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Begonia beleaf “Indian Summer”, also known as Begonia beleaf, is a highly decorative and popular houseplant with striking pink-red foliage with a unique shape and pattern.
Latin name
Begonia beleaf “Indian Summer”
Pronunciation
(“be-GO-nee-ah”)
Common name
Begonia beleaf
Origin
Begonias are native to tropical and sub-tropical climate zones of South America, Africa and Asia
Begonias are a vast group of plants of nearly 2,000 species that hybridize freely, making them very difficult to classify. Species that originate on different continents, and that are relatively distantly related are even able to hybridize, and this feature has led to the development of very many interesting decorative plant varieties.
Many ornamental houseplants are often classified as Begonia rex, although they are often hybrids of different species and are put into the “Rex group”. Begonia produce one of the smallest types of seeds in the world, and often have a succulent stem.
Toxic to pets if ingested. It contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals that can cause oral irritation, drooling, vomiting and difficulty swallowing.
caring for your plant
Light
Medium-low to medium-high light. Avoid direct sunlight.
Watering
The soil should be kept moist, but not wet.
Pruning
The plant can be cut to shape to maintain a pleasant form. Stem cuttings can be taken to grow new plants.
Feeding
Add a dilute solution of fertilizer to the water at every watering.
pest & diseases
Mealybugs and other sap-feeding pests can be found on Begonias, and two-spotted spider mite may be troublesome in dry atmospheres. Physical removal of the pests by cleaning with a damp cloth or paper towel should be effective.
Our plants are grown in Ecoponic, an alternative to soil. Officially known as a vulkaponic substrate, it replaces traditional compost with a clean, mineral-based medium that helps protect peatlands.
According to the IUCN UK Peatland Programme, “A loss of only 5% of UK peatland carbon would be equal to the UK’s annual greenhouse gas emissions.” As well as storing carbon, the natural wetlands where peat is found are critical to the survival of plants and wildlife. Ecoponic also improves plant health and uses water more efficiently.
Find out more about Ecoponic here.
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