MEMBER NAME: Tim Jemmott
London UK / DATE: 14 July 2021

SPECIES NAME: Begonia pringlei S. Watson 1891

Begonia pringlei is endemic to Mexico. The plant description states that it is from the north east of Mexico (San Luis Potosí). It is a small plant with a rhizomatous habit. It has small leaves lobed leaves which are white-apple green in colour. The leaves have a felt like appearance/texture. Like many plants in the Begonia section Gireoudia the leaves and petioles are covered with hairs [trichomes]. This may suggest this plant will tolerate brighter drier positions than might usually be expected for a Begonia. Begonia pringlei is rare in cultivation, it has one synonym B. krassiantha. The Clayton Kelly Seed Fund offered seed of this plant in April 1970. There are no recorded hybrids of Begonia pringlei. I grew this plant from seed obtained from AFABEGO in 2016. I have subsequently propagated it by petiole and rhizome cuttings. It grows well in a pot or as a an epiphyte on a moss pole.

[1] LIGHTING:

I am growing this plant in a bright position close to the glass on the south aspect of a west facing Greenhouse but shaded from direct sun. I also have a small piece of B. pringlei growing as an epiphyte on a moss pole.

[2] GROWING MEDIUM:

I am using the Glasgow potting mix as recommended by Tebbitt in his book: Begonias 2005. Sphagnum peat/Grit/bark/a little slow-release fertilizer 7:2:1

 

B. pringlei trichomes| Photo by Tim Jemmott

B. pringlei | Photo by Tim Jemmott

B. pringlei | Photo by Tim Jemmott

[3] FERTILIZER, FREQUENCY OF FEEDING:

A little slow-release fertilizer in the growing mix.

[4] WATERING:

Keep humidity high to minimize watering. In May it requires a dry period in late winter to encourage flowering.

[5] HUMIDITY:

Greenhouse 60-70% usually.

[6] PEST AND DISEASES, TREATMENTS:

None.

[7] SETTING SEEDS AND GROWING SEEDS:

Seed was germinated under fluorescent light. The lights were controlled on a timer, on for 14 hours a day. Although this plant is now 5 years old it has never flowered. My plan is to give the plant a dry period in late winter in the hope that this will encourage flowering.

[8] VEGETATIVE PROPAGATION:

Easily propagated by petiole or rhizome cuttings.

 

B. pringlei | Photo by Tim Jemmott

B. pringlei | Photo by Tim Jemmott

B. pringlei | Photo by Tim Jemmott

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