Begonia Elatior Group

Japanese name: エラチオール ベゴニア （リーガース ベゴニア）
Scientific name: Begonia Elatior Group

[Overview]
A group of garden cultivars created by crossing Begonia socotrana (Begonia socotrana) and the Kyukon-begonia.
A succulent perennial.
It has an underground tuber (bulb).
Leaves are simple and alternate, asymmetrical, hairless and glossy.
The size, shape and color of the flowers vary.

[Cultivation]
Propagate from shoot cuttings.
It prefers a well-aerated, well-drained soil with moderate water retention.
From autumn to spring keep it in a sunny place; in summer, strong sunlight causes leaf scorch, so keep it in a cool place in partial shade.
It prefers a well-ventilated place.
Keep it out of the rain.
The optimum growth temperature is around 20°C; it is weak to heat, and to overwinter it keep it at 10°C or above.
Water thoroughly when the soil surface dries.
At this time, water on the leaves or flowers can cause disease, so water at the base of the plant.
In spring and autumn, apply slow-release fertilizer once a month, or liquid fertilizer once every two weeks.
Do not fertilize in summer, as the plant is weakened by the heat.
If cut back in March–April, leaving about 3–4 nodes from the bottom, new branches grow and it flowers again.
Pests and diseases include gray mold, powdery mildew, bacterial leaf spot, aphids, spider mites and thrips.

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