Begonia ‘Little Brother Montgomery’

The breeding background of Begonia ‘Little Brother Montgomery’

Martin Johnson hybridised Begonia ‘Little Brother Montgomery’ in Redwood City, California, in the late 1970s. It came from the same cross as ‘Connee Boswell’, and its family line includes Begonia palmata and Begonia diadema.

Caring for Begonia ‘Little Brother Montgomery’

Use a stable container with an airy, organic-rich mix that drains reliably for the upright, jointed stems of ‘Little Brother Montgomery’. Shorten a long shoot just above a node to encourage branching, and support an older stem if it begins to lean. Repot when roots fill the container; a heavier pot can help if the tall stems make it unstable.

Bright filtered light from several directions helps the divided foliage develop evenly. Temperatures around 16–25 °C, moderate humidity and good air movement suit the plant. Water when the surface is dry and the pot feels lighter, then soak thoroughly and let the excess drain.

While stems and leaves are developing, use a weak balanced fertiliser every few weeks. Healthy tip and stem cuttings root readily.

What to look for when Begonia ‘Little Brother Montgomery’ has problems

• Lower leaves yellow and stems stretch with wide gaps: Low light can weaken the upright stems, while wet potting mix can also yellow older leaves. Stretched stems benefit from brighter filtered light. If the mix remains wet for a long time, inspect the roots before adding more water.
• A lower stem turns dark or soft: Stem or root rot can follow prolonged wetness. Cut the affected stem back into firm, healthy tissue with a clean tool and discard the rotted base and old mix. A healthy upper section can be rooted if the lower plant is extensively damaged.
• Cottony clusters or hard bumps appear at the nodes: Mealybugs or scale can hide where divided leaves meet the stems. Keep the plant separate while visible pests are removed. Once the pest is identified, a product labelled for it on indoor ornamental plants can be used and repeated according to the label.
• New leaves show fine pale feeding marks and distortion: Mites or thrips may be involved. Inspect the newest leaves and their undersides to identify the pest, keeping an affected plant separate. Once the pest is identified, use a product labelled for it on indoor ornamental plants and follow the label.

Begonia ‘Little Brother Montgomery’ 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: name and meaning

Begonia honours Michel Bégon.

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