Indoor plants make our home cozier, improve air quality and cheer up the mood. Plants take care of us, so we should take care of them. Let’s get acquainted with one of the most beautiful and unpretentious options for a houseplant – Begonia Corallina.
Begonia Corallina Varieties: Popular Angel Wing Begonia Types
There are several beautiful species of this gorgeous plant, among which you can choose a friend for yourself:
- “Begonia Medora” – this variety has small green leaves with spots and blooms with lush pink buds;
- “Fanny Moser”– one of the most popular varieties of begonia, which has dark, almost black leaves with bright spots;
- “Begonia Frosty” – rich green leaves with bright spots. Often grown for foliage, not flowers;
- “Pink Mink” – has deep green, almost black leaves with pale pink spots;
- “Begonia Lucerna” – is an indoor grower’s absolute favorite. It produces hanging clusters of delicate pink flowers; foliage is the traditional wing-shaped leaves with silver spots;
- “My special angel” – perfect for trailed hanging baskets. Classic dark green leaves with white drops and wonderful pink flowers reminiscent of sakura petals, like angel wing begonia.
You can also look for detailed information on other varieties of angel wing begonias, such as “Begonia Maculata”, “Begonia Tamaya”, “Polka Dot Begonia”, “Cracked Ice”, “Morocco”, “Torch Pink”, “Looking Glass”, “Sophia”, and “Lana”.
What Is Begonia Corallina? Understanding Angel Wing Begonia
Begonia Corallina or Angel Wing Begonia – is the best kind of begonia to grow in your home. This graceful indoor plant with glossy spotted leaves and luxurious flower clusters will delight every owner and decorate any room in which it is located.
This kind of begonia is pleasant not only for its appearance but also for its relatively unpretentious nature, which distinguishes it from other kinds. Therefore, you can purchase it even if you are a beginner in houseplant growing.
Dwarf varieties usually do not grow more than 12 inches wide, while large varieties can reach 36 inches tall and wide. The flowering of the begonias also varies, but usually occurs during winter or early spring, and the buds are pink, red, or white. By purchasing this plant for your home, you will not regret your choice!
In this article, we will tell you how to care for this beautiful plant so that it is healthy and delights you for many years!
Begonia Corallina Care Guide: Essential Tips for Healthy Growth
How to care for a begonia Corallina? This plant care is not picky at all, however, in order to achieve the best results in growing, it is important to remember these simple tips:
- WATER. Avoid over watering the plant, as this can provoke fungal diseases and root rot, or even lead to the death of the plant.
Water your Begonia regularly when 1 inch of soil in the pot is dry. To make sure it’s time to water, inspect the potting soil with your finger. During the period of winter and autumn, reduce watering, as the plant slows down vital processes.
- LIGHT. Begonias as tropical plants love light very much, but be careful not to place the plant in direct sunlight. Too much direct sunlight will cause the leaves of the plant to wilt. During the winter months, begonia will need a lot of filtered light. In summer and spring, begonia is best suited for bright diffused light.
If your house does not have a suitable sunny spot for the plant, consider installing an artificial plant lights source for your Begonia Corallina. When exposed to artificial light, 14-16 hours will be enough for the normal state of the plant.
- HUMIDITY. Even though begonia is a tropical plant, there is no need for high humidity for Begonia Corallina. The average indoor humidity level will be just right for your plant. Local moisture can be created for begonia by regularly watering it from a spray bottle with room temperature water.
Be careful with the sprayer! Excessive moisture on the leaves or soil moist can lead to fungal diseases and powdery mildew, harming your begonia and the other plants. If you live in a dry climate and the air in your house is always dry, consider placing a humidifier near your plant.
- TEMPERATURE. Begonia Corallina prefers average room temperatures of 65 – 75 °F (18 – 24 °C) year-round. In the period from spring to the end of summer, your plant is not threatened with hypothermia. Always make sure to protect your begonia from cold drafts.
- SOIL. The best soil option for the plant would be a light loose potting mix with peat moss. African violet mix would be perfect for this case. Homemade mixtures like sphagnum moss and perlite in the ratio of 2:3 also work well.
You can transplant your angel wing begonia once a year, in the spring, into a pot slightly larger than the previous one to allow the plant to grow and develop. Angel wing begonias have fibrous roots and grow best when slightly pot-bound.
How to Propagate Begonia Corallina: Stem Cutting Method
- REPRODUCTION. How do you propagate Begonia Corallina? The best way to propagate Begonia Corallina is by stem cuttings. In the season of the greatest activity of plant growth – in spring and summer, root stem cuttings in moist soil and follow the instruction:
- With clean, sharp garden shears, cut a piece of stem from a healthy section of the mother plant at a 45-degree angle;
- Remove leaves from the lower one-third of the cutting. Dip the cut end into a rooting hormone powder, tap, and remove any excess;
- Put the sprout in damp soil and press the soil at the base of the cutting to stabilize it.
Another great way to propagate your begonia is by holding it in water. Just dip a few inches of cutting in a jar of water after letting it stay for a night. This will evaporate the chlorine from the water. Make sure to change the water twice a week to avoid fungus and rotting.
Fertilizing Begonia Corallina for Optimal Growth
- FERTILIZING. Fertilize Begonia Corallina should be
