How to ID your Begonia Type

How to ID your Begonia Type Learn your plant's unique growth requirements, & give it the exact care it needs to thrive! Cane / Angel Wing Stems: tall & upright Foliage: Asymmetrical, slanted "angel wing" leaves, often with silver spots or red undersides Care Essentials: Humidity: tolerates low to average room air. (40-50%) Watering: Let the top 1-2 inches or soil dry out Rex / King Foliage: Metallic patterns with vivid colours. Typically pink, red, silver and green Leaves grow from a shallow rhizome stem base Care Essentials: Humidity: thrives in medium-high humidity (55-70%) Pro tip: Avoid getting water on their leaves to prevent foliar rot Rhizomatous Stems: Thick, fleshy, trunk-like stems. That crawl across the top of the soil Foliage: Intricate patterns, spiral leaf bases & hairy margins Care Essentials: Humidity: 50-90% depending on exact type Soil & Pot: Snug pots with an extra airy, bark-rich potting mix Watering: Extremely sensitive to over-watering! Terrarium & Micro Species Foliage & stems: Delicate, thin leaf tissue & stems. Usually small and compact Care Essentials: Humidity: Strictly requires 85-100% inside domes, terrariums or greenhouses. They droop dramatically in ambient air within minutes! Golden Rules for ALL Begonias 1. Chunky, airy substrate Combine soil with perlite & orchid bark 2. Distilled or rainwater Many delicate & rare begonias are mineral-sensitive 3. Air flow is key Inside high humidity cabinets or terrariums, make sure they have access to adequate airflow 4. No cold water! Always water with room temp water to avoid chilling their delicate roots