CHARACTERISTICS:
This particular Cane Begonia has this unique reddish pink streaks on its foliage. The Exotica Begonia (Begonia brevirimosa subspecies exotica) is a native begonia from the rain forests of Papua New Guinea.
These have like a Angel wing like Begonia leaf span which are actually a species and not a hybrid - however there are some challenges to grow them in lowland climate zone as these requires high humidity something similar like highland types of begonia.
Another unique characteristics are their ability to be able to be propagated just using leaf cuttings - similar like a rhizome begonia. This begonia is also considered sensitive and doesn't do so well when under stress - hence do not consider this particular Cane Begonia as a hardy plant.
Ideal to grow them in a well balanced terrarium conditions where humidity factor is a challenge.
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.
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.
Tabitha, US
ReplyDeleteHow would you best recommend propagating this species? Mine is becoming too tall and I could love to chop the stem but I’m worried it won’t grow roots if stuck in water like other typical canes.
Hi Tabitha, US
ReplyDeleteHow would you best recommend propagating this species?
I must say it may be easy or challenging depending on the climate zone it is grown. The cooler the better.
Just take about 3 nodes from the top - cut and plant it in a potting media and watch carefully for overwatering or over sun exposure - about few weeks you would see some new growths.
Mine is becoming too tall and I could love to chop the stem but I’m worried it won’t grow roots if stuck in water like other typical canes.
Try not to use water rooting unless you are very confident about it as it may not work for the sensitive types as such as these.