terrarium conditions but more research on this matter is yet to be done and discovered.

I wouldn't recommend this particular one to any new beginners are they are not easy to care for and also an expensive plant which can be considered a rare plant than a common one.

Medium:

Fast Draining - Soil Based / Sometimes grown using Sphagnum Moss

Watering
Water only when the Medium is Dry (refrain from watering over the leaves)

Feeding
Foliar Fertilizer - Once a Week with 1/2 Dilution Strength / Osmocote

Light

Place in Bright Shade area - Ideal like a Terrarium Plant

Begonia Listada in comparison with (Begonia Cleopatrae)

Begonia Listada also known as The Striped Begonia is a species Begonia native to Brazil. 

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 Soli-mutata / Sun Changing Begonia

Photo Credit to Dr Rabiatuadawiyah Kari

CHARACTERISTICS:

Begonia Soli-mutata has it's origin from Brazil, the name derives from the meaning Sun Changing, also commonly known as Sun Changing Begonia - this particular rhizome begonia has furry foliage surface very similar like Acetosa and Manaus. 

One of the special features are the multicolored coated foliage where it feels like a satin leaf surface - the colors are in green tones and the fine hairy filaments are in red, giving that red satin fold. The back leaf also is layered fully with this red fur. Another Begonia hybrid known as 'Boomer' has the exact characteristics however Boomer is very much wider, thin and in green.

Also very similar with Begonia Art Hodes but this one has more toned down colors and without any red furry notes.

Plant Care:

Begonia Soli-mutata is not an easy plant to care for - it is not a hardy type where it can handle overwatering or able to stand directly on open sunlight. The very fact is this one can have burned leaves when over exposed to scorching heat or rotten rootball & rhizome when over watered.

However, just like most furry leaf types - they cannot handle any water droplets being stagnant on the leaf surface and prolonged soaking medium- the right balance of adequate and limited watering and care is given where it humid enough but not to get the foliage wet would be an ideal condition for this begonia to thrive.

Often, it would be an ideal condition to grow this one in a terrarium - very similar like an iron cross begonia. As I mentioned that this is like a Highland Begonia type where it may require cooler night temperature drop and bright indirect but not scorching hot sun during the day and most importantly moist but dry medium to support the root & rhizome from not getting any rot.

These are somehow are very ideal for the temperate climate conditions than the tropical conditions where it is too hot or too wet - exposed to heavy rain. If you have managed to cultivate Iron Cross Begonia - this would another ideal one in that same plant care category.

Usually a lot of the heavy furry foliage types does require these special needs due to the condition they come from where their natural habitat is such for them to grow and thrive.

Personally I have yet to encounter anyone successfully had managed to lavishly cultivate these in their garden in the open  here in the hot & wet tropical region in Malaysian weather conditions. Hence I wouldn't recommend this particular one to any new beginners are they are not easy to care for and also an expensive plant which can be considered a rare plant than a common one.

Medium:

Fast Draining - Soil Based

Watering
Water only when the Medium is Dry (refrain from watering over the leaves)

Feeding
I use Foliar Fertilizer - Once a Week with 1/2 Dilution Strength.

Light

Place in Bright Shade area - Ideal like a Balcony Plants.

NOTE:

I realized that these behave very much like a succulent plants - less watering, medium dry before watering and they do not like water on their leaves rather only on the medium.

 
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.