Begonia Ghetto

Finally, a presentable showcase worthy of the front garden. I feel so proud; looking forward to version II How were they selected? I'm not sure, it was just a feeling that they might thrive in front or at least wouldn't be worse off. The nice thing is the sun's movements have changed with the season so this spot no longer bears the brunt of hot afternoon sun rays.

Ghetto at the back garden. Notice that B, Shamus which has since relocated to the front garden used to look alot more full with lots more leaves.  

Another view of the back ghetto. B Acetosa looks positively regal then - 5 layers of leaves. Hopefully a dose of crushed goat manure will get its juices running again. It's down to 3 layers in the front garden at this moment.

Not sure if the plastic bags helped. B Silver Jewel (on upper top shelves) is a pale shadow now of what it used to be. Likewise B Manaus (3rd shelf down on left).

B Rex (bottom right) with pink flowers is reduced now to 2 faded out leaves. Another one of those vacillators that can decide whether to go or stay. After two pot changes and numerous location shifts, I'm not sure what else to do.

UnID. Love the romantic pink centres.

Larger leafed are supposed to be more hardy and easier to maintain...??

UnID. Cheery seasonal colours.

Serendipitious

A joy to behold. Constantly flowering. 

An unexpected find at Tiong Bahru market. Sitting outside a shop that had already closed for the day with a very affordable price tag drapped over the pot. Persuaded a neighbouring shopowner to transact on behalf cos' I just had to get it.

I believe this is a B. Acetosa.

Simply splendid.

Part of the deal. Buying this sorry looking Begonia Escargot to sweeten the transaction and make it worth his while. I'm happy.

It's a cane, not a rex!

It's taken me quite a while to figure out that this is a cane-like begonia that would not propagate by leaf cuttings. Even after staking the plant it still didn't occurred to me.

First I went through several rounds of leaf propagation. All turned out in vain. In fact, at least two attempts are currently in perlite under plastic out on the balcony. I haven't had to heart to dismantle the contraption. Who knows, it might be the exceptional cane-like begonia that would respond to leaf cuttings.

Then, I had also been looking out online at plant images on a random basis to try identify this species, such as blogs, Facebook.

Finally I had posed the plant and taken a few shots in anticipation of posting it at Facebook Planet Begonia and possibly getting assistance from certain online experts.

And then I waited, stalled, hesitated... is it really important to know its identity?

Finally two nights ago, I came across an online reference that pointed to it being a hybrid begonia - B "Ice Castle", a cane-like begonia.

Here's the item at Stevesleaves that pointed to it being B Ice Castles. Cane begonias by their nature propagate by stem cuttings mainly. Leaf cuttings don't work as a rule and as corroborated by my own experience 

B Corallina de Lucerne at Jln Soga

It's come to this where I stop and take pictures of plants in others' gardens. Technically this wasn't within a garden but along a busy road but clearly cultivated by a resident on Jln Soga in Batu Pahat. The B.Corallina de Lucerna caught my eye, easily. Because I've been struggling with mine, for at least two years. Here's one that's growing tall and well, seemingly not requiring special attention and care.

One thing I did, after examining the size of the pots, was to report my own in a larger pot, several sizes up. So far so good. 

Grown in the shade of a large tree.

A collection of poles to stake the upright growing shoots.

Here's my own B Corallina de Lucerna (bottom left corner). No flowers, several mishaps and at least 2 years later, this is all I have to show for. Reminder: upsize to largest pot at next opportunity.
This cane begonia has tendency to rot at the root and progressively creep up the stem. The larger pot space seems to minimise this occurence. Best to replicate the species as soon as there's a shoot to spare.

Rex in Perth

Rex is real but Henny-Penny isn't. She's life-size too, kampung standard.

Looking too cute to leave behind. Meer-cats.

Peeking from the Rex (pots spoil the shot; need some cropping)

Seen at nursery somewhere in Gosnells. All I got from there: peat pots and peat plugs. 

At nearly A$15

Notice the Dragon Winged B.?

A Rex growing very well, one that I've seen before but not as robust as this one.

Awaiting the Fireworks

Close-up of plantlet growing from top of leaf petiole (03Dec-14)

Rooted leaf in water; took perhaps a month or just over, and then placed in perlite+compost mix in peat pot on 25 Nov.
Picture taken on 3 Dec.

B Fireworks in 2H August 2014, full of vibrant colour leaves

B Fireworks in 1H August 2014

Mail-Order from Queensland

So many with exotic sounding names I haven't come across before. This guy must be quite a prolific hybridiser. Well Queensland does have a remarkably active Queensland Begonia Society. Check out their resource rich website; it's full of exceedingly useful info for begonia enthusiasts contributed by members.

Screenshot them from merchant's ebay store. Just these 4 still on active sale.

Not alot of info about parentage except for B. Rondo Yorkes which is U400 & a hybrid of Sizemore. And it is not a Rex. Looks cane-like but I suppose it isn't a cane either.