Begonia ferox

MEMBER NAME: In Search of Small Things, Pacific Northwest

SPECIES NAME: Begonia ferox

[1] SHADE, SEMI-SHADE, SUN, TERRARIUM, FLUORESCENT LIGHTS

I have grown this species only in terrarium conditions, under LED lights of 1800 lumens.

[2] TYPE OF GROWING MEDIUM USED

Happy Frog potting soil with about 1/3 perlite and 10% coco fiber, 10% turface.

[3] TYPE OF FERTILIZER AND FREQUENCY OF FEEDING

1/8-1/4 urea free orchid fertilizer applied once a month.

[4] MOISTURE REQUIREMENTS AND METHOD OF SUPPLYING APPROPRIATE AMOUNT OF WATER

Humidity is near 100% and ventilation is a small vent allowing for passive air exchange. It likes to dry out slightly between waterings, but never gets completely dry, or else it will wilt even in high humidity. B. ferox does not seem to like standing water on its leaves overnight but is more tolerant and more succulent than many species. For this reason, it’s best to water the substrate directly.

[5] PEST PROBLEMS AND HOW YOU TREATED THESE

No pests thus far, but leaves and stems are prone to rot if left damp for too long and once it sets in, is hard to stop. The stems undergo a strange visual phenomena that I’ve only seen in limestone growers where the plant’s tissue will split from the inside out, to splay the stem in many directions, like a peeled banana.

[6] NOTE YOUR EXPERIENCE OF SETTING SEEDS AND GROWING SEEDS OF YOUR SPECIES

None, even though I’ve grown this species for a few years it has never flowered sadly.

[7] NOTE YOUR EXPERIENCE OF VEGETATIVE PROPAGATION

This species propagates easily from whole leaves or leaf sections. It is best to have a petiole of .5-1 inch, as leaf sections are more prone to rot. Even immature leaves, without bullae, will germinate easily from leaf cuttings.