Monday 7 December 2015

Black Velvet Begonia Beauty In My Garden

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.
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. 
This Black Velvet Begonia is best kept from direct sunlight.
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.
I have shifted it and place it on this old sewing machine's pedal.
 This was taken with natural lighting. 
This was taken in the morning.
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)

48 comments:

  1. Gorgeous, Nancy! Lovely photos! I have seen this in a public greenhouse...they are amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh! So, that's what they're called!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, LiLi. Some gardening experts gave me the id of the plant. Have a happy Monday!

      Delete
  3. Your begonia is looking good.
    They grow down here inside or out away from the frost.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Margaret. I am sure the begonia will grow very well in your area. Have a great Monday!

      Delete
  4. What 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.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank 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!

      Delete
  5. I 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.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank 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!

      Delete
  6. Nice 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!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank 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!

      Delete
  7. Replies
    1. Hi Sharon, this is not a common plant, It is not found in the nurseries I visited. Have a nice evening!

      Delete
  8. Nancy, it's a lovely plant with an unusual color. Does it flower?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank 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!

      Delete
  9. Black Velvet is a wonderful name for this beauty.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Tom. I too think it is a wonderful name. Have a wonderful Monday!

      Delete
  10. Hoje não tivemos comidas.
    Um abraço e boa semana.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Francisco. No food post today but we have plants. Have a lovely Monday!

      Delete
  11. Beautiful leaves, especially the undersides.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I never saw a Black Velvet Begonia before. It is a very beautiful plant.
    Have a great Monday Nancy. See ya.

    Cruisin Paul

    ReplyDelete
  13. I love all your foodie posts and I love that you have an awesome green thumb.

    Have a terrific day. ☺

    ReplyDelete
  14. Stunning plant, I love the deep richness of the leaves, beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Mamasmercantile. Have a beautiful Monday!

      Delete
  15. A ver beautiful plant. Will it eventually bloom?
    Hugs,
    JB

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Julia. It still hasn't bloom yet. I hope it will bloom. Have a beautiful Monday!

      Delete
  16. You are such a good gardener, i wish you could come help ME...
    I am not so good at it.....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, BJ. I would love too, how nice if we are staying near to each other. Lol! Have a beautiful day!

      Delete
  17. My mother in law loves begonias and even has one it does have beautiful color and jewel at the center!

    Tanya
    www.StripesNVibes.com
    BlogLovin

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Tanya. I am starting to appreciate and love begonias like your mom in law. Have a lovely day!

      Delete
  18. How pretty! I wish I had a talent with plants.

    ReplyDelete
  19. It really does look like a piece of fabric close up.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Monica. I think that's how the name Black Velvet comes about. Have a great day!

      Delete
  20. This is a really beautiful plant...the new leaves are gorgeous.

    ReplyDelete
  21. So unusual and lovely!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Pretty 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.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Stacy. I too won't dare to eat the plants. I think we are not adventurous enough lol! Have a great day!

      Delete
  23. What a beauty this one is! The name is elegant too. :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Sharon. This is a very special plant. Have a beautiful Friday!

      Delete

Your visits and encouraging comments are greatly appreciated. Please leave me your name and blog link for me to visit you. Thank you.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...