This Begonia beauty was given to me by a friend. The gardening experts told me this is called Black Velvet Begonia. Begonia is called Pokok Assam Batu in Malay. It is claimed that the flowers of Begonia can be eaten and it tastes sourish. That is why it is called Pokok Assam Batu. Pokok means tree and assam means sour in Malay.
When I brought this plant home, it was a baby plant, with only 2 to 3 small leaves and about 4 inches tall only. It is a very precious jewel to me. Initially, I thought it was going to die but somehow it pulled through and it is now growing well.
When I brought this plant home, it was a baby plant, with only 2 to 3 small leaves and about 4 inches tall only. It is a very precious jewel to me. Initially, I thought it was going to die but somehow it pulled through and it is now growing well.
At first, I planted the baby plant in a small pot. After the baby plant has settled and new leaves have grown, I transferred it this current pot.
The new leaves are wine red and as it age, it changes to a darker shade. Sometimes it looks like dark purplish green, sometimes like blackish green.
This is a very special plant and it is not easily available in the nurseries.
The leaves are velvety and the colour are in different shade.
I kept it under the porch where it is bright.
The surface of the leaves has tiny hairs.
Begonias make good indoor plants.
Begonia grow best in good water drainage soil.
Too much water or water logged soil will cause root rot.
This picture was taken at night under the porch lighting.
Here the leaves looked like dark green with a sparkling centre.
This was taken in the day light, under the porch.
Here it looked like purplish green with a sparkling centre.
I called it Black Velvet Begonia Beauty!
It has a sparkling jewel in the centre.
It grows from rhizomes or tubers. Propagation is by separation of rhizomes or tubers. I will have to wait for it to multiply more before I can separate the rhizomes to plant in more pots.
The leaf stalks are light green with red spots.
The underside of leaf is wine red and is smooth.
Thanking God for the friend who gave me this precious jewel.
The man who knows right from wrong and
has good judgment and common sense is happier
than the man who is immensely rich!
For such wisdom is far more valuable than precious jewels.
Nothing else compares with it.
(Proverbs 3:13-15, TLB)
Gorgeous, Nancy! Lovely photos! I have seen this in a public greenhouse...they are amazing!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Linda. Have a beautiful Monday!
DeleteOh! So, that's what they're called!
ReplyDeleteYes, LiLi. Some gardening experts gave me the id of the plant. Have a happy Monday!
DeleteYour begonia is looking good.
ReplyDeleteThey grow down here inside or out away from the frost.
Thank you, Margaret. I am sure the begonia will grow very well in your area. Have a great Monday!
DeleteWhat a unique plant! And so beautiful! Thank you for taking some time to visit my place & leaving me & my family an encouragement. I appreciate it. No matter the distance, there is no place so far that the bond from the Lord's love is not able to reach. Blessings to you sister.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Rcubes for your visit and comments. The best we can do is to encourage one another as sisters in Christ. Take care and have a beautiful Monday!
DeleteI have never seen this plant before. Beautiful leaves with sparkling jewel in the centre makes it stands out. How I love to have a pot of it. Your sewing machine is SINGER, branded & lasting brand.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Irene. This is my first plant of this specie. I am falling in love with Begonias! I had a spare sewing machine stand, I painted it and used as flower stand. Lol! Have a lovely evening!
DeleteNice plant! The shape of the leaves look like watermelon or grape leaves. Will you eat the flowers when it flowers? Have a great week ahead!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mun. I do not think I will eat the flowers. I have not seen the flowers yet, waiting for it to bloom. Have a relaxing evening!
DeleteDon't think i see this plant before...
ReplyDeleteHi Sharon, this is not a common plant, It is not found in the nurseries I visited. Have a nice evening!
DeleteNancy, it's a lovely plant with an unusual color. Does it flower?
ReplyDeleteThank you, Phong Hong. I do not know, I am waiting to see if it flowers or not and I have not seen any sign of flowering. Have a lovely evening!
DeleteBlack Velvet is a wonderful name for this beauty.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Tom. I too think it is a wonderful name. Have a wonderful Monday!
DeleteHoje não tivemos comidas.
ReplyDeleteUm abraço e boa semana.
Hi Francisco. No food post today but we have plants. Have a lovely Monday!
DeleteBeautiful leaves, especially the undersides.
ReplyDeleteThank you, EG. Have a beautiful Monday!
DeleteI never saw a Black Velvet Begonia before. It is a very beautiful plant.
ReplyDeleteHave a great Monday Nancy. See ya.
Cruisin Paul
Thank you, Paul. Have a great Monday too!
DeleteIt certainly is a pretty plant.
ReplyDeleteThank you, William. Have a lovely Monday!
DeleteI love all your foodie posts and I love that you have an awesome green thumb.
ReplyDeleteHave a terrific day. ☺
Thank you, Sandee. Have a terrific Monday!
DeleteStunning plant, I love the deep richness of the leaves, beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mamasmercantile. Have a beautiful Monday!
DeleteA ver beautiful plant. Will it eventually bloom?
ReplyDeleteHugs,
JB
Thank you, Julia. It still hasn't bloom yet. I hope it will bloom. Have a beautiful Monday!
DeleteYou are such a good gardener, i wish you could come help ME...
ReplyDeleteI am not so good at it.....
Thank you, BJ. I would love too, how nice if we are staying near to each other. Lol! Have a beautiful day!
DeleteMy mother in law loves begonias and even has one it does have beautiful color and jewel at the center!
ReplyDeleteTanya
www.StripesNVibes.com
BlogLovin
Thank you, Tanya. I am starting to appreciate and love begonias like your mom in law. Have a lovely day!
DeleteHow pretty! I wish I had a talent with plants.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Stephanie. Have a wonderful day!
DeleteIt really does look like a piece of fabric close up.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Monica. I think that's how the name Black Velvet comes about. Have a great day!
DeleteThis is a really beautiful plant...the new leaves are gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Rose. Have a beautiful day!
DeleteSo unusual and lovely!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Ladyfi. Have a lovely day!
DeletePretty colour! I'm always scared to eat plants unless bought as an edible one. Scared in case turn out to be mistaken identity and poisonous hehe.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Stacy. I too won't dare to eat the plants. I think we are not adventurous enough lol! Have a great day!
DeleteWhat a beauty this one is! The name is elegant too. :D
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sharon. This is a very special plant. Have a beautiful Friday!
Delete