This hybrid was created in 1999 by Worley by crossing Begonia luxurians and Begonia gehrtii. It is a very beautiful plant, fairly easy to grow, which gets very large in a humid greenhouse or conservatory (up to 2 m), perhaps a little slower and more difficult indoors.
Give it a spot away from traffic where it will not get knocked, as its leaves are very fragile. They can be up to 60 cm long and 40 cm wide. Dark, lobed and puckered, they need plenty of light, but scorch if the air is too dry. Beware of direct sun – though it can tolerate it if put outside in summer (after acclimatisation).
Culture
Use a light substrate that must never become compacted. The collar must stay very airy and, above all, must not be damaged. Feed it regularly, but be very careful not to overwater. Let it dry out well and scratch the surface if necessary to aerate and loosen it. On the other hand, avoid taking too many cuttings or pinching it like a cane-like begonia, so as not to limit its upward growth. In good conditions it branches naturally from the base.
Propagation
Stem cuttings are a little difficult and slow to root, but a light dose of rooting hormone will help.
