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Begonia Julau – 7 Caring Tips & Propagation Guide

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The Begonia Julau plant originated from Malaysia, where it typically grows in Julau Sarawak. The plant belongs to the family of Begoniaceae, and it also goes by the name “Butterfly Begonia.”

Depending on the size of its leaves, the plant is categorized into 2 varieties, namely: Begonia type 1 and Begonia type 2 (more about this in the next section).

The unique pink and green color of this plant makes these plants so incredibly pleasing to look at, and it is the main reason why this plant is so widely sought out by home gardeners.

Begonia Julau 1
Begonia Julau – via Etsy

The main characteristics of the Begonia Julau plant

Growth & Size

These plants can grow up to 13 to 15 inches. The plant is classified into two types, type 1 has shown shorter leaves and height, whereas type 2 is slightly taller and has longer leaves. However, both the plants have the same appearance.

Leaves

The length of the leaf is approximately 2 to 3 cm, while its width is usually around 1 cm. A healthy Begonia Julau will have a dark green color with beautiful pink patterns. The leaves are round in shape and have pointed endings. The edges of the plant are pink, which gives it a very beautiful appearance.

Diseases

Since the plant belongs to an area with a warm climate, it is prone to get attacked by fungal diseases. Fungal disease can be extremely damaging to the plant; therefore, keeping the plant in a place with sufficient air circulation is recommended.

If the plant catches a fungal disease, the leaves can be chopped off to avoid the spread. The fungus can even spread onto other nearby plants. So, it is important that you stay cautious.

Begonia Julau 2
Begonia Julau – via Etsy

How to take care of a Begonia Julau

Watering

You have to be very careful when watering your Begonia Julau plant. The amount of water given to the plant should be enough to keep the soil a little moist most of the time, as it belongs to an area that experiences a lot of rainfall.

Overwatering can damage the plant greatly, but don’t worry, there is an easy way to know just when you should water your plant.

All you need to do is use your fingers to check the moisture level of the uppermost layer of the soil. If the soil is moist, you should wait to water your plant again. If your soil isn’t moist, though, you should water your plant immediately.

Soil

If you want your Begonia Julau to grow healthy, you must plant it in soil with good drainage. Having poor drainage can give rise to waterlogged soil, which will create a huge hindrance to the plant’s growth.

Layers comprising sand, charcoal and pebbles to assist in better drainage. These layers will give the space for the roots to grow freely and breathe. As far as PH is concerned, the plant is best adapted to grow under neutral PH levels.

Temperature

Begonia Julau can grow well in warm temperatures ranging from 20 to 29 degrees Celsius. However, the plant has shown less tolerance when it comes to winter.

In the winter season, you have to be careful with your plant and not place it near a window as it can be harmful. The plant should be provided with a heating system if the temperature drops very low, or else the plant can die.

Lighting

The plant is found in the jungles of Malaysia, where there is shade and no direct exposure to the sun. It can be said that the plant can grow well where there is indirect sunlight.

If you want to grow your plant indoors, place your plant near the window to get sunlight.

Humidity

These plants belong to an area with high rainfall. They need humid conditions to survive. A range of above 40% humidity will be ideal for growing. A humidifier can also be used to meet the requirements if the humidity in your area is low.

Pruning

You have to be careful in pruning a young Begonia Julau plant as it can experience slow growth. However, when a plant matures, it is recommended to prune it for maintenance as it can grow quite tall and have a high chance of falling.

Pruning is also crucial if you notice any dead stems or leaves, as it can affect your plant’s growth.

Fertilizers

If you are changing the plant’s pot, then it will not require the support of any fertilizers. However, fertilizers can be used occasionally to boost your plant’s growth. Liquid fertilizer can be used to meet your plant’s nutritional needs.

The Begonia Julau– a guide to its propagation

The Begonia Julau can be propagated using two methods method of propagation. They are:

  • Propagation of Begonia Julau using stem cutting
  • Propagation of Begonia Julau using leaf cutting

Leaf Cutting Method

  1. Using sanitized equipment cut a leaf from your Begonia Julau plant.
  2. Make sure that the stem is removed from the leaves.
  3. After that, cut your leaves into tiny pieces.
  4. It would help if you were careful as each leaf cutting should have veins.
  5. Insert your leaf straight into the soil.
  6. Observe the plant for a whole month.

Stem Cutting Method

  1. Start by taking stem cuttings of a mother Begonia Julau plant.
  2. Make sure your branch is healthy and has few leaves intact.
  3. Fill your container with a suitable soil mix and punch a small hole towards the bottom of the container for drainage.
  4. Place your container in a position where it is not exposed to direct sunlight.
  5. It should be given water once a week or when needed.
  6. You can also dip your cutting into hormone rooting powder to facilitate growth.
  7. See the growth of your plant regularly.

Summary

Overall, the Begonia Julau plant is a vibrant plant with pink color patterns, which makes the plant extremely beautiful. The attractive color of the plant is why many people like to grow them indoors. Moreover, the plant can be taken care of easily since it can in a huge range of environmental conditions.

There are various ways to propagate the Begonia Julau plant, discussed in the section above. Namely:

  • Propagation via stem cutting.
  • Propagation via leaf cutting.