Begonia maldonado
Quick Stats:
Care Level: Advanced
Light: Bright, Indirect Light
Humidity: High (60-100%)
Plant Size: Small, 20cm max, Trailing
Terrarium Size: Any
Placement: In Soil
Introduction to Begonia maldonado
This extremely rare, extremely beautiful trailing begonia does very well in terrariums, as long as it’s given the right care. It is picky and sensitive, and likes its light strong but indirect, its humidity intense but not dripping, and its location wet on the roots and stems but never on the leaves. If you think you’re up to the task of caring for this beauty, keep reading!
Lighting, Watering, and Humidity Requirements:
This plant is a dream in terrariums. It loves that bright persistent light that most diurnal humid terrarium species like, but it doesn’t want to be directly under the bulb. It does prefer to trail along on the ground, so it should be fine in open light or with some gentle cover, as long as your terrarium isn’t extremely low. This plant likes humidity and water, and will do well in an area that dries out infrequently. It can be planted alongside water features, but not in them. Be sure it does have some soil or moss to grip onto. The roots love water and the stems are quite tolerant of being wet as well,however, do allow the leaves to dry between mistings. If unhappy, this plant will drop all of its leaves at once and slowly begin to regrow them. If you get the leaves wet regularly, it will inevitably drop them all. This begonia prefers to be watered from the bottom, or allow it to be watered by an existing water feature. It also likes high humidity, and does very well above 60% at all times, but again, be sure droplets aren’t forming on the leaves of the plant. It does like airflow and circulation as well, so a well ventilated terrarium is best. Cross flow from one side of the enclosure to the other will be appreciated.
Terrarium Placement:
Maldonado wants to be placed (at least initially) at the bottom of the terrarium, in either soil or moss. It likes sphagnum moss the best if you choose the moss route. Its dainty leaves demand it to be a foreground plant, and it is a creeper, so it will eventually trail all over your substrate. If you truly have a green thumb, it can be very gently coaxed to climb, but go slowly! Again, be sure it is getting a lot of light but isn’t close to your bulbs.
Maintenance and Seasonal Care:
Maintaining this plant long-term can be tricky, as it can be very sensitive. The goal is to find it the optimal location to grow and thrive, and then leave it alone to its own devices as much as possible. It is rhizomatous, meaning you can take stem clippings and plant them elsewhere in the terrarium, but this should only be done once the plant is well established. Try not to reposition the parent plant at all once you’ve found a location it likes. It will thrive once its requirements are met and it is left alone apart from very occasional trimmings if it gets too long.
Cool Facts:
-This plant is still extremely rare in the hobby!
-It’s native to lowlands in Uruguay
-It drops all its leaves when stressed
-Stronger lighting will make this plant want to climb vertically!
