Begonia maculata — Tamaya standard form

The background of Begonia maculata — Tamaya standard form

Begonia maculata grows naturally in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where it develops as a shrub or small tree in Brazil’s warm, humid tropics. The Tamaya shape is created by training the species: lower growth is cleared and the branching upper canes are shaped into a crown.

Looking after Begonia maculata — Tamaya standard form

Keep the leafy crown in bright filtered light and rotate the pot gradually if it leans strongly towards one window. Gentle morning sun is suitable after acclimation. Temperatures around 16–25 °C work well for the trained crown, with moderate humidity. A heavy, stable pot with firm, well-drained mix supports the bare lower cane and leafy top.

Water after the surface has dried and allow excess to drain from the container. Feed with a weak balanced fertiliser every few weeks while leaves or flowers are developing. To maintain the tree-like form, remove unwanted lower shoots while they are small and pinch upper shoots above a node as they lengthen. Repot when roots fill the container, replacing the support tie as the main cane thickens. Pruned stem tips can be rooted as cuttings.

What to check if Begonia maculata — Tamaya standard form is struggling

• The rounded crown thins and the spaces between new leaves become longer: Insufficient light can weaken the trained top. Move the plant gradually into brighter filtered light and rotate it in small increments so later shoots develop more evenly.
• The bare lower stem or base of the plant becomes soft: Potting mix that stays wet can cause cane or root rot. Cut affected tissue back to firm, healthy material with a clean tool and discard the rotted material and old mix. A healthy upper section can be rerooted if the base is extensively damaged.
• Cottony clusters or hard bumps appear on the trunk and nodes: Mealybugs or scale can hide along the cleared cane and branch junctions. Keep the plant separate while visible pests are removed. Once identified, use a product labelled for that pest on indoor ornamentals and repeat as directed on the label.
• New leaves or flowers develop silvery scars and distortion: Thrips may be feeding in tender leaves and flowers. Keep the plant separate while inspecting unfolding leaves and flowers. A treatment labelled for thrips on indoor ornamentals can be used if present, with repeat applications following the label.

Begonia maculata, Tamaya standard form 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.

Who first published Begonia maculata, and what does the name mean?

Begonia honours Michel Bégon. The epithet maculata means spotted and refers to the pale dots on the leaves.

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

Giuseppe Raddi first described Begonia maculata in 1820 in Alcune Specie Rare o Nuove di Piante Brasiliane, page 406.