Begonia Tamaya, also known as the bamboo begonia because of its long bamboo-like stem, is a tropical begonia that grows well in warm climates.
It has large, bright green leaves with soft polka dots and blooms with very noticeable bright red flowers.
This begonia is easy to grow, needs little attention, and can be grown in a wide range of soils.
In this article, we will give you basic information on what kind of plant begonia tamaya is and how to care for bamboo begonia plants.
Table of Contents
What is Begonia Tamaya?
Begonia tamaya is a houseplant belonging to the Begoniaceae family. It has green elliptical leaves that have soft silver spots.
It is a distinct plant that has thick stems that make it look like a bonsai or miniature tree.
This begonia plant also blooms reddish, pink to carmine flowers, making it look great as an indoor or outdoor plant.
The botanical name is Begonia Maculata Tamaya, Begonia Albopicta Tamaya, or Begonia Corallina Tamaya, while it is commonly known as the Bamboo begonia.
Since the Begonia Maculata Tamaya is native to Central and South America, the best location to grow it will be either indoors or outdoors, but only in tropical and subtropical climates such as USDA hardiness zones 8 to 11.
If given proper care and the right environment, Begonia Tamaya plants can grow as tall as 8–16 inches.
How to Care for Begonia Tamaya?
Begonia maculata tamaya is a resilient plant that does not need much care or attention to survive.
However, if you want it to thrive, it will be necessary to pay attention to some basic needs. Read on and we will go into some basic care for Begonia Tamaya care.
Temperatures and Climate
Begonia maculata tamaya will grow better in temperatures around 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
While it is preferable to grow these plants indoors, they can face danger if planted outdoors. However, if you live in a subtropical environment, you can grow them outside.
USDA hardiness zones 8 to 11 are ideal when you grow it outside.
As for humidity, bamboo begonia plants thrive in high-humidity environments. In fact, you mist them frequently or keep them in high humidity areas such as the bathroom or kitchen.
Light
Expose Begonia tamaya plants to bright, indirect light. If you have a hard time getting them enough light, artificial lights, such as grow lights, can also be used.
Though Begonia Corallina Tamaya needs bright light, you need to be careful when you place it in direct sunlight because the light may burn the leaves.
Burns from the direct sun can make the pink flowers pale or turn the leaves yellow. Move your plant when you notice any color changes in the plant.
Gardeners recommend that these plants be placed near a south-facing window or, when planted outside, under tree shade.
Watering
Water your Begonia Corallina Tamaya plants thoroughly when the soil is dry. Then be patient and wait till you notice the soil is dry before watering again.
However, make sure you only do this in the summer, as watering these plants in the winter is pointless because they are in their dormant phase during this time.
Unfortunately, if you don’t wait for the soil to dry, the moist soil will become a good environment for bacteria or pests to grow. In the worst case, the soggy soil may cause root rot.
While you should be more concerned about overwatering, underwatering is also a problem.
Some gardeners make the mistake of not watering their Begonia Corallina Tamaya plants enough. Underwatering may lead to wilted flowers or drooping leaves.
Soil
Begonia maculata tamaya plants love soil that is well-draining and rich in nutrients. The soil should also be slightly acidic with a balanced ph level.
If you want to make your own potting soil, creating good soil for your Begonia tamaya is not difficult.
A mix of potting soil and soil amendments such as perlite and peat moss makes for an excellent potting mix.
Fertilizer
Fertilize Begonia tamaya only during the growing season with a balanced fertilizer.
A general fertilizer will contain all the essential elements like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
When applying fertilizer, dilute it first. The reason for this is that you don’t want to over-fertilize your plant.
The recommendation is to apply half of the labeled directions on your fertilizer.
Propagation
Propagate Begonia tamaya plants by using stem cuttings.
First, cut the stems with a pair of clean pruning scissors. Make sure the stem cuttings have a few leaves on them.
After that, immerse the stem cuttings in the water and place them in bright light. To aid the rooting process, consider using rooting hormone or rooting powder.
Once you notice roots growing, transfer the stem cutting into a potting mix as a final step.
Finally, choose rich well-draining soil and use a pot with drainage holes.
Common Pests
Mealybugs and spider mites are some of the most common pests that infest the Begonia Tamaya plant.
These pests can be removed by applying insecticides or cleaning with cotton balls dipped in rubbing alcohol.
Neem oil can be used for pest control and preventative measures .
Diseases
Begonia tamaya plants can be infected by bacterial leaf spot and root rot. Bacterial leaf spot occurs when a bacterial pathogen infects the plant.
Unfortunately, leaf spot is incurable and the only way to get rid of it is to cut off the infected portion of the leaf.
Make sure you don’t wet the leaves, as wet leaves create a great environment for the bacteria to grow.
As for root rot, it is caused by overwatering. You’ll need to pull your plant out of the pot and inspect the roots.
If your begonia tamaya has root rot, you will need to cut the infected portions and repot them into new soil and a new pot.
Conclusion
Begonia tamaya is a beautiful plant that requires very little care. It is a beautiful and low-maintenance plant that can be a great addition to any home.
By following these simple steps, you can ensure that your Begonia tamaya thrives for years to come!
Other Types of Begonias to Consider
Begonia tamaya is just one example amongst other types of begonias to think about when choosing a plant for your home or garden.
For example, cane begonias have tall, tuberous begonias are small, compact plants used for bedding, or fibrous begonia for their flashy blooms.
Look further for other types of Begonias to grow in your garden.
References
Lindsey Hyland grew up in Arizona where she studied at the University of Arizona’s Controlled Environment Agriculture Center. She continued her gardening education by working on organic farms in both rural and urban settings. She started UrbanOrganicYield.com to share gardening tips and tactics. She’s happy to talk about succulents and houseplants or vegetables and herbs – or just about anything in a backyard garden or hydroponics garden.