Regel 1852
Mexico, Guatemala
Section Gireoudia
Discovered in Mexico in 1852, this superb species has always been very popular with enthusiasts and collectors, thanks to its unusual habit and its foliage, which looks more like a schefflera than a begonia.
Appearance
The rhizomes are upright, very succulent, and grow spectacularly into more or less contorted shapes. The leaves are large and made up of five glossy green leaflets. Lovely porcelain-pink flowers at the end of winter.
Culture
The finest specimens are grown in a greenhouse or conservatory. Success indoors requires a few precautions and some space, as the plant takes up a lot of room. This begonia needs a very bright position, with a few hours of gentle sun a day, and a temperature of 18–20°C all year round. Below that, growth slows, sometimes with a marked dormancy and leaf drop, and the plant is then hard to keep. Water regularly but not excessively. Give organic fertiliser in early spring and during the summer. This species is not very prone to powdery mildew.
Propagation
Several techniques can be used to propagate this species, such as sowing seed, leafy rhizome cuttings or leaf cuttings with petiole; the best time is spring and very early summer. Pot the young plants into a rich, porous substrate.
