begonia | In Search

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

Leave a comment

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

Leave a comment

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

Leave a comment

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

Leave a comment

Begonia sp. Kalmiantan

August 20, 2019 by ofsmallthings

This is a new Begonia species to the hobby, still unidentified, from Kalimantan in Borneo. Not much is known about its growth. I will update this page in the future when I have kept it for longer. For now, it’s mature size is a mystery.

Categories: Blog, Plant Photo Library • Tags: begonia, Borneo, kalimantan, mystery, new, noid, sabah, sarawak

Begonia sp. (aff. debaoensis)

August 20, 2019 by ofsmallthings

This Chinese species has minty-silver stripes on new growth that turn into mottled patterns as the leaves mature. It grows somewhat close to the substrate, rather compactly, and only gets about 5″.

Categories: Blog, Plant Photo Library • Tags: asia, asian, begonia, chinese, debaoensis, small

Leave a comment

Begonia ‘Buttercup’

August 20, 2019 by ofsmallthings

This beautiful little Begonia is well suited to any size terrarium, with leaves that reach no more than 3″, on stems only slightly longer (4″). The texture of the leaves is mildly corrugated. Flowers are bright yellow and occur in abundance on a mature plant. It is a hybrid created by Mike Kartuz using Begonia microsperma and Begonia prismatocarpa. The flowers, which bloom throughout the year,

Categories: Blog, Plant Photo Library • Tags: begonia, buttercup, kartuz, microsperma, mike kartuz, miniature, prismatocarpa, Terrarium

Leave a comment

Begonia amphioxus

August 20, 2019 by ofsmallthings

This cane-like Begonia derives its name from amphi, meaning two ways, and oxys, meaning sharp. It refers to the strange leaves being pointed at two ends. It is native to only two limestone hills in Sabah (Batu Punggul and Tinahas). Leaves are edged in a reddish-purple and covered in red dots which are subtly raised at the center. Mature leaves have a slightly undulated edge, but new leaves are more dramatically undulated with a yellow leaf underlying the red dots. […]

Categories: Blog, Plant Photo Library • Tags: amphioxus, begonia, Borneo, cane, large, medium, sabah, se asia

Leave a comment

Begonia quadrialata ssp. nimbaensis

August 10, 2019 by ofsmallthings

A dwarf Begonia from Western Africa, this rhizomatous species only grows to about 3-4 inches. It has striking red leaf venation that looks especially pretty with a cast of sunlight from behind. It’s a thick venation, bright red, against lime green leaves. The edges of the leaf are covered in small hairs and have micro-undulations. Flowers are a bright yellow. It can be slow to establish. The plant below is living in a terrarium for Heterixalus madagascariensis in 100% unfired infield […]

Categories: Blog, Plant Photo Library • Tags: africa, begonia, nimbaensis, quadrialata

Leave a comment

In Search

of Small Things

gallery Archives

Begonia versicolor

Begonia lugonis

Begonia sp. Julau

Begonia bullatifolia

Begonia sp. Kalmiantan

Begonia sp. (aff. debaoensis)

Begonia ‘Buttercup’

Begonia amphioxus

Begonia quadrialata ssp. nimbaensis