Begonia ‘Silver Jewell’

The registered origin of Begonia ‘Silver Jewell’

Susie Zug raised Begonia ‘Silver Jewell’ in California in 1955 from Begonia imperialis × Begonia pustulata, and the cultivar was registered in 1958. The registered spelling uses two final l’s.

Both parents are Mexican rhizomatous species, while the cultivar itself exists only in cultivation and has no wild habitat of its own.

Care for rhizomatous foliage growth

Light

Keep Begonia ‘Silver Jewell’ close to an east or north-east window, or close to a south or west window behind a light curtain. The light is too strong if it heats the leaves and the upper leaf surface bleaches or scars and the rhizome dries unevenly.

Watering

Check Begonia ‘Silver Jewell’ below the surface and water after the upper layer of the substrate has dried while the shallow root zone below remains faintly moist. A damp, compact layer beneath the rhizome is more dangerous than a short dry surface because it restricts oxygen.

Humidity and airflow

Moderate, stable humidity supports clean leaf expansion without creating persistently wet conditions. Pair moderate humidity around the plant with enough air movement to dry the crown after cleaning.

Fertilising

Give Begonia ‘Silver Jewell’ a dilute foliage feed as new leaves and rhizome growth appear. A modest application to moist substrate is safer for the fine roots than an occasional concentrated dose.

Repotting

Begonia ‘Silver Jewell’ needs a new pot once 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.

How to help Begonia ‘Silver Jewell’ recover

Velvety silver leaves curl at the margins

A partly dry root ball, hot airflow or an abrupt humidity change can curl the hairy edges. Check the mix before watering. Curling leaves in wet mix point to root stress. Stabilise moisture and use a humidifier if needed. Keep water off the velvety surface.

Metallic flecks become wet-looking spots

Normal silver flecking remains dry and fixed. Lesions that appear translucent, soften, develop yellow margins or enlarge may be bacterial or fungal. Isolate the plant, remove affected leaves and improve airflow around the low clump. If a spot reaches the petiole or rhizome, cut back promptly.

White powder coats the hairy blade

Powdery mildew can lodge among the fine hairs. Dried mineral residue stays where a droplet landed; mildew spreads or returns after wiping. Remove heavily affected leaves, keep the canopy dry and increase spacing. Use a labelled mildew treatment if necessary, testing it first because the textured silver surface may keep spray marks.

Softness beneath the silver clump

Firm older skin can be brown without causing concern. A dark section that feels wet or smells sour means the surface stem has begun to decay. Lift it from saturated mix, remove the damaged length and root a firm silver-leaved section before the remaining growth points are reached.

Small, hardened or scarred new leaves

One undersized leaf can follow repotting or damage as the velvety clump settles. Repeated stiff blades with no increase in size call for a closer look at the exposed growth point and shallow roots. Replace compacted mix or correct erratic watering, then wait for a supple expanding leaf before feeding.

Begonia ‘Silver Jewell’ 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.

Where does the name Begonia come from?

Begonia honours Michel Bégon.

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