Pak Chong Scout

These were seen and admired at one of the nurseries lining the road between Khao Yai National Park and Pak Chong town. Nothing left that nursery that visit. And really, I was happy to leave them behind. I did ask if leaf cuttings could be purchased. When that was turned down, it was easy enough to walk away. Another consideration was that for that size, I preferred a native Thai species as opposed to commercial hybrids. That's a priority and objective henceforth.

OJ already has this one and I've been trying to grow it from leaves and rhizomes she's provided. B Popenoei is what it's called.

Known as B Black Fancy and other names. I haven't got this one. Had one that looked similar but came with a whorl.

Looks easy to grow, like B. Martin's Mystery.

Have to add the name

Two strains. Top: looks like B River Nile; Bottom: TBA

A variant of B. Chloroneura

Foreground: B. Chloroneura

B. Manaus in foreground

Collecting

Names of Begonia Foliage are compiled with helpful reference from Alvin's Journal at greengates.wordpress.com. Wonder how his collection is coming along. His last entry was in 2011.

From top: B.Shamus,  B.U400, B.Black Velvet (?)

From Top: B.Black Velvet(?), B.Corallina deLucerna, B.Tiger Kitten, B.Rex

Add caption

From Top: B.U400, B.Fairy(?), B.Tiger Kitten, B.Masoniana 'Iron Cross'

Unfortunately I'm not as comprehensive as I'd like to be given the limitations of the group picture compositions and the fact that I haven't found out all the names yet. Looking at the snaps, it's obvious that the arrangement and display of the pots need improving. It's a motley mix right now of plants surrounded by pots with leaf cuttings (under propagation) all cluttered together. I need a larger sheltered area quickly if I want to propagate.

And you know what. Begonias are finicky, fragile and temperamental,  prone to quick, sudden deterioration and death. I don't feel safe when it's a case of one-pot per begonia species. Hence, ongoing propagation is necessary to ensure their continued place in my collection. But truth be told, it hasn't been easy. Propagation takes effort, attention and lots of waiting time and hasn't often led to satisfying outcomes.

Hanging pots: B.Silver Jewel (inside) & B.Fairy(?) 

I'd wed a begonia

That's how fascinating I'm discovering the begonia family, Begoniaceae to be. And I'm referring only to the leaves; have not gone into more complex areas of flowers, cross-pollination.

It's caused my mum to exclaim in wonder, and for the very first time, how clever her 'old adult' child is. Just from seeing the plantlets grow out of a leaf petiole. Despite my best efforts explaining that's how some begonia plants propagate, she continues to insist. After all, I'm the only the person she knows who can simply stick a leaf into a pot and get new plants that way!

Way to go Begonia Rex! Really I couldn't ask for more.