Step by Step Growing Begonia Hydroponic Method for Beginners

This is my Step by Step Method of Growing Begonia using Mopwick system. I have shown here my method and style on how I arrange them in my set-up. The Material required: 

1) Mopwick- washed, soaked and rinsed for few days to a week - water changed daily. 

2) Water Container to hold the water - also raring fish to control mosquito from breeding 

3) Plastic Basket to hold the mopwick and Begonia root ball 

4) A Slab or a Support pieced to hold the Basket 

5) A Begonia Plant - Soil medium removed & washed root ball Basically I roll the root ball with the mopwick and place them carefully inside the basket an array them with the mop stand falling inside the water body. Finding the right balance of moisture flow in the system as not too wet or not too dry to support the root growth system. Also in Part 2 Where I had set another set-up using bricks in a open aquatic pot with mop strand falling over. Both system works well.

Amazing Iridescent Blue Begonias - Black Velvet Begonia Collection (Part 2)

This is my Part 2 of my Black Velvet Begonia Collection where these begonias have the iridescent Blue sheen that has a nice glowing appearance when viewed from an angle in the night 

Here in this collection: Bethlehem Star & Black Velvet Begonia, Begonia Chivalry, Begonia - U578 also Silver King with the venous iridescent features. 

I hope you enjoyed the Blue Sheen - the mesmerizing effect, giving the mysterious look in this Plant Kingdom.

Quick Care Tips: Iron Cross Begonia

This video is basically an Introduction to a Begonia species named: 

Iron Cross Begonia 

which I find the most difficult to cultivate and grow. 

I had killed it many times in my trials and error and so I would like to share my experience based on what I did wrong. 

Here - I show how I cultivate and maintain them: My Tips for the Day: 

1) When purchasing the Iron Cross Begonia - Look out the foliage which is the least damaged. When it is very light green - it means that it is exposed to too much sunlight and the center dark area will appear to shrink and fade. 

2) After purchasing the plant - place is a shaded area where it only get indirect but mild light - check and see for the new leaf formation on their coloration. It is on the dark green with the dark pigmentation appearing strong - Then it is in an ideal condition for it to grow. 

3) Place the Potted Plant in a position where it is not exposed to open rain - as in a control position where you can water them once a week and also no water gets to the leaves or the leaves will end up having burned marks at the edges. 

4) Over watering can cause this plant to have root rot. I have placed it on a double pot so as not to allow the water to seep in from below.

Different Types of "Polka Dot" Cane Begonia Collection

This is my July 2020 Update on my Cane Begonia Collection. 

What I’m showcasing here are the few types of Cane Begonias which I currently cultivating: 

Cane Begonia Collection: Begonia ‘Aya’, Cane Begonia ‘Maculata wightii’, Cane Begonia Hybrid ' Mrs Hashimoto X Maculata wightii, Cane Begonia 'Albo-picta', Cane Begonia ‘Lucerna’ & Cane Begonia ‘Torch’. 

My focus here is to show their Polka Dot features on their Foliage Structure. I had just repot them today just before taking this video. As they are too small and the roots are coming out from their drainage holes. These are cultivated in semi shade area with light daily watering.

Different Types of Begonias - Names and Pictures

This is my June 2020 Update. 

These are clearer pictures of my Begonias where I had labelled them according to their ID Most of the begonias in my collection are slowly regenerating back to their former glory - the ones that survived from last month update: 

Following from the Collection that the ones that growing in the Mop Wick System: The ones on the Water Pot (Aquaponic Mop-wick system) Here in this set-up are : 

Begonia - U578, Begonia Chivalry, Begonia - Luzonensis, Begonia Black Knight, Begonia Hugh Mc. Laughin, Begonia Aquamarine, Begonia Fireworks, Begonia Silver Limbo, Begonia Jolly Silver, The ones propagated on soil medium: Begonia - U497, Acetosa, Art Hodes, Candy Stripe, Martin Mystery, Begonia 'Bethlehem Star', Begonia U514, Begonia Speculata, Begonia - U309, Begonia - Phuthoensis, Begonia ' Silver Jewel' Lettuce Leaf Begonia (Begonia 'Erythrophylla Bunchii'), Begonia - Acetosa growing on sphagnum Moss medium. 

Cane Begonia Collection: Burning Bush Begonia, Begonia Aya, Cane Begonia - Maculata wightii, Cane Begonia 'Albo-picta', Cane Begonia - Borneensis, Cane Begonia 'Albo-picta var rosea', Cane Begonia - Cracklin Rosie, Cane Begonia - Torch, Dragon-wing Begonia

Malaysian Tropical Garden Tour: Begonia Collection - Dec 2019 (Quick Preview)

My first experiment using mop-wick system. 

Here in this set-up are : 

Begonia Chivalry, Begonia Tiger Paws, Begonia Black Knight, Begonia Fireworks,Begonia Five N Dime, Begonia Fire Flush, Begonia Silver Limbo, Begonia Jolly Silver & Begonia 'Lalomie' 

I would say some of these begonias are fussy and may not able to handle stress well if there are changes in the system. Recently I had a rodent infestation that had badly damaged most of my begonias. It had caused great damage to other plants as well and some of it had died out of stress. Needless to say, some types I have are hardy and managed to pull through all the way.

Malaysian Tropical Garden Tour: Begonia Collection - Dec 2019 (Quick Preview)

My first experiment using mop-wick system. 

Here in this set-up are :

 Begonia Chivalry, Begonia Tiger Paws, Begonia Black Knight, Begonia Fireworks,Begonia Five N Dime, Begonia Fire Flush, Begonia Silver Limbo, Begonia Jolly Silver & Begonia 'Lalomie' 

I would say some of these begonias are fussy and may not able to handle stress well if there are changes in the system. Recently I had a rodent infestation that had badly damaged most of my begonias. It had caused great damage to other plants as well and some of it had died out of stress. Needless to say, some types I have are hardy and managed to pull through all the way.

Episcia Strawberry Mist & Burning Ember in Blooms

This was commonly known as Flame Violets which is much hardier than violets itself, both share the same genes - Gesneriaceae. I was ambitious to start a collection on this genes as I thought Episcias were easy and perhaps level up my challenge to another level. 

To my disappointment - it was not as easy as I thought. Regardless, I'm sharing my years of experience with this plant - truly my love-hate relationship plant as they appear to almost to die and revert back to healthy again and at times, the reverse happens like in a cycle.

Episcia Collection Using Water Pot As Best Humidity Factor -Unconventional & Effective Garden Style

This was commonly known as Flame Violets which is much hardier than violets itself, both share the same genes - Gesneriaceae. I was ambitious to start a collection on this genes as I thought Episcias were easy and perhaps level up my challenge to another level. 

To my disappointment - it was not as easy as I thought. Regardless, I'm sharing my years of experience with this plant - truly my love-hate relationship plant as they appear to almost to die and revert back to healthy again and at times, the reverse happens like in a cycle.

Growing Epsicias Using Water Pot for Best Humidity Factor - .Unconventional & Effective Garden Style

This was commonly known as Flame Violets which is much hardier than violets itself, both share the same genes - Gesneriaceae. I was ambitious to start a collection on this genes as I thought Episcias were easy and perhaps level up my challenge to another level. To my disappointment - it was not as easy as I thought. 

Regardless, I'm sharing my years of experience with this plant - truly my love-hate relationship plant as they appear to almost to die and revert back to healthy again and at times, the reverse happens like in a cycle.

Begonia 'Amber Love'

 

INTRODUCTION:

I must say that this particular begonia appears to be a new version recently been introduced in the last season. It made a popular appearance in most nurseries however many are unable to give a proper plant care details. Once of the best description I can mention which is worth observing are the colors. If you could only see them in full black - it would definitely fall into the Black Velvet Begonia category especially the appearance the Begonia "Bethlehem Star" except the later is in glossy iridescent bluish black.

Truth to be told, just as it made its arrival, after few months - it had started showing its sensitivity where it doesn't weather the storm in lowland hot climate zone - nothing similar like the famous Martin Mystery. This particular one - as I highly suspect fall into the highland climate zone category. 

Just like most Rex Rhizome Begonias, most of them can be acclimatized and cultivated given their proper care and nurturing - however, it can be very challenging when lacking high humidity factor. 

CHARACTERISTICS:

I had mistaken thinking that this one was Begonia Marmaduke given the color texture, not many orange colored begonias that I have come across in the Plant Market this round, except for the common 3 colored toned Rex Begonias which often brought down from highland cultivation.

These have more like the 5 pointed star of the Black Begonia parentage, the burgundy colored back-leaf does give away some clues however not much information is available apart from the usual standard house plant care tips.

Few pointers - these are sensitive ones, similar like Tiger Kittens. 
Also some begonias are also identified with similar names with "Amber" of which they are totally from a different variety.

This particular one, Begonia 'Amber Love' doesn't morph into huge leaves sizes.

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 'Señora Katherine Estaya' vs Begonia 'Doña Nilda Apistar'

 CHARACTERISTICS:

By appearance this particular one appears to be very much like a hybrid version of Martin Mystery. Thanks to a facebook group known as The Asian Begonia Alliance, I manage to collect some information concerning this begonia.

It is registered as Begonia 'Señora Katherine Estaya' it is found originally in Philippines, Panay Island as a cultivar. But in closer inspection it has fenices and U192 (Martin Mystery) characters, so it likely is a wild hybrid of these two.

U192(Martin Mystery) is also identified as a native plant in Philippines hence their occurrence may be similar due to their cross-breeding. It is a long domesticated plant so only DNA can say what it actually is.

These are very much rhizome begonias - very much cultivated as a tropical plant may have a plus point where it does well in lowland hot and wet climate zone. Hence plant care is very similar for these types of begonias.

There are other varieties that appears very much similar appearance with this particular one - particularly Begonia 'Doña Nilda Apistar'. They are similar cosmetically, but in growing habits, texture and color pallet they are different.

Begonia 'Doña Nilda Apistar'

Señora Katherine Estaya has flat leaves with mint green veins whereas B. Doña Nilda have slate blue veins and are rogous leaves that become cup like in low humidity, however they flatten a bit in high humidity.

This cultivar is part of the U192 complex, also close relatives of B. 'Martin's Mystery'.
Characterized by its funnel like leaves that become crumpled in low humidity. Its margins are serrated and rogous. Its color is a Milky Magenta with teal markings that radiate from the central vein to its margins. 

This plant is vigorous and adaptable from cold areas to warm and dry places.
It blooms January to November. This cultivar was first discovered in Davao area, grown at garden houses, in rural places.

Side by Side Begonias Pictures Below:

         Doña Nilda Apistar's  vs  Señora Katherine Estaya's

Left Side are all Doña Nilda Apistar's
Right Side are all Señora Katherine Estaya's 

Top are Sun Exposed
Bottom are Shaded.

Thanks to Niel Maceda for documenting this information and making this public.
Information and Photo Credit to: Niel Maceda

The Asian Begonia Alliance where this facegroup has dedicated members who has in depth knowledge in many expertise in association that promotes the discovery, cultivation, hybridisation, and conservation of Begonias in Asia. Their goal is to assist members in growing their collections of asian Begonias, seeds, and knowledge.

FB Link :
https://www.facebook.com/groups/769207941110751/

To Note:
There aren't any information on this particular Begonia in Google Resource.
Hopefully this information share some greater light and awareness to other begonia lovers.

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.

Update: Easy Method to Grow & Propagate Episcia

This is My Update of my Progress after 5 days from my last video. 

This was commonly known as Flame Violets which is much hardier than violets itself, both share the same genes - Gesneriaceae. I was ambitious to start a collection on this genes as I thought Episcias were easy and perhaps level up my challenge to another level. 

To my disappointment - it was not as easy as I thought. Here I had found the best method of how to propagate them as to consider this to be 100% success rate where the plants don't wither or dies rotten. Basically I'm using coconut husk chips together with sphagnum moss & perlite as a propagation medium to encourage the roots to grow. 

Also I keep it in a closed lid container to ensure good humidity factor. Hope this Step by Step Tutorial Helps and give more information on propagating these episcia. If you have an queries, do put your questions on the comment below. 

Also will really appreciate if you can subscribe my channel and click like on my videos. I will update the status of these plants in this closed container for the growth progress.

Easy Method to Grow & Propagate Episcia - Tutorial

This was commonly known as Flame Violets which is much hardier than violets itself, both share the same genes - Gesneriaceae. I was ambitious to start a collection on this genes as I thought Episcias were easy and perhaps level up my challenge to another level. To my disappointment - it was not as easy as I thought. 

Here I had found the best method of how to propagate them as to consider this to be 100% success rate where the plants don't wither or dies rotten. Basically I'm using coconut husk chips together with sphagnum moss & perlite as a propagation medium to encourage the roots to grow. 

Also I keep it in a closed lid container to ensure good humidity factor. Hope this Step by Step Tutorial Helps and give more information on propagating these episcia. If you have an queries, do put your questions on the comment below. 

Also will really appreciate if you can subscribe my channel and click like on my videos. I will update the status of these plants in this closed container for the growth progress.

Quick Care Tips: Episcia Collection-Part 2

This was commonly known as Flame Violets which is much hardier than violets itself, both share the same genes - Gesneriaceae. I was ambitious to start a collection on this genes as I thought Episcias were easy and perhaps level up my challenge to another level. 

To my disappointment - it was not as easy as I thought. Regardless, I'm sharing my years of experience with this plant - truly my love-hate relationship plant as they appear to almost to die and revert back to healthy again and at times, the reverse happens like in a cycle. 

Tip: If you are planning to grow them on ground - do layer them together in between pebbles and stones and place at the corner like drainside area where the humidity is strong. Also they thrive in bright indirect shaded area - as these require such conditions to thrive.

Quick Care Tips: Episcia Collection

This was commonly known as Flame Violets which is much hardier than violets itself, both share the same genes - Gesneriaceae. I was ambitious to start a collection on this genes as I thought Episcias were easy and perhaps level up my challenge to another level. To my disappointment - it was not as easy as I thought. 

Regardless, I'm sharing my years of experience with this plant - truly my love-hate relationship plant as they appear to almost to die and revert back to healthy again and at times, the reverse happens like in a cycle.

Tips 1: 

Do take importance on propagating the Stolons as spare plants as this plant is short lived and having spares will ensure you don't lose that particular type when the plant succumbs to rot or dies.

Tip 2: 

Do invest on a Terrarium or a Glass Bowl or a Glass Tank to keep them inside the enclosure for maximum humidity and protection against pest such as mealy bug or scale insect, often ants bring those pest as the ants farm them bringing these pest to feed and produce nectar juices from these plants.

Tip 3: 

Also do invest on a very good fertilizer that is not too strong for these sensitive types where the leaves may get burned if overdosed.

Thank you so much for visiting, do click like and if you have any questions, do write on the comment below.