I had found this particular Cane Begonia Hybrid sold in an exclusive nursery that specialize on rare plants. And so like most plants sold for an affordable price - I manage to get this small plant-let for half of the market price which is quite risky too in case if this plant succumbs to stress and dies.
Upon arrival - I had a huge mistake of not securing the plant properly and I had accidentally crushed a leaf. You can see the damage done and it took few months for it to eventually recover and put on a new leaf.
Upon inspection, I had found the nursery had propagated this using only coconut chips with shaghum moss and perlite. Eventually when the plant grew I had used the same medium in slightly a bigger pot.
Some characteristics:
It has slightly broad leaf with no white tip.
Also it has slight red veins on the back of the leaf with green back.
Unlike maculata wightii - this one don't have burgundy back.
It is a terrible slow growing plant - almost like a single leaf for a month, and just as that - an old falls away. This plant maintains like 4-6 leaves throughout.
I must come out with a strategy to make this plant grow big and healthy. The last time I had over fertilized it and almost killed it when I saw the burns on the tips of the leaves. Another lesson learned.
These are the pictures of this particular Cane Begonia Maculata Hybrid - the collection of the pictures over the months period.
It was difficult at first to restraint myself from watering the garden out of habit on daily basis. Now - I just lightly mist my garden 2 to 3 days once, depending on the situation whether if it rains that day.
Care & Cultivation:
MEDIUM:
Just like most Cane Begonia species - this one is grown on a medium:
50% coco chip mixed with sand & potting mix. I found this medium used for propagation by the nursery owner - I had slightly added the same medium type and re-pot it in a bigger pot.
So far - the plant doubled it's size.
FEEDING:
I started using 3-4 pieces of Osmocote as fertilizer - 2 week once.
Alternatively I spray root hormone (Seaweed solution) also used another rooting hormone (Vitamin B1) a solution for stronger root growth as these are prone for root rot.
WATERING:
Slightly spray water once a day in the morning and refrain watering rainy days.
I do water twice a day on a dry and hot days - it's depending on the weather.
Apparently they do better as watering once a week - again depending on the type of medium and the condition they are in. If they are located in a cool and bright shaded area with good humidity - this plant fairs well.
Apart from this variation.
Other matters are very much similar with the general information about Cane Begonias.
Do click below for more information on Cane Begonias.