Begonia SP. AFF. PEDATIFIDA. I ordered it from Secret Garden. Anyone heard of it or know if this is the correct species name?
Couldn't find this in plant files. Help?
Yes it is a species (supposedly hardy in our area but I have not tried it for hardiness) from Asia (China?).
There are green and red forms. I have had 3 green forms and lost them all due to overwatering or underwatering. So pay attention on those details. I now have a red form from a friend who collected them in the wild in China or some Asian country (Laos, Vietnam, etc) and from a small rhizome it has really grown well.
Here is a picture of my red form taken Jan 14. Sorry I don't have a full picture of it since I hate taking things down from their winter perch to take pictures.
This message was edited Mar 9, 2010 7:28 AM
This message was edited Mar 9, 2010 7:34 AM
Here was my old green form. R.I.P.
And my red form from last summer. The lens cap is nearly 3 inches across for size comparison.
I take that back about a full picture in the basement. I found one dated Jan 25.
I hope this helps. I would love to find another green form.
Butch, Both forms are really nice. Hope you find
another green.
Thanks Jackie. The only place that might have it is GHW and I'm not willing to go that route yet. I was hoping this begonia would become mainstream but it seems to be a rarity to find.
I think I read something about it in the Begonian recently.
I hope it will become easier to find, a striking Begonia.
Those pics are awesome. Especially the red leaf.
Here is the one I have. Is it not the green form?
I got it from: http://yhst-27104608415819.stores.yahoo.net/
Also, did you put this in the plant files? I haven't been able to find it. I would like to add my pic. Thanks.
It looks like pedatifida or a form of it (can't swear to it though - looks similar to crassicaulis too but its leaves are on a very thick stem). No, I don't bother with PF. Seems too cumbersome for me.
Butch, I am tempted by this begonia. What are the growing requirements? Humidity? Deep or light shade? Hardiness? I saw your note on not trying in zone 7.
I'm in zone 6 and my Begonia Grandis from Heronswood (supposedly hardy) only came back from the seeds it shed.
The guy I got it from grows it outdoors around pine trees (if I remember right). I'm not willing to try it outdoors all year until I have plenty to test with. Maybe this year I can start some new ones and leave a couple starts outdoors.
I have it in normal basement air so the humidity flucutates depending on the temps. Yesterday it was quite humid in one room (62%) because the temps had risen to 69 degrees. Outdoors I had it in a shady nook (not heavy shade) for most of the hot summer and then starting in early Sept. I moved it and many new ones to a much sunnier position to get in as much growing as possible before moving indoors. I hope that helps some.
That is grandis for you. I've never seen it really come back from the roots (at least mine hasn't) so it never gets huge like others I've seen. The bubils make a big enough plant to produce new bubils for the next year. I'm not impressed with it but I keep it around because I hope for the best and expect the worst. Maybe I should move them this year so they don't have to compete with hellebores, ferns, and a monster climbing rose.