Date posted: 19 June 2014
This week’s plant of the week is the Begonia goegoensis which was discovered in Goego, Sumatra. It was first introduced in 1881 and first described by N. E. Brown in 1882. This species of Begonia is rare due to its distinctive attributes, it has large, heavily veined, green-bronze leaves which have a deep reddish underside. Through summer and autumn Begonia goegoensis has beautiful small pink flowers on its long stems.
For many years this species of Begonia has been growing in the Bicentennial Conservatory at Adelaide Botanic Garden, however, over time it was struggling to compete with the other plants in the collection.
Staff in the Mount Lofty Botanic Garden Nursery made it their mission to get this species back to full health. The plant was dug up and taken to the Nursery where it was carefully looked after and leaf cuttings were taken.
The plant is now thriving in the Nursery glasshouse and has been flowering for many months. Propagation of the Begonia goegoensis has been very successful. What an excellent story of survival and propagation!
20 April 2023
Have you noticed a strange looking unit near the First Creek Wetlands at Adelaide Botanic Garden? Did you know this machine is collecting valuable biodiversity data which will be used to safeguard South Australia's Myrtleceae trees against a deadly disease.
03 April 2023
We caught up with Mount Lofty Botanic Garden horticultural supervisor Mark Oborn to get some insider tips for visiting the garden during autumn colours.
