Begonia chingipengii

A streamside Philippine endemic from Luzon

Begonia chingipengii is known from Gabaldon, Nueva Ecija, on the Philippine island of Luzon. The type collection was made near the Maplud River at about 415 metres elevation.

The species was documented in disturbed broadleaf forest on a rocky slope above a stream, at roughly 400–415 metres. The streamside rocky slope and disturbed broadleaf forest provide the clearest picture of its known habitat.

Watering and root care for rhizomatous plants

Watering

Check moisture in the root zone directly: water Begonia chingipengii when the surface is just beginning to dry while the small root zone remains evenly moist. The fine roots and thin leaves have little reserve, so a complete dry-out can stop the growing point.

Light

Begonia chingipengii grows most evenly near a bright north or east window, or under a suitable grow light in a ventilated cabinet where no direct sun reaches the leaves. Move it closer to the window if growth stalls, petioles or stems reach weakly towards the light and each new leaf is smaller.

Temperature

Pull the plant away from cold windows at night, especially while the substrate is still moist.

Fertilising

Feed Begonia chingipengii very lightly with a complete foliage or orchid fertiliser while new leaves or shoots are forming. Keep chingipengii at the weaker dose.

Root care and watering

Move Begonia chingipengii into fresh substrate when fine roots occupy the shallow pot, the growing point reaches the rim, moisture becomes uneven or the substrate packs down. Keep chingipengii in a close-fitting pot so moisture remains easy to judge inside the enclosure.

Watering and root care

Keep the plant as a low clump and leave room around the crown for new patterned leaves. Remove dry leaf stalks and old flowers cleanly, without peeling live tissue from a cane or rhizome.

Begonia chingipengii: problems and solutions

Pale veins are surrounded by yellow tissue

A pale midrib and lighter radiating veins are normal on the dark green blade. Yellowing that spreads beyond the regular vein pattern can follow damaged roots or exhausted mix. Inspect the low root system before adding nutrients.

Irregular dark areas on maroon leaf backs

Rich maroon colour across the reverse is normal on a firm leaf. A local area that becomes translucent, glassy or soft and keeps enlarging is damaged tissue. Remove a spreading lesion and inspect its petiole.

Broad leaves droop together

Feel the mix and the petioles. Water thoroughly if the mix is partly dry. Leaves that stay limp in wet mix need a root check; several drooping from the same point also need the rhizome inspected.

Several leaves detach from a soft centre

Unpot the plant promptly and trace the loose petioles to their base. Cut away every dark soft section and save a healthy rooted section or healthy leaf section. Place the healthy section in fresh, airy mix in a small pot, keeping the base visible.

Begonia chingipengii is toxic to people and pets

• Keep this plant away from children, cats and dogs.
• The roots and rhizomes contain the highest levels of soluble oxalates, and the sap can irritate skin.
• Chewing may cause mouth irritation, drooling, vomiting or stomach pain. Contact a veterinarian or medical professional if symptoms develop.

Begonia chingipengii: where the name comes from

Begonia honours Michel Bégon. The epithet chingipengii honours the Taiwanese botanist Ching-I Peng.

Carl Linnaeus established the genus Begonia in 1753 in Species Plantarum, page 1056.

Rosario Rivera Rubite first described Begonia chingipengii in 2014 in Phytotaxa, volume 164, page 177.