In Search

Peperomia sp. Santo Domingo [corrugated]

December 8, 2019 by ofsmallthings

This is an exceptional Peperomia is from Santo Domingo in NW Ecuador. It is perhaps the most corrugated species I have observed, and it only gets nicer with age. It is slower growing but not difficult to grow and is rosette-forming. The foliage remains a dark green, with slight silvery tints along the largest corrugations and the leaf edges.

Categories: Blog, Plant Photo Library • Tags: corrugated, Ecuador, Peperomia, rosette, santo domingo, silver, South America

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It’s that time of year!

December 7, 2019 by ofsmallthings

For the first time ever I am starting to enjoy the flowers as much as the foliage on these plants. The blooms below are all from plants that have bloomed this fall. Mostly Begonias, but also some orchids, Melastomes, and Gesneriads as well. The large number of Begonia blooms seem to have been triggered by a recent repotting, as many species that have never flowered for me quickly formed inflorescences within 6 weeks. (Yes, they are all labeled!)

Categories: Blog, Cultivation, Terrarium • Tags: blooms, fall, flowers

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Begonia versicolor

November 8, 2019 by ofsmallthings

If you are looking for a Begonia species that has it all for terrarium culture, this is an excellent choice. It is a small growing, compact species that is easy to keep and propagate, and has beautiful foliage (even the backsides of the leaves are something to marval at). It is a Rhizomatous species native to Central China. “Leslie Woodriff called it the “Fairy Carpet” begonia because of the velvety appearance of its dark green leaves, frosted with silver and […]

Categories: Blog, Plant Photo Library • Tags: begonia, china, rhizomatous, versicolor

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Hyperolius fusciventris ‘burtoni’

October 20, 2019 by ofsmallthings

Hyperolius fusciventris ranges throughout Middle and West Africa, and occurs and Sierre Leone, Guinea, Liberia, the Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, and Cameroon. The ‘burtoni’ type occurs from Ghana to Nigeria. I got these frogs in 2013 or so, for a sad $7 each from an importer. They arrived in the dead of winter to me in Rochester NY, and one was DOA. Speaking to the importer prior that week, they mentioned they had just gotten them in. So, […]

Categories: Blog, Frogs • Tags: africa, cameroon, reed frog, treefrog

Begonia lugonis

October 19, 2019 by ofsmallthings

This beautiful Begonia is from Ecuador, and is a IUCN threatened species. For me it has reached about 8″ tall, but it seems possible it could get taller with better care. I have mine growing in 100% clay, which it is liking overall, but sometimes goes through melting spells when it gets too large and the leaves come in contact with the surrounding plants and wood features of the terrarium. It does not like standing water on its leaves and […]

Categories: Blog, Plant Photo Library • Tags: begonia, lugonis

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Begonia tropaeolifolia

October 15, 2019 by ofsmallthings

This is a plant I’ve tried importing half a dozen times, and never had much success with. Even though leaves fall off in transit, an intact stem is enough to grow Gobenias back if conditions are good. There are many ‘clones’ of tropaeolifolia, some of which could be different species, but it is hard to know for sure. The nicest colony of this species I’ve ever seen was at an orchid growers greenhouse, and it sat, neglected, on a giant […]

Categories: Blog, Plant Photo Library • Tags: begoia, Gobenia

Begonia sp. Julau

September 29, 2019 by ofsmallthings

This is a Begonia collected in Jalau, a small town in Sarawak (Borneo). It has been making the rounds in Asia for the past year or two but has not been sold in number in the United States. It is a taller species that is prone to falling over when it reaches a certain height (the magic number for my largest plant is 14″), with only a thin stem to support the top-heavy plant. I’ve only had it about six […]

Categories: Blog, Plant Photo Library • Tags: asia, begonia, julau

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Begonia sp. Konmei

September 28, 2019 by ofsmallthings

This Begonia came as a generous extra from Begonia Club in Japan, and came labeled as ‘Konmei China’. I can’t seem to find any information about it, and when searching for Komnei online, the only locality I am seeing for Konmei is in Paupua NG. A bit strange! There is some documentation of Konmei cuisine in Yunnan province, so perhaps this is the one, although the only two references are in regards to cuisine so I am still unsure if […]

Categories: Blog

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Selaginella sp. China import

September 26, 2019 by ofsmallthings

This beautiful bronzey Selaginella came in on an import from China. It was a hitchhiker on an Ardisia species, so I don’t have any info on it. It’s very delicate looking and has slender foliage. The tips have a nice orangey hint to them.

Categories: Blog, Plant Photo Library • Tags: bronze, china, import, noid, orange, Selaginella

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