Begonia Species, Palm-leaf Begonia, Shrub Begonia

I grow this outdoors here in Berkeley, CA. I just had to cut the jasmine polyanthum out of it and almost needed a pruning ladder. I love ...Read Morethe jasmine but not in my jungle garden. Slow growing for a begonia but major stems will last for years. May need staking. Regular water — its leaves will wilt when is feels dry. I use it as the indicator plant for watering my jungle garden. Slow release fertilizer several times a year and top dressing keep it going; I use leaf mold but you have to make your own. Grape compost also quite good.

Ive honestly had OK luck growing this plant but it seems to be finiky at times. I will have a tall plant with many leaves and suddenly th...Read Moree leaves fall off and I'm stuck with a tall stem with leaves on the top of the plant only. I grow many varieties of begonia and with the exception of this one, darthvaderiana, cholorsticta Red Form and maybe a couple others i have excellent luck. They are in a greenhouse type setting with lots of light variation and humidity.

I have been growing as a house plant. I got a start from a friend who has a larger plant and puts it outside during the summer only.
...Read More/>
I was at Woodland Park Zoo (in Seattle) over the weekend and saw it growing outdoors in two locations near the rainforest exhibit. I am not sure if it is grown there year-round, and if any protection is provided. I will certainly check back during the winter and see if it survives.

I would love to grow it outside too. I love this plant, it gets odd, crazy looking stems (bent, even in circles).

I've been growing this species out of doors here in the UK. The winter has been very mild so far and the plant is growing under the shad...Read Moree of an evergreen tree (Cornus capitata). That said it is continuing to grow well had has flowered for much of the winter. Currently the plant is just over 2m. (6'6") high and unless we have a seriously cold spell, I fully expect it to reach 2.5 or even 3m. this year. As a foliage plant, it is magnificent with dark glossy leaves to over 30cms across, which lend a very luxuriant, tropical effect to the border. I cannot recommend it highly enough. Grow it in shade for the best effect - it will tolerate sun very well, but the leaves on exposed plants tend to be smaller and yellowish green.