MEMBER NAME: Tim Jemmott
London UK / DATE: 18 July 2021
SPECIES NAME: Begonia hydrocotylifolia Otto ex W. J. Hooker 1842
B. hydrocotylifolia is a small rhizomatous Begonia endemic to Mexico, where it grows in wet forest. It has small, fleshy, shiny dark green leaves on the top surface. The leaves are darker over the veins giving a variegated appearance. The under surface of the leaves are maroon in colour. It has pink flower. Its common name is the pennywort Begonia. It was also one of the first begonias to be hybridized being crossed with B. manicata to produce B. erythrophylla in 1845. My plant was raised from seed obtained from the ABS seed fund 2013.
[1] LIGHTING:
In a shaded spot in a west facing glasshouse. Extra shading in the summer with shade cloth.
[2] GROWING MEDIUM:
I use the Glasgow potting medium as described by Tebbitt in his book Begonias 2005. Sphagnum peat/Grit/bark/a little slow-release fertilizer 7:2:1 3]
B. hydrocotylifolia | Photo by Tim Jemmott
[3] FERTILIZER, FREQUENCY OF FEEDING:
A little slow-release fertilizer in the growing mix.
[4] WATERING:
High humidity and minimal watering.
[5] HUMIDITY:
Glass house 60 – 70% humidity.
[6] PEST AND DISEASES, TREATMENTS:
None
[7] SETTING SEEDS AND GROWING SEEDS:
Seed was germinated under fluorescent lights. The lights were controlled on a timer, on for 14 hours a day.
[8] VEGETATIVE PROPAGATION:
Easily propagated by petiole or rhizome cuttings.
B. hydrocotylifolia | Photo by Tim Jemmott
B. hydrocotylifolia | Photo by Tim Jemmott
