The Begonia Maculata is also known as “Polka dot Begonia” or “Spotted Begonia”. He is originally from southeastern Brazil. It grows naturally in the Atlantic Forest and is observed in Brazilian states. This plant is one of the newest members of the Begonia genus. In this article we will see how to propagate, grow Begonia Maculata and its care.
Contents
Basic description of Begonia Maculata
This plant is a perennial shrub. It is deep purplish red on the underside. Once the plant matures, it will produce bell-shaped white or red flowers.
The Begonia Maculata can measure up to 1.5 meters high and 50 cm wide. It does not go dormant, but its growth is slower during the winter season.
Despite its attractive appearance, Begonia Maculata is considered poisonous, especially when eaten.
This plant contains soluble calcium oxalates, which are harmful to animals. Therefore, it is essential to avoid leaving pets unattended with Begonia Maculata.
For humans, Begonia Maculata is not considered poisonous. However, its tubers can cause irritation and vomiting if eaten.
How to Propagate Begonia Maculata
The easiest way to propagate begonia maculata is to do it directly in the ground, this can also be done with just water, but it is more difficult and requires more care.
Using clean, sharp scissors, cut several cuttings (stems) about 10cm long under one or two nodes, looking for the newest and healthiest of the plant.
Remove excess soil and leaves from the bottom of the cuttings, cut across so that the roots can develop more easily.
Plant it in a pot of well-drained soil, or you can also plant it next to the parent plant to make it look fuller.
Leave the pot where it receives but not direct sunlight until you see new leaves growing, also remember to keep the soil moist at all times. Once you notice you can transplant it.
Maintenance of begonia maculata
ideal sunshine
Like most begonia plants, this begonia prefers both direct and indirect sunlight.
Too much direct sunlight will damage and ruin your plant’s beautiful leaves and may even stunt its growth. On the other hand, getting so little light can fade the color.
If it’s indoors, be sure to place it facing a window, where it can get plenty of sunlight.
For best results, it is advisable to spend some time bringing your Begonia Maculata indoors every morning so that it gets a few hours of needed sunlight.
humidity and temperature
This type of plant thrives in high temperatures and cannot survive primarily in cold temperatures.
The ideal temperature for Begonia Maculata is 20 to 30 degrees C. This range can be easily managed if the plant is placed indoors.
As for humidity, this plant prefers 45% humidity. This is the average humidity level in a room. You can also place your Begonia Maculata in the kitchen or bathroom to get maximum indoor humidity.
Usually I
The Begonia Maculata prefers moist or wet soil. If the soil becomes soggy, the roots are sure to rot. However, don’t let the soil dry out completely either, as your plant will become brittle and break easily.
You can grow begonia maculata in a cactus and succulent mix or make your own; mix equal parts garden soil, river sand and perlite.
Irrigation
For your Begonia Maculata to flourish, it is advisable to water it regularly. This type of plant does not like to stay in dry soil for a long time.
Check if the soil is dry before watering. This is important to prevent the floor from getting soggy. Do not drown the plant, as it is unlikely to survive overwatering.
In summer, water it about every two days and in winter once a week will be more than enough.
Just as important as the frequency of watering, it is also essential to ensure that you use a pot with adequate drainage holes so that water does not stagnate inside the pot.
Fertilizer
You can feed this plant with diluted liquid fertilizer every two weeks. This will help your plant have more giant leaves and encourage flowering. However, for indoor Begonia Maculata, it is unlikely to produce flowers.
Transplant
It is only necessary to repot your Begonia Maculata if it starts to outgrow its current pot. Choose a new, slightly larger pot with enough space for the plant to grow in it for a long time, but not so wide that the roots expend too much energy.
To repot your Begonia Maculata, carefully remove the plant from its current pot. Be sure to remove any excess soil from around the root ball and plant your Begonia Maculata in its new pot.
Only repot your Begonia Maculata when necessary and avoid overdoing it so as not to exhaust it.
Cut
If the Begonia Maculata grows a lot upwards and not so much on the sides, you can prune it by pinching it. Here’s how:
Remove or pinch off the growing tip with the newly unrolled leaves. This will encourage the plant to branch out.
Your plant will grow two new stems. Pinching will also cause the plant to produce more stems at the base and along the stem.
Repeat this monthly to promote maximum growth.
Plagues and diseases
Among the most common pests found on Begonia Maculata are scale insects and whiteflies. These pests feed on the sap of your plant’s leaves.
You can use insecticidal soap or Neem oil to remove these pests from your Begonia Maculata.
Apart from pests, your plant is also prone to Botrytis. It is a disease that plants face in an environment that is too humid.
A sign that your Begonia Maculata is suffering from Botrytis is brown, soggy spots on the undersides of the leaves.
You can use a fungicide to eliminate this disease. In general, your plant is prone to fungal diseases. You can avoid this by having good air circulation.
conclusion
In short, we hope you enjoyed this plant. Besides its characteristics, the cultivation of Begonia Maculata is very easy, which makes it a popular choice among lovers of new plants.
Your plant is sure to thrive with proper watering, direct sunlight, moist soil, and fertilizer.
The main feature of this plant is its leaves, so don’t worry if it doesn’t produce flowers.
After reading this article, we hope you are now feeling more curious and excited about getting your new begonia maculata plant.
Share it on the networks: