Begonia tamaya (Begonia corallina)
The corallina begonia, which you can commonly find as tamaya begonia, is a plant that is especially located in some areas of Latin America and is famous among Mexicans. It is also called bamboo begonia, because its stem closely resembles the stems of the bambusoideae family.
This type of begonias is frequently used for decorative purposes, because it can be kept in the home without problems. Likewise, if you want to know more about the properties and care of tamaya begonia, then here are some explanations and tips on the subject.
Characteristics of the tamaya begonia
The tamaya begonia is a very easy plant to recognize due to its flowers. It does not usually grow too large, rather it looks like a small tree of approximately 50 cm. It also has strong, knotty stems, similar to bamboo stems but thinner.
These stems end in large green leaves, which are almost always speckled with small white dots or spots. The flowers of the tamaya begonia are one of its greatest attractions. These bloom in broad clusters of pink or reddish color. However, it must be taken into account that, despite being a plant of great beauty, it is also quite delicate.
Unlike other botanical species, begonia corallina has a tendency to rot if exposed to too much moisture. For this reason, gardeners tend to take care not to wet their leaves during the watering process, so as not to damage the plant.
What is it for
The tamaya begonia is used especially to decorate interior spaces, such as living rooms and dining rooms, or to decorate outdoor spaces such as balconies or small gardens. It is not usually used for medicinal or cosmetic purposes.
Interior decorators recommend having begonias at home because they contribute to the aesthetics of the environments. They are also used for engagement parties, weddings or baptisms. The advantage of this plant is that taking care of it does not become complicated once you know how to do it.
How to make organic pesticide
Essential oils are used to combat some begonia pests. However, you can make your own organic pesticide at home. Here we explain how:
Ingredients:
- 1 onion or 1 clove of garlic
- Filtered water
Preparation
Blend or the garlic with six cups of water, overnight. Then let it rest and turn it into a spray by pouring it into a humidifier. Remember to avoid over-spraying the leaves.
You can also opt for citrus pesticides, which are made with lemon or orange juice and water. Equally, it serves to boil half a liter of water together with lemon zest or the entire orange peel.
While caring for a coralline begonia is very easy, you shouldn’t take it lightly. Don’t forget that plants are living things that need attention too. So if you don’t have an environment conducive to having a begonia, then don’t buy it, as it won’t last long.
Certain Latin American cultures, especially the Aztecs, believed that begonia had spiritual gifts, which is why they held it in high esteem. To them they meant prosperity and sympathy. They used to keep it in their homes and grow it in their gardens. Today, decorators choose them for their beautiful appearance and their pleasant, light scent.
Finally, now that you know that the tamaya begonia is a tropical plant, whose care does not represent any difficulty and that you can carry it with you, you can decide if you want to buy one or prefer to see it in botanical parks. Keep in mind that they are also nice gifts for Valentine’s Day or birthdays
Care
Begonias can be found at botanical or garden stores. It is also easy to buy the seeds online. Begonia corallina is a plant that can be easily cared for at home. It does not require much attention, so it is perfect for amateur gardeners or amateurs.
If there is something that tamaya begonia needs, it is heat and lighting, so it is advisable to leave it in the sun for some time or in a warm environment. Excessively cold spaces do not suit this plant at all. So we must warn you that it will wither quickly if you keep it in a place with a very low temperature.
Warm locations are perfect for tamaya begonia. However, exposing it to the sun for a long period of time is not advisable, since its leaves could be progressively burned. Ideally, take it outside for a while or leave it near glass windows, so that the lighting enters indirectly and receives enough light to stay healthy.
As mentioned above, the cold is lethal for begonia corallina. That is why it does not withstand winters where the temperature is very low. During this time of year, what you should do is protect the plant indoors and provide it with a source of light. This is not a problem for those who have greenhouses. If you don’t have any, just don’t worry. With a lamp it is more than enough in certain cases.
If you flood a tamaya begonia with water, it is very likely that it will wilt sooner rather than later. That means that you should not abuse it when watering it, if you want it to last for a long period of time.
The best method of watering a tamaya begonia is with a low-water shower or humidifier. Avoid spraying the leaves or flowers of the plant, as excessive humidity damages them.
Ideally, keep the soil in which the begonia is planted moist. That means you can water it once a week or every four days. You should also not forget to hydrate the tamaya begonia, since almost all plants need at least a little water to live.
You also should not continually fertilize the tamaya. Once in early spring or summer is perfect. During these two seasons, the tamaya begonia grows in an accelerated way and its flowers open the petals. Try using organic compost: there is a great variety and you can find it in markets or botanical stores.
You don’t need to prune corallina begonia. With the care that we have mentioned, the plant will be fine. If you notice the invasion of whiteflies, which commonly appear with the presence of begonia, then you will need to purchase an organic pesticide to keep them away.
Begonia is a very simple plant to care for, which is capable of beautifying the most boring rooms or empty balconies. Interestingly, the Aztecs believed that he had great spiritual gifts and they cultivated it a lot.
