Begonia Thelmae is a magnificent trailing plant popular for indoor decoration. This evergreen Brazilian native plant has small oval leaves of beautiful dark or bronzy green shade which smoothly blends in the lighter shade of green while coming towards the center. The leaves have bronzy edges and dark green veins and red reverse.
The surprising feature about this plant is that it blooms almost constantly throughout the year with small white flowers. You can make good terrariums and hanging baskets with this low-maintenance plant. Let’s share more facts about the Begonia thelmae plant along with its care and propagation.
Begonia Thelmae Classification
The scientific classification is given below:
Family: Begoniaceae.
Genus: Begonia.
Specie: B.thelmae.
Synonym: Begonia Withlacoochee.
Genus Begonia
Begonia is one of the largest genera of flowering plants with more than 1,800 species of perennial flowering plants. These are found in America, Africa, and South Asia and native to humid tropical and subtropical climates. This genus has both indoor and outdoor plants.
Some species are indoor ornamental plants and prefer cool temperatures. On the other hand, some species prefer outdoor species especially in summer requiring bright light for their petal-less flowers. The majority of the plants are unisexual with male and female plant species. Furthermore, these are extensively hybridized for their beautiful flowers.
Common Names of The Plant
It is commonly known as trailing Begonia or simply Begonia.
Begonia Thelmae Features
We are sharing some important features of the plant:
Growth Habit:
- This plant can follow both, terrestrial or epiphytic growing habits.
- Its structure can be cascading or climbing depending upon the way it is planted. This is a good plant for indoor decorations and terrariums. You can add support in the pot to make it an epiphytic climber. Furthermore, it makes great hanging baskets due to its natural growing pattern of growing slightly in a downwards direction.
Plant height and Structure:
- The height of an average plant is around 2 to 12 inches.
- The leaves of the plant are much smaller than other members of the genus. An average leaf is 2 inches long and an inch wide.
- Flowers are showy, white to pinkish-white in color, and about an inch long.
- The evergreen Thelmae plant blossoms in all four seasons. Additionally, a branch bears flowers many times.
How To Care For Begonia Thelmae
In this section, we are sharing the basic requirements of the plant.
Water Requirements:
The plant needs an average to a good amount of water. You may water thrice a week in summer and once a week in the winter.
Sunlight Requirements:
The plant needs partial sun to bright indirect light. Avoid keeping it indirect light as it will burn the plant. Are you thinking about the best place to put your B.Thelmae plant? A north-facing window would be a good place to put your Thelmae plant. Once the flowering starts, ample light is essential for the plant.
It does great in artificial light as well. The light source should be at least 20 to 40 cm above the plant body.
Temperature Requirements:
The optimum temperature range for the plant is around 15° C during the night and around 20°C during the day. Temperature above 30°C is not bearable for the plant.
Humidity Requirement:
Begonias prefer a humid atmosphere. A humidity range of 60-80% is optimal during the day. Alternatively, 80-100% humidity is suitable for the night.
You can mist the plant occasionally. However, don’t over-wet the plant, as it will lead to plant issues like fungus and rotting.
Soil and Substrate Requirements:
The plant needs a good draining substrate. It dwells well in soil. A normal peat mix and ordinary house plant mix also show good results.
The acidity of the soil or substrate should be between 6.1 to 7.5 ( mildly acidic to neutral)
Fertilizer Requirements:
Begonias enjoy regular fertilizing. Twice to thrice a month is a good frequency. As this plant blooms all the year, so fertilizer shows good effects on the health of the plant. An ordinary NPK fertilizer can do the work.
Repotting Requirement:
The plant likes repotting once in two years. Spring is the Ideal season for repotting a Begonia plant.
Pruning Requirement:
This is a vigorously growing plant. Experts advise pruning once in a while to enhance health and maintain appearance.
(Pruning is cutting dead or overgrown leaves and branches of a plant. This helps to reduce the spread, maintain a neat look, and enhance the growth of the plant.)
Growth Zone:
THE ideal USDA growth zone is 10 to 11.
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7° C.
USDA Zone 11: Above 4.5° C.
Air Purification
This plant has the ability to purify the air. Thus, it is surely a good decorative plant for your living room. Isn’t it?
Begonia Thelmae Propagation
The Begonia Thelmae plant is easy to propagate and can be propagated by seeds and by stem cuttings.
For getting the seeds, let the seedheads get dry on the plant. Now remove them and collect the seeds. Seeds are sown in winter in vented containers. However, seed propagation is a time taking process. Thus, stem cutting is a common method for propagation. Important steps for getting baby plants from stem cuttings are as under:
- Take a sharp knife and snip a few healthy leaves from a wee grown adult Begonia. Make sure you leave ½” or 1” of the petiole attached to the leaf.
(Petiole is the stalk that holds the leaf on the stem). - In case you need a large number of plants, just turn the leaves upside down. Now slice the leaves into wedges with a sharp razor. Make sure you keep the vein in every part of the leaf.
- Now stick the leaves or the wedges in the substrate. The substrate should be a well-draining, sterile potting mix. Perlite, peat moss, and vermiculite mixed in equal proportions prove to be a good growing medium.
- Cover the tray with a plastic sheet and put the pot in a warm area with ample indirect sunlight. Mildly mist the soil. Make sure you don’t make them wet as water staying on them could invite fungus and rot.
Water Propagation:
You can propagate the B.Thelmae plant in water as well. Simply take some water in a glass or an empty baby food jar. Dip two to three leaves attached with petioles in the water, keeping the leaf and at least 1 inch of the petiole above the water surface. Just keep the jar in a warm and well-lit area.
Roots will develop in 3 to 4 weeks.
Timeline
We are sharing an estimated timeline of the growth pattern of the vigorous growing plant. However, the growing frequency of plants depends upon many factors including the soil type, weather, light, and humidity. Thus, make sure you keep the plant under observation and adjust the requirements accordingly.
- Day 1: Planting a stem cutting or leaf wedge in the growing medium. Cover the pot with a plastic sheet and place it in slightly warm and ample indirect light.
- Day 3 – Day 20: In water, the cutting does not need any further care at this step. However, in the case of soil propagation of the cuttings you need to keep the soil slightly moist.
- Day 20 – Day 50: Roots formation is started by about the 21st day (3rd week). Keep the baby plants under observation. Keep misting the soil according to the requirement.
- Day 50: in case of water propagation, you can now transfer the tiny plantlets in the containers or the garden soil.
- Day 50 – Day 90: Roots and shoots will be developed up till now. Keep misting thrice a week.
- Day 90 – Day 170: The plant is growing and its height and strength should be enhancing. The watering frequency of soil-plant can be twice or thrice a week at this stage. This should be according to the soil condition.
- Day 170 – Day 190: The plant does not need much attention now. Just provide the basic requirements of light, temperature, and water. You can add a mild quantity of suitable fertilizer once a month at this stage. Don’t add high amounts, as it may destroy the young plants. By this stage, you may decrease your attention. Just water twice or thrice a week (or according to the soil and weather conditions) and keep the plant in good indirect light. New Begonia Thelmae plants are ready for you. However, it is always better to have a monthly or bimonthly check on the plant.
Conclusion
Begonia thelmae is a small, vigorously growing, evergreen flowering plant. It is popular for its tiny bronzy green leaves with a light green center and dark green veins. Trailing Begonia blooms almost throughout the year with small white flowers.
This is a low-maintenance plant and can grow both as a terrestrial or epiphyte plant. It forms a good ornamental plant for your living room and terrariums. It grows cascading in a slightly downwards direction and makes great hanging baskets. Additionally, it has air purifying abilities.
