Classification: Flowering house plant
House Plant Group: Cane-stemmed plant, trailing plant or bushy plant (depending on variety)
Character: Grown for temporary display (flower), the leafy ones are evergreen
Safe for pets? No
Varieties:
- Begonia argenteo-guttata (Trout begonia)
- Begonia coccinea (Angel wing begonia)
- Begonia fuchsioides (Fuchsia begonia)
- Begonia glaucophylia (Begonia limmingheiana – Shrimp begonia)
- Begonia haageana (Elephant ear begonia)
- Begonia lucerna
- Begonia metallica
- Begonia semperflorens (Wax begonia)
- Begonia serratipetala (Pink spot begonia)
Plant Care:
- Temperature: Average warmth
- Light: Bright light. Avoid direct sunlight
- Water: Keep the planting medium moist but allow surface to dry out slightly between waterings
- Repotting: Repot if necessary with either Serbajadi Organic Peat Moss or Serbajadi Multi-Purpose Compost
- Fertiliser:
- For leafy plants: Serbajadi Plant Food Organic Plus 23 Growing Fertilisers (750gm)
- For flowering plants: Serbajadi Plant Food Organic Plus 41 Flowering Fertilisers (750gm)
Plant issues:
- Brown blotches, turning grey & mouldy: Due to over moist soil and low light
- Leaves with brown tip: Not enough humidity
- Pale, rotting leaves: Due to over-watering
- Yellowing leaves: Watering issues. Too little light
- Loss of leaves: Not enough light / too much heat / watering issues
- Flower buds drop: Not enough humidity or under-watering
- Plant collapse: Root issues
Pests:
- Spider mites: Wipe off with a damp cloth/cotton bud and spray with Serbajadi Neem Spray Extra Strength. Attack water-stressed plants, so regularly watering (but not over-watering) will prevent attacks
- Aphids: Spray the plant with high pressure water followed by Serbajadi Neem Spray Extra Strength
