Begonia ‘Corallina de Lucerna’

An heirloom cane Begonia from the 1890s

Begonia ‘Corallina de Lucerna’ is an old horticultural cane cultivar known since the 1890s and also circulated as ‘Lucerna’ or ‘Lucerne’.

Cane Begonia breeding is closely connected with tropical American species. Many grow in warm, humid forests with regular rainfall and light filtered through surrounding vegetation.

Care for cane-forming foliage plants

Watering

water Begonia ‘Corallina de Lucerna’ when the upper layer of the substrate has dried while the centre of the root ball still feels faintly moist. A root ball that stays wet loses oxygen around the fine roots and may soften the lowest part of a cane.

Light

A practical home position for Begonia ‘Corallina de Lucerna’ is beside a large east-facing window, or a short distance from a south or west window behind a sheer curtain. A little early-morning or late-afternoon sun is useful after acclimation.

Substrate and roots

Plan the potting mix around fine, easily torn roots below the cane bases. Use only enough extra pot depth to stabilise the plant; unused wet mix remains saturated for too long.

Temperature

Warm, even conditions suit Begonia ‘Corallina de Lucerna’: steady indoor warmth, staying away from chilling temperatures. A cold sill can chill the shallow roots before the room thermometer shows a problem.

Humidity and airflow

Begonia ‘Corallina de Lucerna’ grows best when humidity stays steady. Moderate indoor humidity is workable, while somewhat higher humidity can help new leaves open cleanly.

Fertilising

Apply a dilute balanced houseplant feed while Begonia ‘Corallina de Lucerna’ is extending canes and side shoots. Stronger feeding will not stabilise growth that is stretching for light.

Begonia ‘Corallina de Lucerna’: problems and solutions

Silver dots are joined by translucent spots

The regular silver spotting is fixed, dry and repeated across the leaf. A new glassy mark, yellow rim or expanding brown area is damage. Remove the affected leaf if it continues to spread, keep irrigation off the canopy and watch the cane for a dark soft streak.

Tall canes become bare and lean

Older lower leaves are eventually shed, but very wide gaps and a strong lean point to one-sided or inadequate filtered light. Turn the plant regularly and support canes carrying heavy foliage. During active growth, shorten an overlong stem just above a node. The healthy top can be rooted separately.

Large flower clusters pull a cane over

The hanging pink blooms can outweigh a soft new cane even when the stem is healthy. Tie the cane loosely before it bends or shorten a poorly placed branch after flowering. A clean crease is mechanical; a wet dark break should be cut back to solid cane.

Flower clusters turn brown and mouldy

Spent petals can remain caught among the spotted leaves and cane joints. Remove fading clusters, clear fallen flowers and improve gentle airflow. Grey fuzz confined to dead petals is easily removed; softness spreading into the flower stalk or cane needs faster pruning to firm tissue.

Begonia ‘Corallina de Lucerna’ 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.

The meaning and history of Begonia

Begonia honours Michel Bégon.

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