Begonia maculata 'Albo Variegata'
Polka Dot Begonia Variegata
UK price
£25 to £80
Estimate
Price by size
- Sold, 90 days
- 0
- Middle half
- -
- Last sold
- -
- On record
- 0
Cutting/cormNone
7cmNone
12cmNone
MatureNone
- Sale
- Typical
- Middle half
- Estimate
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About Begonia maculata 'Albo Variegata'
Begonia maculata 'Albo Variegata' is a cultivated horticultural selection derived from the popular cane begonia Begonia maculata Raddi, whose wild ancestry lies in the humid Atlantic Forest habitats of southeastern Brazil. The base species has asymmetrical angel-wing leaves marked with silver polka dots against deep green; the 'Albo Variegata' form adds a layer of irregular cream variegation over the silver spotting, giving a more complex pattern than the plain species. Deep red undersides remain a constant. Upright, segmented, bamboo-like stems carry the winged, asymmetric leaves in a clean vertical arrangement. Compared to the common maculata, the variegated form is considerably harder to find and priced accordingly.
Native range
Cultivated selection (derived from Begonia maculata, native to southeastern Brazil, Atlantic Forest)
Classification
- Genus
- Begonia
- Family
- Begoniaceae
- Type
- Variegated
- Growth habit
- Upright cane, bamboo-like
- Form of
- Begonia maculata
Morphology
- Leaf shape
- Asymmetrical, angel-wing / oblique-ovateEgg-shaped leaves, with the wider end near the base. with pointed tip
- Leaf length
- 12-25 cm
- Leaf width
- 5-10 cm
- Petiole colour
- Short, reddish
- Venation
- Visible beneath spot and variegation pattern
- Texture
- Thin to semi-glossy, deep red undersides
- Variegation
- Silver polka dots plus irregular cream variegation on green blade, a chimericVariegation caused by a cell mutation. Often produces high contrast but can be unstable and revert to all-green. sport (unstableVariegation that is prone to disappearing (reverting to solid green) if lighting conditions are poor or if not pruned. genetic sectoring in the growing tip, not heritable through seed); propagates true only from cuttings taken at a visibly variegated node
- Growth habit
- Upright segmented bamboo-like canes
Recent UK sales
No UK eBay sales recorded for this plant yet.
For sale in the UK
Before you buy
- Check for powdery mildew (a white dusty coating on leaf surfaces, especially in dry conditions); it spreads rapidly between plants
- Inspect for mealybugs at leaf axils and the underside of stems where they hide in white cottony deposits
- Rhizome begonias should show firm, healthy rhizome tissue; avoid plants with soft, discoloured rhizomes
- Most begonias ship well as leaf cuttings; if buying a cutting, ensure it has a healthy petiole and no signs of rot at the cut end
- For variegated or cultivar forms, confirm the cutting or plant shows the named form's characteristic variegation/leaf pattern; heavily reverted (all-green) growth is worth considerably less
Begonia maculata 'Albo Variegata' care
- Substrate
- Light, well-draining mix: 50% perlite, 30% potting compost, 20% orchid bark. Begonias are susceptible to root rot, so excellent drainage is essential.
- Watering
- Allow the top half of the substrate to dry between waterings. Water at the base; wet leaves invite fungal problems. Reduce in winter.
- Humidity
- 50–70%. More tolerant of average indoor humidity than tropical aroids, but consistent moisture prevents crispy leaf margins. Heavily variegated forms often want the higher end of this range; check that form's Quick Facts.
- Feeding
- Balanced liquid fertiliser at quarter strength every 2–3 weeks during the growing season. Do not feed in winter.
- Repotting
- Every 12–18 months in spring. Begonias like shallow, wide pots that suit rhizomatous growth. Don't bury the rhizome.
Common problems
Powdery mildew
Cause: Poor air circulation combined with high humidity
Fix: Improve airflow; avoid wetting leaves; treat with a dilute bicarbonate of soda spray
Botrytis (grey mould)
Cause: Overwatering, dead leaves left on plant, poor air circulation
Fix: Remove dead foliage promptly; increase airflow; reduce watering
Leggy stems
Cause: Insufficient light
Fix: Move to a brighter position; begonias need good indirect light to maintain compact growth
Gear for this plant
- Natural Rooting Powder, 3 x 75gRooting hormone powder for stem and leaf cuttings.
- Precision Bonsai Pruning Scissors, 200mmFine-bladed snips for clean node cuts when taking a cutting.
- Humidity Dome, Heavy-Duty Germination KitVented propagation dome for holding humidity around fresh cuttings.
- Digital Hygrometer & ThermometerLCD humidity and temperature gauge for checking a grow spot against a plant's target range.
How to propagate Begonia maculata 'Albo Variegata'
- Methods
- Leaf cutting, Stem cutting, Rhizome division. Step-by-step guide
- Difficulty
- Easy. Forgiving of missed waterings, average home humidity, and imperfect light. A solid pick for beginners or low-fuss collections.
- Time to establish
- 3-5 months
- True from cuttings
- Yes. Cuttings keep the cultivar's character.
- Notes
- Most rhizomatous begonias root readily from leaf sections or petiole cuttings placed on moist substrate. Keep warm and humid until plantlets emerge at leaf margins. Variegated and cultivar forms of the species should be propagated from cuttings taken at a node that shows the desired variegation or leaf character; see that form's own page for details.