Begonia Goegoensis: Tips to Care for This Easy-to-Grow Houseplant

Begonia Goegoensis is a rare plant of the Begoniaceae family known for its distinctive green and bronze patterns on the foliage. It has rounded leaves and a striking red color with bold spider web veining making it a delight in any space.

In this detailed care guide, our experts list all the information you require to care for, grow, and propagate this attractive plant. If you want to include this begonia genus variety in your garden or home space, then this article is a must-read.

Begonia Goegoensis Care

Begonia Goegoensis is a sturdy plant and under the right growth conditions, it will display its hues and shades all through the year. Provide it with the perfect soil, temperature, light, and humidity similar to its native surroundings and you will have a gorgeous perennial beauty.

Read our expert tips below on what you need to provide the rhizomatous begonia with to keep it healthy and thriving. In this section, we cover each of the growth aspects in detail to help you give the plant the ideal environment.

Water Requirements

This rare begonia plant requires water once every three or four days. Preferably use ]aquarium, rainwater or distilled water to prevent mineral build-up in the layers of the soil.

The plant does not survive overwatering, so you will have to restrain yourself from overwatering it. To prevent soggy soil conditions, schedule watering only when you notice the top soil dry by at least an inch. 

Light Requirements

Your begonia plant requires bright yet diffused light to sustain its gorgeous foliage. Provide the plant with a minimum of four hours of partial morning light and you are surely going to see vibrant and stunning leaves. 

At the same time do not overexpose the plant to direct sunlight as this may scorch the foliage resulting in sunburn. If you are growing them as an indoor plant use fluorescent light around the bottom of the plant so that it will receive diffused and filtered light to sustain its vibrancy.

Soil Requirements

The ideal soil to grow this variety of begonia is a light and porous mix. Typically, you could use a mixture of one part of peat moss along with one part of perlite. Also, throw in some vermiculite to boost nutrients in the soil. 

Keep the soil well-draining that it permits the free outflow out of water. This will ensure that the water does not remain around the roots for a long time thereby preventing fungal diseases and root rot. Increase drainage by including wood chips, worm castings or any gravel to keep the soil porous.

Temperature Requirements

This variant of begonia grows best in warm temperatures so keep the plant in a range between 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius) to 75 degrees Fahrenheit (24 degrees Celsius). At lower temperatures or if exposed to cold drafts, temperature fluctuations, or chilly winds the plant tends to shed its leaves prematurely as a result of the stress. 

Thus, it is highly recommended that you move the plant indoors during winter and grow it under artificial grow lights which will provide it with both warmth and light. 

Humidity Requirements

This plant requires a high humidity level of around 70 percent to display its complete beauty, and vibrancy as well as to thrive. The best way to grow this plant is in a terrarium which will help it retain a lot of humidity and high moisture levels. 

If growing it in a terrarium is not possible, keep up the moisture level by grouping it with several plants or using a pebble tray filled with water below the pot. As the water evaporates it will bring in some moisture around the plant. If you are growing the plant indoors using a humidifier also helps increase the humidity levels.

Fertilizer Requirements

This begonia plant does well with a liquid organic formula. It is recommended you dilute the fertilizer to one-fourth of its strength and apply it a little away from the main stem to prevent fertilizer burn. The frequency with which you add fertilizer should be once every two or three weeks, ideally during the growing season of the plant.

Additional nourishment through fertilizers will harness the hues of the foliage and help it to retain the bronze and green quilted pattern.

Pruning 

Prune begonias up to three inches to help it to revitalize growth. The right time to prune the plant is in the months of autumn as this will help the plant conserve some energy before the approaching winter months and also aid it to grow back the next season. 

Always use sterile pruning shears or sharp scissors before you prune any section. Perennial begonias need more frequent pruning to keep their shape and growth. If your begonia gets bushy cut off a third of its stem and pinch hold the leaves so that new stems can sprout in their place.

Propagation

Propagate the plant easily by using the process of rhizome division or via cuttings of leaves and stems. You don’t need professional gardening skills to achieve success in propagation and just a few tools bring about a healthy new plant offset.

In this section, we explain the complete details in a step-by-step manner of how you can create a healthy and vibrant new plant, instead of buying a begonia goegoensis. 

– The Right Season To Propagate

The right season to propagate is always in the growing months of the plant which is during spring and summer. These are the months when the sun is at its best and you can utilize the warmth to create and boost the growth of the new plant.

In winter, the plant enters a state of dormancy and roots seldom establish themselves healthily. Gaining strength would be more difficult for the plant, so begin your propagation process as soon as the early days of spring up until the end of summer. You should have a healthy and thriving plant.

– Tools Required 

Keep the mentioned tools at hand before you begin the process. It will not only make your task easier, but you will also not be fiddling around and wasting time during the process. 

Always sterilize all equipment with a diluted solution of isopropyl alcohol before you begin as this will prevent the spread and occurrence of fungal diseases. You will need a container or pot filled with the light porous mix, preferably peat and perlite-based soil, a garden pruner or a sharp knife, and a plastic sheet that will aid in boosting humidity around the plant.

– Propagation Using Rhizome Division

Rhizomes are the fleshy and thick sections of the root that can be snipped away gently to allow them to grow independently. Find the method below where we outline the complete process of how you can easily use the rhizome sections to propagate a plant.

1. Gently remove a developed mother plant from the soil and examine the root sections at this time for any blackened portions that could be a fungal infection. This is the time to snip them away. 
2. Separate a rhizome from the original root system taking care to leave enough root system for the mother plant to survive. You can additionally also divide the snipped rhizome into further halves for the propagation of more plant units. 
3. Prepare your soil mix in a container and gently dig a hole to place the cut rhizome section into the soil. The right way to plant it is to place the root nodule of the rhizome downwards and the shoot pointing upwards. Keep the soil moist and place this container in the sun providing it with the required warmth. Over a few weeks, the rhizome will start to develop on its own and grow into an individual plant.
4. Also, ensure you have re-planted the mother plant into the soil and care for it adequately to help it overcome transplantation shock.

– Propagation by Stem and Leaf Cuttings

You can also propagate the begonia by using stem or leaf cutting which is an easier way as you do not have to dig out the mother plant. All you require is a section of the stem or leaf and you are good to go. 

1. Pick a healthy mother stem section with at least one leaf intact. Make sure the mother plant is healthy without any pests. Put this into a jar of water and let it rest in a warm place to allow it to root. Alternatively, you could also pick a leaf section from the mother plant and place it in water to root. 
2. Cover this with a plastic bag with tiny holes to kick in some extra moisture to add humidity. You can remove this plastic sheet after a few days so that excess humidity does not develop. Change the water every few days so that it does not become murky. In a few weeks, you will notice juvenile nascent roots developing from the cut section. 
3. Once the roots develop you can plant them in soil and keep them moist along with the right exposure to light and warmth. Never let the soil go soggy as this can attract mold and fungus. Over the next few months, new growth will start to occur and the plant would soon establish itself as an adult plant. 

Problems

Similar to other begonia variants such as begonia natunaensis, begonia phutoensis, begonia kingiana, begonia manaus, and begonia rajah, this type is not devoid of its share of problems.

Much as it is mostly hassle-free to grow, a few challenges may often become a concern though they are easy enough to tackle. In this section, we provide you with quick-fix solutions to rectify the issues so wait no longer and read on.

– Root Rot

Root rot is a disease of the begonia that is caused by fungal growth. With excess moisture at the roots, it can attract fungus and mold resulting in decay over time. One of the main reasons for root rot to occur is overwatering of the soil and excess humidity around the plant. Never let the roots stay in water for too long. 

If you suspect root rot the first thing to do is to immediately scale back on the watering. You can rectify the situation by digging the plant out and gently removing any decayed sections.

Snip away the blackened spots with the help of a sterile knife or pruner and repot the plant in a well-draining and sterile soil. Monitor your watering schedule and place the plant in bright direct sunlight and care for it as per the details mentioned in the care section.

– Powdery Mildew

If you find white round fluffy spots on the foliage then this could mean trouble to your plant. Powdery mildew is a common occurrence on the vibrant and delightful begonia plant and if you leave this condition unattended and ignore it can damage the entire leaf and stem section. 

Tackle the condition as soon as possible by treating it with a mixture of baking soda in liquid soap and water. Gently wipe away any mold from the leaves as this can be detrimental to the health of the plant. You could additionally use an organic solution of neem oil regularly until the cycle of infestation is completely eradicated.

– Pest Infestations

Whiteflies are common pests that attack plants growing in warm and humid environments. So you should not be surprised to find these pests frequently on a begonia plant.

These pests suck out the juices from the delicate stems and damage foliage drastically. It is extremely important to deal with the infestation as soon as possible by isolating the plant so that it does not spread to other plants. 

Blast a jet of water with a spray or hose on the areas with heavy infestation. You will find these white and bright green flies on the underside of stems or over the new growth of leaves. Alternatively, you can also use an organic solution of neem oil or an organic insecticidal soap to make these pests fall off the foliage.

– Curling Leaves With Dry Edges

If you find your leaves curling with dry edges then you need to give your watering schedule a look. This condition is a classic outcome of underwatering of the plant which causes a drought-like stress condition. The plant will display brittle and curled-up leaves with nearly dry edges. 

The begonia can be under similar stress especially if the humidity around it is low. Apart from just maintaining a proper watering schedule, keep the moisture level up. You could group the plant with other similar ones to give it the benefit of collective humidity or place a pebble tray with water below the container. 

– Yellowing and Dropping Leaves

Yellow leaves that are also dropping are a clear indication of an overwatered plant. This condition can also occur if there is root rot. Tackle the problem by scaling back on the watering. 

Check for root rot and transplant the plant if you find the soil too soggy. Maintain a proper watering schedule as per the details mentioned in our care section. This should take care of this condition in an easy way.

FAQ

Does Begonia Goegoensis have seeds for propagation?

Begonia goegoensis can be propagated using seeds, making it a viable option for propagation.

Are Begonia Goegoensis Outdoor or Indoor Plants?

They are grown both indoors and outdoors. It depends on the climate you find yourself in. Hot and humid are what they like and will soon wither without the appropriate circumstances.

Should I mist my Begonia Goegoensis leaves?

Misting Begonia goegoensis leaves can help create a humid environment, which is beneficial for their growth and overall health.

Conclusion

You have now learned how the begonia plant with its stunning and exotic look can easily be grown in your home.

Let us summarize our learning and all the care information listed in this guide.

• The beginning goegoensis is a rare plant with green and bronze patterns on solid and rounded leaves. With the striking red color, it can be quite attractive and its spider web veining makes it a must for any garden lover’s collection.
• The plant is evergreen and rhizomatous and thrives in porous soil. It prefers moderate temperatures, partial light, and high humidity similar to its native environment.
• The plant can grow into a bushy spread-out plant so prune regularly to keep it in shape. You can also fertilize the plant with liquid organic fertilizer to boost its foliage and help it retain its vibrant state.
• Most of the problems of the plant can be tackled by ensuring it is watered right, keeping mildew and pests at bay, and providing it with the right environment. 
• Propagate the plant using rhizome division or through cuttings of the stem or leaf. The methods are very easy and with just a few basic tools and easy gardening skills you can create your plant offset.

Having read this all-in-one guide on growing the begonia goegoensis, you will now surely be motivated to include this attractive plant in your home. So wait no longer and bring this delightful foliage into your garden and let it charm your life.