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.

How to Grow & Cultivate Episcia / Flame Violet : Episcia Plant Care

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. 

Tip 4: 

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

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

How to Grow & Cultivate Flame Violet : Episcia Cupreata

I'm talking about the structure of the plant where the runners also known as stolon form along each node where it comes from the parent plant - hence from the bottom to the top. When the top most mother plant has many generations - the main plant suffers exhaustion and dies - therefore it needs to be trimmed off and replanted before the whole plant dies. 

The cut - stolons can later be replanted and propagated as a new plant.This ensure the longevity of the main plant and the new (stolon) plant can also enjoy the rooted based instead of receiving it's life support from the top most main plant(great grandmother) Hope this 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.

Begonia Erythrophylla Jungle Black - Hybrid

CHARACTERISTICS:

By appearance it looks like a hybrid mix of Beefsteak begonia with the Black Velvet Varieties similar of a Begonia Breakdance variation. The added beauty are the frills that appears like mini-escargots at the end of each leaf structure. 

In a way, if you able to notice carefully there are fine whiskers like features around the foliage perimeter - something that appears in some Begonia Black Fang varieties. 

Hence - there could be many mix parentage made to establish this stable mix hybrid.

Truth be told - I can't really find the exact ID for this particular begonia hybrid, one thing for sure - Im very positive that this particular one has it's origins from Asia especially surrounding the Thailand - Malaysia borders.

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 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.