Begonia cleopatra: An ideal plant to decorate any patio

plant full of small pink flowers

Identify the Cleopatra begonia or as it is also known, Hybrid begonia, it is relatively easy. Just seeing the size of its leaves and the color it has is enough to know that it is this species. However, not everyone has the level of knowledge necessary to know whether or not it is a begonia.

For this reason, we will tell you everything you need to know about this species, so that you can know what and how it is and if it is possible to have it in your gardenpatio, decorating garages, paths, etc., so be sure to read the entire article to the end.

Origin of the Cleopatra begonia

potted begonia plant

Do not be confused by the name cleopatra and think that it is a plant whose origin lies in Egypt, because it is not like that, but rather it is a species that is widely found in tropical and subtropical areas.

This is why it can be seen both in the American continent, as well as in Asia and Africa. Even and to be more exact, the plant was known in the middle of the XNUMXth century in Europe.

It was thanks to the botanist Charles Plumierthat the plant has the current name in honor of the governor of Santo Domingo (what is now Haiti), whose colonization by the French was in full swing.

A curious fact is that this plant has 1500 different species and currently little more than 10 thousand hybrids are known that have been made with the originals. So it is very likely that you will find Cleopatra begonia in different designs and / or colors.

Plant characteristics

  • It is a rhizomatous plant whose height is between 20-30 cm.
  • Its leaves tend to be webbed in shape, with irregular lobes.
  • Its leaves have a light green color and variations in its brown hues.
  • The patterns of each leaf and each plant are completely different.
  • Compared to its leaves, begonia flowers are small and pink in color.
  • The time that begonia tends to bloom is during the summer. Although its flowering will depend on its location.
  • So if you are indoors, its flowering will vary a lot unlike having it in an open place where the sun shines indirectly. That is, always have it in the shade.
  • The difficulty to cultivate them is very low. Only you need to have a fairly fertile soil or land and with enough substrate with peat so that it can grow.
  • It has the ability to live and adapt perfectly to areas and places with very little sunlight.
  • It is a plant that prefers places where there is humidity.
  • It is very sensitive to temperatures that are below 12 ° C.
  • In case of using fertilizers and / or fertilizers, just use 2 to 3 grams dissolved in water during the spring.

Care

Temperature

As mentioned before in the features, it can withstand a temperature of up to 12 ° C.and if you want to have the plant indoors, it has to be well lit. In case of having it outdoors, they must be placed in places where the sun does not affect them directly.

Water and humidity of the environment

pink flowers of a begonia

The water that will be used to irrigate the plant has to be free of lime and not have traces of chlorine. If you are not very sure if the water contains these elements, just take water in a container and let it rest for a couple of days, or you can use rainwater to hydrate them.

Regarding the watering of the plant, You only have to do it when the soil of the plant is dry or does not feel wet to the touch. Of course, avoid as much as possible having to wet its leaves. Moistening the soil and letting the steam rise will be enough to give life to the plant.

Pruning and maintenance

The advantage of the Cleopatra begonia is that it does not require pruning every so often. The only thing necessary to keep it attractive is remove those leaves that have withered or damaged. With this you have enough to know this plant and know how to keep it and where.

Begonia cleopatra: An ideal plant to decorate any patio

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