Begonia Breakdance - Part 2

INTRODUCTION:

This particular rhizome begonia is very often introduced as an ornamental begonia in most nursery - often sold from Cameron Highlands where these are cultivated and usually will make a comeback every 6 months time or so in the general plant market.

These are sold using 2 leaves as main propagated plant and you will find a colony appearing from this leaf cutting - grown from cocopeat and often appear with beautiful healthy rootball of which I may say may have taken somewhere around 3-4 months time.

The problem with these begonias are none of these are suitable to be grown or cultivated in lowland conditions - I have tried countless times and had failed miserably when these begonias shows signs of stress when they start to overgrown or finished its season.

Propagation can prove to be very challenging as their growing conditions are not easily met in lowland hot and wet climate zone leading them to rot and perish under stressful conditions.

Hence, the proper care and balance is highly required and may only be cultivated by experts where watering, feeding and type of soil medium which can prove difficult to figure out due to different garden conditions.

Therefore, I wouldn't recommend this particular begonia to new beginners unless you have a colder garden especially like the ones found in the highlands. These do well in cold freezing nights and bright sunny days.

CHARACTERISTICS:

This plant has characteristics similar to Begonia Chivalry and Black Velvet Begonia.

Also very similar to black fang. They do indeed have the blue sheen when viewed from an angle.

It is a rhizome type and so need to be very watchful if over-watered as it might cause severe rot.

The visual display on this picture explains the formation of the foliage structure - of which I'm lost for words to describe.

GENERAL BEGONIA 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.

Depending on the Begonia adaptation and its ability to handle hardy conditions - if the plant is stress it may drop all it's leaves before regeneration - hence more care is required to ensure the right balance of watering and humidity verse root and stem rot. 

Medium:

Fast Draining - 1/3 Compost at the bottom layered with coconut chips and sand in between the rhizome root-ball.

Watering
Water only when the Medium is Dry

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

(Depending on what works best in your garden conditions - some gardeners use chicken/goat manure, coffee based fertilizer, organic fertilizer - test out and see on a trial basis to see what works best in your garden conditions)

Light

Place in Bright, Indirect Light - Shaded from direct hot sun areas - Ideal for Balcony Plants.

Do take note that this one truly hate too much water - the leaves may also change colors, especially turning pale green and the red and burgundy coloration faded. Do take note that if this happens - most likely the plant lifespan is numbered and the eventually leaf by leaf - they start dropping and the rhizome dried up or rotting and it is too late to safe the plant or rectify the problem.

Hence - do watch out on the overwatering part - the medium too play a big part on this, especially if it purchased with cocopeat planted with it - its more likely a dooms-day time clocking by the days for it to kaput.  It is much better to take the risk to replant it to a new medium and allow the plant to grow through shock and recover and safe the plant - keeping it long term for years to go by then seeing it fall apart when the cocopeat dried up together with the root-ball.

 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 Speculata - Part 2

CHARACTERISTICS:

I must say that unlike most cascading hanging types similar like Martin Mystery begonias this particular one is very much grows upright - in way to mention that it grows on forest floor and covers most of the vegetation in that manner. 

The foliage coloration is indeed unique where it does not fall into any shades of silver, green or multi-tones rather it is very much in appearance like a rugged leather parchment material in the appearance of dark coloration of dark grey - green tones and the foliage surface appears like a corrugated effect.

It does have some resembles to a Star Begonia 'Immense' and most like a hybrid from this parentage. The leaves can grow big and huge given the good growing conditions.

Based on the dark coloration - this begonia has the ability to grow well in dark shaded areas, even the back of its leaves has the dark burgundy coloration denotes the ability to thrive under dark and shaded conditions.

GENERAL BEGONIA 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.

Depending on the Begonia adaptation and its ability to handle hardy conditions - if the plant is stress it may drop all it's leaves before regeneration - hence more care is required to ensure the right balance of watering and humidity verse root and stem rot. 

Medium:

Fast Draining - 1/3 Compost at the bottom layered with coconut chips and sand in between the rhizome root-ball.

Watering
Water only when the Medium is Dry

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

(Depending on what works best in your garden conditions - some gardeners use chicken/goat manure, coffee based fertilizer, organic fertilizer - test out and see on a trial basis to see what works best in your garden conditions)

Light

Place in Bright, Indirect Light - Shaded from direct hot sun areas - Ideal for Balcony Plants.

Do take note that this one truly hate too much water - the leaves may also change colors, especially turning pale green and the red and burgundy coloration faded. Do take note that if this happens - most likely the plant lifespan is numbered and the eventually leaf by leaf - they start dropping and the rhizome dried up or rotting and it is too late to safe the plant or rectify the problem.

Hence - do watch out on the overwatering part - the medium too play a big part on this, especially if it purchased with cocopeat planted with it - its more likely a dooms-day time clocking by the days for it to kaput.  It is much better to take the risk to replant it to a new medium and allow the plant to grow through shock and recover and safe the plant - keeping it long term for years to go by then seeing it fall apart when the cocopeat dried up together with the root-ball.

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 sykakiengii / Begonia U561

INTRODUCTION:

This particular rhizome begonia as a very peculiar name - something that I still struggle to pronounce, leave out - even the spelling is challenging that I just "cut" & "paste" when mentioning this begonia while writing this page.

Begonia sykakiengii identified as a new species from Panay Island, Philippines. Like most native begonias in their region, it does have similar characteristics when it comes to foliage shape, structure and colorations.

Also strangely there are other variants that shares the same name where the silver border surrounding the leaf is omitted and the whole leaf appears to be in the dark brown with the silver spots on the whole foliage appearance. I believe that there are too many slight variants that yet to be properly catalogued and some have been hybridized using this main parent with others to create more exclusive coloration.

It is good to see to some native species begonias been introduced into the Main Plant Market as Ornamental Plants - as this would surely ensure the longevity of rare native begonias from becoming extinct.

It has been documented that Begonia sykakiengii is the same begonia as U561 confirmed by Professor Rosario Rubite of The University of Philippines during her visit to the Fort Worth Botanic Garden and Botanical Research Institute of Texas. This visit was funded by a grant from.the American Begonia Society, individual branches and generous individual members. Prof Rubite is one of the authors of the paper publishing this Philippine species, from Panay Island. 

CHARACTERISTICS:

The foliage is very much uniform in an oval kidney shaped pattern.

Here you will noticed the 2 toned coloration, the central area appearing very bronze like with the lighter toned borders more on the pinkish silvery tones. This particular begonia have a burgundy dark back similar like Martin Mystery underback.

Also it is a prolific bloomer too with the white and pink colored blooms. Very similar to another rhizome begonia known as Begonia Luzonese - perhaps both would have crossed breed naturally in their natural surroundings.

Do take note that these can also morph into stronger pink coloration when exposed to bright lighting similar like Martin Mystery coloration where those will change into more silvery pink tones.

GENERAL BEGONIA 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.

Depending on the Begonia adaptation and its ability to handle hardy conditions - if the plant is stress it may drop all it's leaves before regeneration - hence more care is required to ensure the right balance of watering and humidity verse root and stem rot. 

Medium:

Fast Draining - 1/3 Compost at the bottom layered with coconut chips and sand in between the rhizome root-ball.

Watering
Water only when the Medium is Dry

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

(Depending on what works best in your garden conditions - some gardeners use chicken/goat manure, coffee based fertilizer, organic fertilizer - test out and see on a trial basis to see what works best in your garden conditions)

Light

Place in Bright, Indirect Light - Shaded from direct hot sun areas - Ideal for Balcony Plants.

Do take note that this one truly hate too much water - the leaves may also change colors, especially turning pale green and the red and burgundy coloration faded. Do take note that if this happens - most likely the plant lifespan is numbered and the eventually leaf by leaf - they start dropping and the rhizome dried up or rotting and it is too late to safe the plant or rectify the problem.

Hence - do watch out on the overwatering part - the medium too play a big part on this, especially if it purchased with cocopeat planted with it - its more likely a dooms-day time clocking by the days for it to kaput.  It is much better to take the risk to replant it to a new medium and allow the plant to grow through shock and recover and safe the plant - keeping it long term for years to go by then seeing it fall apart when the cocopeat dried up together with the root-ball.

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 Luzonensis - Part 2

INTRODUCTION:

Begonia Luzonensis is a rhizome species begonia from Philippines specifically from Luzon. 

There are however many different variants with these similar characteristics with this type - hence Philippines happens to have 133 unique begonias species which are endemic in their region some endangered but mostly been proposed for a conservation status. 

CHARACTERISTICS:

 When it comes to appearance, it is very much 2 toned coloration foliage plant where there are darker corrugation with the top surface in silvery green coloration. I understand this begonia is giving that perfect camouflaged with the natural surrounding - perhaps growing under canopy or thick vegetation where it is not so brightly striking like most Rex Begonias.

It also has similar characteristics like Begonia Martin Mystery, the leaf formation and plant structure also seemed to have more of a hardy characteristics in comparison to most begonias. This one have an oval shaped foliage with dark green vein appearance with silvery tones on the full foliage surface.

Propagation is fairly easy with stem cutting but to pay attention to stem rot as it can destroy the whole plant collection. However, it does fair well in comparison to other Rex Begonias - this one is quite hardy. Also is it a prolific bloomer and does produce self seeding with a 3 winged seedpods. 

Good lighting and humidity is a must to ensure the begonia to grow well and successful.

GENERAL BEGONIA 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.

Depending on the Begonia adaptation and its ability to handle hardy conditions - if the plant is stress it may drop all it's leaves before regeneration - hence more care is required to ensure the right balance of watering and humidity verse root and stem rot. 

Medium:

Fast Draining - 1/3 Compost at the bottom layered with coconut chips and sand in between the rhizome root-ball.

Watering
Water only when the Medium is Dry

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

(Depending on what works best in your garden conditions - some gardeners use chicken/goat manure, coffee based fertilizer, organic fertilizer - test out and see on a trial basis to see what works best in your garden conditions)

Light

Place in Bright, Indirect Light - Shaded from direct hot sun areas - Ideal for Balcony Plants.

Do take note that this one truly hate too much water - the leaves may also change colors, especially turning pale green and the red and burgundy coloration faded. Do take note that if this happens - most likely the plant lifespan is numbered and the eventually leaf by leaf - they start dropping and the rhizome dried up or rotting and it is too late to safe the plant or rectify the problem.

Hence - do watch out on the overwatering part - the medium too play a big part on this, especially if it purchased with cocopeat planted with it - its more likely a dooms-day time clocking by the days for it to kaput.  It is much better to take the risk to replant it to a new medium and allow the plant to grow through shock and recover and safe the plant - keeping it long term for years to go by then seeing it fall apart when the cocopeat dried up together with the root-ball.

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 'SuperNova'

CHARACTERISTICS:

Unlike most common begonias where the foliage are a singular leaf this particular begonia have few lobes attached on its petiole for a foliage structure - something like either 3 attached leaf or 5 when the plant matures.

This particular one have very much similarities with another begonia known as Begonia 'Benitochiba' where it has been produced by a Japanese hybridizer by crossing Begonia 'Filigree' and Begonia luxurians. 

Apart from the date of origin: 1980, nothing much is known about the origins of Begonia 'SuperNova'

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.

Angel Wing Begonia 'Lois Burke'

CHARACTERISTICS:

This particular Begonia have been sourced & hybridized from Steve's Leaves. The plant characteristicas are very much grand in their details where the foliages appears to have with spots similar like most maculata types. It does have a significant red dot centre with veining and perimeter giving that red tones even the back of the leaf - the red strong tones appear at the base of the petiole.

Hence, it still does look pretty if it doesn't flower. The inflorescence are very much in pink-salmon,  orange in color - similar like the Orange Rubra another characteristics which I find evident to a Begonia coccinea parentage. I guess you will really never know when too many begonias have been mix-matched to really see the actual outcome of their plant features.

This particular one appears to be very much in a miniature for it size hence I really can't say whether it is actually the plant feature or whether it is lacking something or compensating for the change of climate zone in the effect of acclimatization.

At this point, I truly think the additional name added as an Angel Wing Begonia doesn't make any difference except to create an appeal for just for a commercial attraction value. The Name Angel Wing or Dragon Wing or "Wing" doesn't denote any justice to indicate of plant parentage other than the foliage appearance.

 

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.

 

Begonia dregei / Maple Leaf Begonia

Photo Credit to Dr Rabiatuadawiyah Kari

CHARACTERISTICS:

I'm actually surprised to find this particular one made it here in Malaysia. Let me explain, unlike the rest of the begonias where they either require cold temperate highland kind of growing conditions or some that may handle well in the lowland climate limestone growing conditions. This particular one is from the arid zone from Africa.

Something similar like a Desert Rose Plant - this particular Begonia does create a caudex at the base of the stem. However, not much of this particular species have been cultivated here in this Asian regions and I have yet also to see anyone showcasing this particular begonia in their cultivation and their success story.

My guess is something similar like Begonia "Tiki Carmen" this particular one is fairly new in the Asian market and just to be exposed in the wider common market. Another factor is that it can also face mistaken identity where it really do not hold any resembles like a common begonia features.

At first glance, I really thought this particular one is a Maple Leaf Hibiscus / Cranberry Hibiscus in green shades, happens when they are not very well exposed to bright light for them to give those red tones. 

In most cases, Begonia foliage are sought after for their beautiful lavish coloration on its foliage, perhaps this one is not so much sought after due to the plain flushed green tones and may easily mistaken for a simple common plant. 

Do take note that these are still sold in their premium prices due to the factor that these still are considered as imported plants. Also none of the locals here are selling this particular begonia in my region.

Plant Care

I believe a lot of the plant care will revert this particular one like a succulent plant - hence over watering can be fatal for this begonia. Once it matures - there would be a tuber like appearance at the base where it stores water - for this very reason, the growing medium must be porous and fast draining.

 

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.