Repotted b "Selph's Mahogany" in a handsome terracotta urn-like pot. I prepped the pot by drilling a 3/4" hole for fine drainage. Laid in some lava rock and covered with grass blocker (breathable fabric). I'm experimenting with new potting mixes. This was: 6 cups MiracleGro Moisture Control potting soil which is rich in humus organic matter, 2 cups perlite, 2 cups sphagnum moss and 1 cup orchid bark. Wonder if the bark will acidify the soil a little (maybe help offset salty breezes?). The mix will stay moist and the terracotta should keep it's feet dry (the large drainage hole will help here).
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| Selph in a new Polyclay Terra Cotta finish urn $16.95 deep enough to support the erect rhizomes of randy boy "Selph's Mahogany" |
I repotted b. " Bandit" a rhizomatous with gorgeous sharply incised palmate leaves becoming a deep emerald when if kept from direct sun. This experiment consisted of a metal basket, lined with coco mat. The potting mix was 4 cups potting soil, 2 cups perlite, 1 cup sheet moss (didn't have the sphagnum yet) and 1 cup bark. The begonia bible by the Thompson's say baskets are the best planting container as it allows perfect drainage -- the perlite, moss etc., should keep it just moist enough.
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| Rhizomatous begonia "Bandit". In time, if the mix turns out to be friendly, she should grow to be a large leafed begonia |
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| Rear view, it's been over potted a bit, I will take a little while for rhizomes to get going, but you get the idea of the basket. It should provide a lot of aeration, mix should stay moist and we should have a blue ribbon winner :) |
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