Begonia 'Spirit of Java' Ø6cm

Begonia 'Spirit of Java' is a collector rex begonia grown for its leaves: each blade begins in a tight spiral and blends deep green at the margin, a wide band of metallic silver and a velvety plum-wine centre. A creeping rhizome, a red underside and hairy petioles complete the picture. An elegant challenge, easy to please with bright indirect light and humid air. Care instructions The good news is that, once you understand where it comes from, this begonia lets itself be recreated at home with a few simple gestures. It grows from a creeping rhizome, so it spreads more than it rises, filling the pot in a season and lending itself beautifully to wide, shallow pots. It is an elegant challenge and a natural step once you have mastered a more forgiving foliage plant - the reward comes quickly, in the form of a new leaf, larger and more colourful than the one before. Here is everything you need to know, gathered in one place: Light: bright but indirect light. An east- or west-facing window filtered through a sheer curtain is ideal. Direct midday sun fades the silver and scorches the margins; too little light, on the other hand, dulls the contrast and thins the leaves. Temperature: it is happiest between 18 and 24 °C, which is exactly the comfort of a home. It favours steady temperatures; keep it from cold winter draughts and the dry air near a radiator. Watering: water when the top 2-3 cm of substrate has dried out, then water thoroughly and let the excess drain away completely. Pour the water at the base of the plant, not over the rhizome and leaves. It does not tolerate 'wet feet': excess water leads to rhizome rot. In winter, water less often. Humidity: it loves humid air, around 50-60% or more. Group it with other plants, set it on a tray of pebbles and water, or use a humidifier. Avoid direct misting of the leaves, which can encourage spotting and mildew. Substrate: a loose, airy, well-drained mix - for example indoor potting soil blended with perlite and coco fibre. A wide pot with drainage holes respects its rhizomatous habit. Feeding: in the growing season, from spring to autumn, feed every 2-4 weeks with a balanced liquid fertiliser diluted to half strength. Stop feeding in winter. Propagation: very easy from leaf cuttings. Take a healthy leaf with its petiole, nick the main veins on the underside and lay it on moist substrate; from each cut a new plantlet will emerge within a few weeks. It is the simplest way to multiply your collection. If small signals appear, do not be discouraged - they are easy to read. Dry, brown margins call for more moisture in the air; powdery whitish patches appear when the air sits too humid and still, and a little airing makes them disappear; pale leaves with faded contrast tell you the plant is reaching for more light. All these adjustments are minor, and the plant responds quickly, putting out new leaves as soon as conditions settle back into place. Once you have mastered this one, your eye will inevitably wander to the next combination of colour - and so a passion for collector begonias begins, alongside cultivars such as Begonia 'Two Face'. Specifications Pot diameter: 6 cm