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.