Begonia bogneri – Indoor Plants

Begonia bogneri is one of the most attractive, short-stemmed tuberous perennial plants. It has a pink to yellowish stem that grows up to 1.5 inches tall and forms a weekly tuberous base, tuft-forming. The stringy leaves are around 2 mm wide and 15 cm long, like green grass and margins with small irregularly spaced spicules. Begonia bogneri has male and female flowers. The inflorescence is 6 inches tall with 1 or 2 male flowers and one female flower. The blossoms are pink and the male blossoms have 4 petals, while the female blossoms have 6 petals. The blossoms are usually produced in early and mid-summer.

Scientific Name: Begonia bogneri
Common Name: Begonia

How to grow and maintain Begonia bogneri:

Light:
It grows well in bright indirect sunlight originating from a south, east, or west window. It also thrives under fluorescent lights.

Soil:
It requires a well-drained, peat moss-based soil, such as African violet potting mix.

Water:
Water your plant regularly during the growing season and always keep the soil evenly moist but never allow your plant to sit in water. You can allow the top 1 inch of soil to dry out between each watering. During the winter months, reduce watering.

Temperature:
Begonia bogneri prefers an average room temperature of 65 – 75 degrees Fahrenheit / 18 – 24 degrees Celsius. Iron cross begonia is not cold-tolerant and can be harmed by temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit / 13 degrees Celsius.

Fertilizer:
Fertilize monthly with a 10-10-5 liquid compost diluted by half. Fertilize when the soil is already moist to avoid fertilizer burn. Do not feed your plant during the dormant period.

Propagation:
Begonia bogneri can be easily propagated by stem cuttings or leaf cuttings. Take three inches to stem cuttings with leaves in early summer and root them in a moist, sterile potting blend. Cover with plastic or a glass cloche to raise the humidity around it until new leaves form.

Pests and Diseases:
There is no serious pest or disease problems. Begonia bogneri is susceptible to attacks from spider mites, mealybugs, and aphids.