Rare, new Begonia from Costa Rica - Unusual leaves and fruit

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Rare, new Begonia from Costa Rica - Unusual leaves and fruit:
$52.00

Just when you thought you\'ve seen everything comes this awesome, new Costa Rican Begonia. This cloud forest species makes wacky, star-shaped fruit with an eerie, alien look! It also has terrific leaves that are covered in soft, red hairs. This very distinctive Begonia is new to cultivation, and probably is a new, unnamed species. It\'s a great botanical novelty, and it\'s easy to grow when given the right conditions. I don\'t know anyone else offering it.

The plant makes long, attractive shoots that trail and climb about 2 to 3 feet in all directions, which makes it well-suited for a hanging planter. Its 4 inch leaves have wavy margins and bright burgundy undersides. The top side of the leaves are covered in curved, red hairs, whose purpose is unknown. The plant flowers all year, with clusters of 3 or 4 pinkish blooms along the length of the shoots. The ovaries form these bizarre, horned fruits that start out lime-green, then turn pink, and finally white. They are 1½ inches across and are fleshy & moist, quite unlike most Begonias, which have dry capsules. It might be able to cross-breed with some other Begonia species, to create new & interesting hybrids.

It likes conditions favored by cool- and intermediate-temperature Orchids, which is to say about 60 to 75 degrees F (18-24°C) during the day, and 50 to 70°F (16-21°C) at night. I have no experience with it outside those temperatures. It\'s possible that high heat might stress it, especially if nights are warm. I don\'t think it can survive frost. It likes a loose, well-draining soil mix, preferably with some fine-grade bark or large perlite chunks mixed in. Try to keep the soil evenly moist (but not soggy). It likes bright, filtered light, and will probably need protection from strong afternoon sun. Over about 50% humidity is best for this cloud forest plant.

This sale is for a packet of at least 20 fresh seeds. The germination rate is excellent when you follow the tips on my website - Promptly sent in a padded envelope. Outside the United States, a tracking number is free if your country is listed here; otherwise it is available for an additional $15 (request it after the sale). Please contact me if you have any questions.

Save on shipping when you win one of my other items (request a combined invoice to receive discounted shipping). Not all plants can receive discounted shipping. Please email me with any questions.

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Strange Wonderful Things is your source for exotic, hard-to-find plants that bring the excitement back into gardening! Most of the plants in my collection are rarely seen in nurseries, and a few are sold nowhere else on the internet. I am a low-volume grower and don\'t produce many plants, so if you see something you like, please offer early! I personally answer all emails, and provide free \"technical support\" through my website. - Good growing! - Jeff

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