11/11/2022
Black Friday (it’s now Saturday I know haha) sale!
$30.00 each or two for $50.00. Sale will be good until 5:00pm December 1st, 2022.
**I’ve also learned that this species can tolerate lower humidity (60-70%) if kept watered, but best to keep near a humidifier. I have multiple plants growing in my plant room outside of a terrarium.**
For sale:
Begonia variabilis - Well established in 4” pots.
$50.00 each. Pick up in Dartmouth,NS. Shipping Canada wide at buyers expense.
Care:
Potting media: Young plants are potting in a free draining mixture of potting soil, perlite, bark chips and akadama, turface, or leca. Important qualities are a free draining, airy mix, that is still moisture retentive. Soil should never fully dry out.
Watering/fertilizing: I use a slow release fertilizer (typically osmocote) only refreshing when I repot my plants (every 4-6 months). If plants are showing signs of nutritional deficiency I water with a weak kelp liquid feed then repot soon after. Plants grown in pots are typically watered every week, or two depend on humidity and heat. Do not allow soil to go bone dry, or remain constantly wet/boggy. Variabilis has not seemed to be bothered by tap water in my experience. Depending on PH of potting mix/water a small amount of granular lime may benefit plants.
Temperature: Low of 18C through a high of 26C. I have had my mother plant warmer and cooler briefly without any ill effects but I would suspect prolonged exposure beyond this range would cause stress/encourage disease. Excessive heat (above 28C) can kill plants quickly.
Humidity: Mother plants grows vigorously at 80-100% humidity with minimal airflow. Plants for sale experience daily increases in humidity through that range after misting, but humidity in their current terrarium is usually around 60%. I have not tried this plant as houseplant. May do alright if grown near a humidifier. It will certainly thrive in a terrarium, cabinet, dome, etc. In closed environments just ensure water does not sit on leaves as these plants
Other notes:
Variabilis is a tuberous begonia species however has not behaved liked other tuberous species I grow. If happy, they seem to continue growing without dormancy. Plants may go dormant in the event of decreased humidity, watering, or photoperiods.
I may also be interested in trade for rarer Hoya, Begonia, terrarium plants, orchids, Philodendron lupinum, smaller bromeliad species, and certain dart frogs.
