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What is it? #340017

Asked July 06, 2016, 2:00 PM EDT

And how do I care for it? It maybe a wax plant but not sure which one?

County Michigan

Expert Response

What you are looking at is a cane Begonia... probably Begonia lucerna.  Its full name is Begonia Corallina de Lucerna.  This is a giant begonia that could be as tall as six feet.

A wax plant is Hoya carnosa, a vining plant.  This is not a Hoya.

For a cane begonia:

Temperature: average warmth, no lower than 55 degrees in the winter.

Light: Bright light.  Avoid direct sunlight. A few hours of direct sunlight won't hurt.

Water: keep soil moist.  Best is rain water.

Air humidity:  they prefer air humidity over dry air.

Clay pots work best because they are heavy and the plant can get big.  Make sure it has a drain hole or holes.

Repotting: buy new soil-less potting medium made for indoor plants or greenhouse plants and repot this plant.  There is residue on the soil to tell me that the potting medium is old or it has been over-fertilized or you are using tap water with too many soluble salts, like all tap water has.

Hunt the plant name up on the internet to find out more information about your Cane Begonia.

An Ask Extension Expert Replied July 06, 2016, 3:58 PM EDT

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