ofsmallthings

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 an 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 […]

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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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Marcgravia aff. umbellata

September 22, 2019 by ofsmallthings

This is another NOID Marcgravia out of Ecuador, that resembles M. umbellata. It is one of the most strikingly patterned aff. umbellatas that I have seen, and it seems to be an easy keeper so far. The new grown comes out more yellow and darkens with age.

Categories: Blog, Plant Photo Library • Tags: aff umbellata, Ecuador, Marcgravia, Shingler, South America, umbellata

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Trade List

August 31, 2019 by ofsmallthings

The following list of plants are ones that I am searching for. Many are not available in cultivation that I’m aware of so I realize many of these are a stretch. If you have any of these species and are interested in trading, please get in touch! Begonias (named species) Begonia abdullahpieei (Peninsular Malaysia) Begonia aequilateralis (Peninsular Malaysia) Begonia annulata (India) Begonia apiensis (Borneo) Begonia aridicaulis Begonia bosuangiana (Borneo) Begonia burkilli (unusual forms) Begonia chingipengii Begonia chlorosticta ‘black’ (Borneo) Begonia […]

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Lemmaphyllum microphyllum

August 20, 2019 by ofsmallthings

Lemmaphyllum microphyllum is a widespread species, occurring throughout China, Korea, India, Japan, the Philippines, and Asiatic Islands. It is a wonderful epiphytic fern, whose fronds only reach about .5 inch. Fertile fronds will reach about 2″, but are very narrow. It especially loves to grow on treefern, but cork also works well. It will grow in a pot so long as the substrate is well drained. Like many small fern species, it is slow growing (but not difficult).

Categories: Blog, Plant Photo Library • Tags: asia, asiatic islands, china, fern, japan, korea, lemmaphyllum, microphyllum, phillipines

Begonia bullatifolia

August 20, 2019 by ofsmallthings

Begonia bullatifolia was discovered in 2009 in Brazil. It has some of the most dramatically corrugated leaves of any Begonia species and seems all the more dramatic for its diminutive size. Leaves stay around an inch in diameter, and the entire plant stays under 6″. When viewed from the underside, the leaves have a distinctive red venation that is hardly visible when viewing the plant from above. For this reason, I enjoy growing it in a high window, as it […]

Categories: Blog, Plant Photo Library • Tags: begonia, brazil, bullate, bullatifolia, small, South America

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Marcgravia aff. coriacae ‘Melon’

August 20, 2019 by ofsmallthings

This Marcgravia is very rare, and has only become recently available in the hobby. It came labeled as aff. coriacae ‘Melon’ and is from Ecuador. So far it has been one of the slowest species to grow. The color is an exceptional pink, with slightly green edges. The leaf is a beautiful oval shape, and very small. It resembles the one called ‘Melon’, also out of Ecuador. It is possible they are the same but I do not believe they […]

Categories: Blog, Plant Photo Library • Tags: aff., coriacae, Ecuador, Marcgravia, melon, South America

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In Search

of Small Things

Author Archives: ofsmallthings

Begonia tropaeolifolia

Begonia sp. Julau

Begonia sp. Konmei

Selaginella sp. China import

Marcgravia aff. umbellata

Trade List

Lemmaphyllum microphyllum

Begonia bullatifolia

Marcgravia aff. coriacae ‘Melon’