Begonia luxurians

Top Tips & Info

• Provide a sunny place with little to no sunshine all year.
• Maintain an equal moisture level in the soil, allowing the top third to dry out between hydrations. 
• Droughts should be avoided since they increase the likelihood of yellowed or browned leaves and poor development.
• Fertilize with a ‘Houseplant’ labelled feed every four weeks in the spring and summer and every six weeks in the winter.
• Pink blooms will bloom abundantly beginning in the summer and can persist for up to six weeks. During this time, replace the ‘Houseplant’ feed with a potassium-rich product to help the blooms last longer. ‘Tomato’ cuisine is a great example.
• Repot every three years in the spring with ‘Houseplant’ labelled compost. Water the plant at least 24 hours ahead of time to avoid harming the root hairs. (This is referred to as transplant shock.)

Location & Light

Throughout the year, provide a bright atmosphere with an hour or two of off-peak sunshine. Due to the slower rates of photosynthesis, locations that are excessively dark increase the likelihood of mould growing on the soil and root rot (water uptake in the roots). This plant thrives in a semi-shaded conservatory or within two metres of north, east, or west-facing window.

Water

Although this Begonia can tolerate short-term droughts, it’s recommended to hydrate the soil after the top third of the plant dries up, lowering this somewhat in the fall and winter. Also, use lukewarm water during watering to avoid injuring their delicate roots from the rapid temperature shift – if it’s too cold for your teeth, it’ll be the same for the plant! Stunted growth, crispy brown spots developing on the leaves, yellow older leaves, and wilting are all indications of under-watering. Due to Begonia’s requirement for consistent moisture, dryness is a typical problem exacerbated by excessive light or heat. Overwatering signs include mouldy soil, yellowing lower leaves, brown, yellow, or black leaf blotches, wilting, and rotting stems/roots. Although you will need to handle under-watering, too dark areas may also produce soil-borne illnesses such as root rot if maintained too damp.

Fertilizer

Improve soil fertility while the plant is actively developing by scraping some compost into two soil without disturbing the plant’s roots. Then, every once a month, feed the plant a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer. For Growing, diluted at a rate of 1 teaspoon/litre of water.

Humidity

The average room humidity is more than adequate to keep this plant happy. However, because of the increased risk of browning leaf tips, never place it within a few yards of an active radiator. Instead, create a humidity tray for individuals who tend to under-water to offer a moist atmosphere and slow the rate of soil drying. Hose the foliage down from time to time to keep the leaves hydrated and the dust levels low.