Angel Wing Begonia Plants – Viet Nam Agriculture

Angel wing begonias are hybrid flowers that were first introduced to the world in 1926 by Eva Kenworthy Gray, who was a plant breeder based out of California. The tender perennials are part of the Begoniaceae family. Angel wing begonias are crosses between two different species of begonias: Begonia coccinea and Begonia aconitifolia. The plants are popularly used as indoor houseplants.

The name "Angel wing begonia" comes from its foliage, color and shape. The leaves, on a single stem, grow upwards. The flowering plants develop blooms that appear in an array of colors, all the way from white to red. The leaves also appear in many diverse colors. The upside of the leaf is generally deep green, with silver and metallic spotting. The bottom of the leaf usually is dark red in color. The plants are cane-like in appearance, and grow to between 1 and 2 feet in height.

Angel wing begonias grow successfully under light shade, partial shade or full sun. The low-maintenance plants bloom starting in the end of the spring up until the beginning of the autumn. Angel wing begonias work well in soil that is neutral to mildly acidic. Well-drained and consistently moist soil is required (clay loam and sandy loam work well). Regular watering is necessary for the plants, although it is crucial to make sure never to water them excessively. The plants grow well in containers, and can be propagated via seed, softwood cuttings and herbaceous stem cuttings. It is important to make sure not to grow the plants directly under the sun in the middle of the day, as they could run the risk of burning. High humidity levels and ample light and water are ideal for Angel wing begonia cultivation. A lot of light provides the foliage with more shine to their color.

Angel wing begonias are frequently afflicted by various different common houseplant pests, which include mildews and white flies. One way to eliminate these pests is by taking the Angel wing begonia outdoors, shaking it off lightly to eliminate some of the pests naturally, and then using an insecticide spray.