The “castor-oil-plant-leaved” begonia is one of the oldest hybrids. Raised in England around 1847 by A. Dietrich by crossing Begonia heracleifolia x Begonia peponifolia (B. barkeri), it will easily fill a conservatory or a bright room.
Appearance
A short, thick rhizome bears large leaves – never very many – that are pubescent and deeply cut, swaying gently at the end of long, fleshy petioles, which are also hairy. In spring, large inflorescences a metre or more long unfold. The pink flowers then follow one another without a break for several months.
Culture
This hybrid is fairly easy, provided you give it bright light but never direct sun, space – it can reach more than a metre across – and food. If it does not get enough light, the petioles may stretch and need staking. Finally, regularly remove fallen flowers from the leaves: in cool temperatures or high humidity they can cause necrosis.
Propagation
This begonia is fairly easy to propagate from leaf cuttings.
