Begonia 'Wild Pony' came by mail the other day. At first I thought they shipped the wrong plant as the entire plant seemed olive in color. Then I noticed that one old base leaf did have a mottled coloration when viewed from the back like 'Wild Pony'. My question is: if this is 'Wild Pony', then why did the leaf color change? Too much sun? Fertilizer? Or is it just a poor hybrid?
The photo shows the newer leaf on the left and the older mottled leaf on the right.
I cannot answer your questions but I have a feeling that lots of light will make a huge difference and perhaps aging of the leaves. I got a plant that looked very similar to Cowardly Lion (maybe it is Wild Pony or some other look alike) that had some olive green leaves with some streaking. Most of those leaves are gone now and I am left with chocolate brown leaves. It is under a light source but the distance is at least a couple of feet. Once it goes outdoors, I think the situation will change.
Here it is a month ago (Feb 11).
Here is the same plant last June. So age and/or light seems to make quite a difference.
Thanks hcmcdole,
Mine does have that dark chocolate look, it was the flash that gave it the olive color. It was a larger plant so I cut it back in hopes that the new foliage comes in more as expected. I also have 'Cowardly Lion' which I really love. I actually thought too much sun may have caused the problem, not too little, but it would make sense with it being winter.
