Begonia hemsleyana ‘Silver Dots’

The Chinese background of Begonia hemsleyana ‘Silver Dots’

Begonia hemsleyana ‘Silver Dots’ entered wider cultivation through material associated with China and was discussed by the Japanese Begonia Society in 1998 before being linked with Begonia hemsleyana.

Begonia hemsleyana is native to China, where it grows in shaded, moist forests and valleys at roughly 1,000–1,300 m. The precise wild collection locality of the cultivated form is unknown.

Watering and root care for rhizomatous plants

Watering

Water Begonia hemsleyana ‘Silver Dots’ after the upper layer of the substrate has dried while the shallow root zone below remains faintly moist. Waterlogged substrate around the shallow roots can weaken the living rhizome without an immediate warning from the foliage.

Light

Place Begonia hemsleyana ‘Silver Dots’ close to an east or north-east window, or close to a south or west window behind a light curtain. Too much unfiltered light is visible when the upper leaf surface bleaches or scars and the rhizome dries unevenly.

Substrate and roots

Begonia hemsleyana ‘Silver Dots’ has a thick horizontal rhizome supported by feeder roots near the top of the pot. Keep the rhizome of the plant uncovered and give its growing end open surface space.

Temperature

Keep both foliage and pot away from night-time glass chill and air-conditioning outlets.

Humidity and airflow

Ordinary room air may be enough if new leaves expand normally; moderate to high humidity usually reduces dry edges. Give the broad leaves of the plant space to open without resting against damp neighbouring foliage.

Repotting

Repot Begonia hemsleyana ‘Silver Dots’ when the rhizome reaches the rim, roots fill the shallow pot, water moves unevenly or the substrate has compacted. Set the plant so the growing rhizome has room to advance across the fresh mix.

Problems to watch for with Begonia hemsleyana ‘Silver Dots’

Translucent halos appear around sparse silver spots

The normal marks are small, widely spaced, dry and sharply contained on the dark leaflets. A glassy halo or expanding brown area is separate damage. Remove a spreading lesion, keep irrigation off the foliage and inspect the shared leaf stalk.

Pale scratches cross the dark leaflets

Thrips feeding can appear as irregular pale rasping accompanied by black specks, especially on new growth. Compare the marks with the plant’s fixed silver dots. Isolate and treat only when repeated fresh damage or insects are found.

Erect aerial stems lean or lose lower leaves

The open upright habit becomes more pronounced as the stems gain height. Support a firm leaning stem loosely or prune above a node to encourage lower growth. Continued leaf loss with a dark or soft base calls for immediate inspection of the basal rhizome and roots.

New compound leaves remain small or distorted

Check folded leaflets and maroon undersides for mites, thrips and mealybugs. If no pest is present, inspect the roots for compaction or decay and review light. Recovery should produce a supple divided leaf that expands fully and retains the sparse spotting.

Begonia hemsleyana ‘Silver Dots’ 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.

How did Begonia hemsleyana get its name?

Begonia honours Michel Bégon. The epithet hemsleyana commemorates British botanist William Botting Hemsley.

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

Joseph Dalton Hooker first described Begonia hemsleyana in 1899 in Botanical Magazine, volume 125, plate 7685.