Oriental Begonia Begonia 'Orient' (R)

☠ Toxic to humans

🐾 Toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Hard-care

ABOUT

The Begonia 'Orient' is a visually appealing plant that boasts a unique and attractive appearance. Characterized by its vibrant foliage, the leaves come in a range of green shades varying in intensity. Each leaf is ornately patterned with a mix of lighter and darker hues, which can include whites and silvers, creating a striking contrast. The leaves themselves have a glossy finish, adding a shine that accentuates their colors and patterns. The foliage often has a distinct shape, with edges that can be either wavy or serrated, contributing to the overall lush and textured look of the plant. Some leaves may display a subtle puckering or quilting, which creates an interesting tactile quality. Flowering is another aspect of the Begonia 'Orient' that enhances its ornamental value. The flowers tend to be delicate and can appear in clusters or as singular blooms. They exhibit a variety of colors that typically complement the leaf colors, often found in soft pinks, whites, or reds, and contribute a soft, almost romantic quality to the plant's aesthetic. In terms of overall structure, the plant presents a bushy and robust growth habit, with stems that support the weight of the leaves and flowers. This compact and mound-forming nature allows the Begonia 'Orient' to present itself as a full and rounded addition to any planting arrangement. The plant's visual appeal makes it a popular choice for both indoor and outdoor displays, where it can add a pop of color and interest.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Begoniaceae
- Synonyms
  Oriental Begonia
- Common names
  Begonia 'Orient'
Toxicity
- To humans
  Begonias, including the Begonia 'Orient', contain insoluble oxalates which can be mildly toxic if ingested. If someone eats part of a begonia, they may experience symptoms such as burning and irritation of the mouth, lips, tongue, and throat, as well as difficulty swallowing and gastrointestinal discomfort, including nausea and vomiting.
- To pets
  Begonias are also toxic to pets due to the insoluble oxalates they contain. If a pet ingests any part of a begonia, similar symptoms to those in humans can occur. These might include oral pain, drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing. In severe cases, if a large amount is ingested, it may lead to kidney failure or other serious consequences. It's important to keep begonias out of reach of pets and to seek veterinary care if you suspect your pet has ingested any part of the plant.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Evergreen
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Pink
- Height
  1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
- Spread
  1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
- Plant type
  Herb
- Hardiness zones
  10
- Native area
  Asia

Benefits

General Benefits
- Ornamental Appeal: The Begonia 'Orient' adds aesthetic value to indoor and outdoor spaces with its attractive foliage and blooms.
- Versatility: This Begonia can be grown in a variety of settings, such as hanging baskets, pots, or garden beds, adding flexibility to garden design.
- Low Maintenance: It requires minimal care, making it suitable for gardeners of all skill levels.
- Long Flowering Period: The plant offers a long season of visual interest with its extended blooming time.
- Shade Tolerance: It thrives in shaded areas where other plants might not perform well.
- Humidity Tolerance: The Begonia 'Orient' is well-suited to humid environments, which is beneficial in tropical or indoor settings.
- Color Variety: It provides a range of colors through both its flowers and foliage, contributing to diverse garden palettes.
- Compact Size: Its moderate growth habit makes it suitable for small spaces and as a houseplant.
- Propagating Ease: The plant can easily be propagated from cuttings, allowing for garden expansion or sharing with others.
- Non-Toxicity: As a member of the Begonia family, the plant is generally considered non-toxic, making it a safer choice for households with pets.
Medical Properties
This plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses
- Begonias can be used in a terrarium setup, providing attractive foliage and helping to create a miniature ecosystem.
- The waxy leaves of the Begonia can be used for leaf castings in garden art to create decorative impressions.
- These plants can be included in educational activities for children to teach them about plant growth and propagation.
- As a natural dye, the colorful leaves of Begonias can be used to tint fabrics or paper in a subtle, organic way.
- Begonia petals can be used to decorate cakes and pastries as an edible ornament, provided they're pesticide-free.
- In photography, Begonia flowers and foliage provide attractive subjects for macro photography enthusiasts.
- During craft activities, the varied leaf patterns can be used in leaf rubbing art projects.
- Floral arrangements sometimes utilize Begonia leaves and flowers to add volume and vibrant color.
- Begonia blossoms can be floated in bowls of water as a decorative, fragrant element in table centerpieces.
- In horticultural therapy, tending to Begonias can be a soothing activity that enhances well-being for individuals.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
The Begonia is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
The Begonia is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Caution: The begonia often represents a warning to be cautious or to stay alert in new situations.
- Foresight: It symbolizes your ability to anticipate future events or having wisdom about future challenges.
- Harmony: This plant can signify balance and a sense of peace in personal or professional relationships.
- Uniqueness: Due to the distinctive patterns and colors of the begonia, it can represent individuality and standing out from the crowd.
- Friendship: Begonias are sometimes given as a token of friendship, denoting deep appreciation and platonic affection.

💧

Every 1-2 weeks

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every year

Repotting

🌱️

Spring-Early Summer

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
The Begonia 'Orient', commonly known as Oriental Begonia, should be watered when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. Water it thoroughly, allowing the water to run through the drainage holes in the bottom of the pot, ensuring that the roots get evenly moistened. Generally, watering once a week is sufficient, but this can vary based on environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity. It is crucial to avoid overwatering, as Oriental Begonias are susceptible to root rot. Approximately 16 to 32 ounces of water every seven days is a good starting point, but always adjust based on the dryness of the soil.
Light
Oriental Begonias prefer bright, indirect sunlight. They thrive when placed in a spot that receives plenty of light, but not direct sunlight which can scorch the leaves. An east or west-facing window with filtered light is ideal for this plant. Avoid dark, poorly-lit areas as this can lead to weak growth and fewer flowers.
Temperature
Oriental Begonias favor temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit (18 to 24 inches). They can tolerate a minimum temperature of 60 degrees Fahrenheit but do suffer in temperatures lower than that. It is equally important to protect them from temperatures above 86 degrees Fahrenheit as higher temperatures can cause stress to the plant.
Pruning
Pruning is essential for the Oriental Begonia to maintain its shape and encourage bushier growth. Prune the plant in the spring before the new growth starts, removing any dead or damaged leaves and stems. Light pruning can be done throughout the growing season to remove spent blooms and encourage further flowering. Deadheading, the process of removing old flowers, should be done regularly to keep the plant looking tidy.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
The best soil mix for a Begonia 'Orient' consists of a well-draining, peat-based potting mix with added perlite or pine bark for aeration. Aim for a soil pH of around 6.0 to 7.0. Regular fertilization will help maintain plant health.
Repotting
Begonias generally should be repotted every 1-2 years or when they become root-bound. Repot Begonia 'Orient' in spring before new growth begins, using fresh potting mix.
Humidity & Misting
Begonia 'Orient' thrives in higher humidity levels, ideally between 50% to 70%. Avoid placing in dry environments and consider using a humidifier or pebble tray to maintain adequate moisture in the air.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Keep Begonia 'Orient' in bright, indirect light and high humidity.
- Outdoor
  Place Begonia 'Orient' in shade and protect from strong winds.
- Hardiness zone
  10-11 USDA
Life cycle
Begonia 'Orient' begins its life as a seed, which germinates in moist, well-drained soil in a warm environment. The seedling stage follows, where the plant develops its first leaves and a root system. As it transitions to the vegetative stage, the begonia grows larger, develops more leaves, and branches out, becoming bushier. This hybrid variety may also be propagated through cuttings, where a section of stem or leaf is planted to grow a new plant. During the flowering stage, Begonia 'Orient' produces showy blossoms that can be a variety of colors, often bright and ornamental, attracting pollinators if grown outdoors. After flowering, the plant produces seeds, completing its life cycle, or it may continue to grow and flower multiple times before eventually reaching maturity and senescence.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring-Early Summer
- The Begonia 'Orient', commonly known as Begonia, can be propagated through leaf cuttings, a popular and effective method for many begonias. To propagate by leaf cuttings, you take a healthy leaf in the spring or summer months, when the plant's growth is most vigorous, and cut it into pieces, ensuring each piece has at least one of the main veins. You then lay the leaf pieces vein-side down on a moist growing medium such as peat moss, pressing them gently into the surface. It is important to maintain moisture without waterlogging and provide warmth to encourage root development. The leaf pieces will eventually sprout new plants at the veins, which can be potted up individually once they have grown enough to handle.