How to Grow Bertolonia - Planting & Caring

By Sharon & Team   /   Herbaceous Category   /   2023

Bertolonia, also known as the Brazilian Begonia, is a genus of flowering plants in the family Begoniaceae. The genus comprises about 80 species, all native to South America. Bertolonia plants are shrubs or herbs with opposite, simple leaves and small flowers borne in the leaf axils. The flowers are usually white, pink, or red, and have four or five petals.

How to Grow Bertolonia - Planting & Caring

Growing Easiness

Is it easy to grow Bertolonia plant? Since it is a native South American plant, it is quite easy to grow in warm climates and does not require much attention. It blooms in the spring and summer, and its flowers are very fragrant.

Plant Size

How big can it be? Unless the plant is a miniature variety, most Bertolonia plants will grow to be about 20 cm in size. This makes them small enough to be used as accent plants or to fill in gaps in a border. They can also be grown in containers.

Growth Rate

How fast is the growth? The Bertolonia plant is a species of flowering plant in the coffee family, Rubiaceae, that is native to the Atlantic Forest ecoregion of Brazil. It is a small shrub or vine that grows in shady areas. The leaves are opposite, simple, and have a wavy margin. The flowers are white, borne in clusters, and have four petals. The fruit is a black drupe. The Bertolonia plant is a small shrub or vine that grows in shady areas and is native to the Atlantic Forest ecoregion of Brazil. The leaves of the plant are opposite, simple, and have a wavy margin. The flowers of the plant are white, borne in clusters, and have four petals. The fruit of the plant is a black drupe.

Bertolonia Basic Knowledge

Plant Form Herbaceous
Family Melastomataceae
Origin Tropics of Brazil

Lifespan, Perennial or Annuals

How long is the lifespan? When it comes to the lifespan of a Bertolonia plant, it is not very long. In fact, it survives indoors with difficulty. The plant is native to Brazil and is a member of the family Melastomataceae. The plant typically only lives for two to three years.

Ideal Temperature

What is the ideal temperature? Unless it’s really hot, Bertolonia prefer nights that are cool to intermediate in temperature. They also like it on the drier side during the winter months. If the temperature drops below 60.8 degrees Fahrenheit, the leaves may start to drop.

Humidity

What about the humidity? The Bertolonia plant is native to the Amazon rainforest and requires very high humidity to grow. The plant can be found in the understory of the rainforest, where it receives filtered sunlight. The soil must be kept moist, but not wet, and the temperature should be warm, but not hot.

Light Requirement

What amount of light this plant needed? Eventually, after a series of experiments conducted by the author, it was found that the optimal location for the plant is at the southern or south-west or north-shading window. The main condition for the success of the experiments was the use of special lamps that create additional lighting.

Soil Composition

What is good soil for Bertolonia? Unless you’re growing a bromeliad, Bertolonia is not the genus for you. These terrestrial plants are found in the rainforests of South America and need a very specific type of soil to survive. The mix should be one part peat, one part humus, and one part sand. If you can’t find a humus product, you can substitute with equal parts of potting soil and compost.

Watering Time

How much I must water Bertolonia? Because the leaves are very thin and fragile, it is necessary to water the plant very carefully so that the water does not fall on the leaves. Water the plant as soon as the soil dries to a depth of 1 cm.

Fertilizing and Nutritient

About fertilizer. Sometimes, we forget to fertilize our plants, and then we wonder why they become sickly and die. Fertilizer is essential for plant health, just like water and sunlight. The best way to fertilize your Bertolonia plant is to do it about once a month, using a liquid fertilizer. This will help to keep the plant healthy and provide it with the nutrients it needs to grow.

Reproduction

How to reproduce Bertolonia? The Bertolonia plant can reproduce through cuttings taken from the plant in spring when the temperature is 77 degrees Fahrenheit. The cuttings can be rooted in sand or peat and will grow into a new plant. The Bertolonia plant can also reproduce by seeds.

Bloom

Why Bertolonia won't bloom? Since the plant is pollinated by bees, the flowers open early in the morning when the bees are most active. Each flower only blooms for one day, but the plant produces many flowers over an extended period of time. The flowers are a deep purple color and have a rosette shape. They are approximately 2 cm in diameter.

Transfer or Repotting

How much I must water Bertolonia? Sometimes, it is necessary to transfer your Bertolonia plant into a new pot. This should be done every 2-3 years as the stems begin to cover the soil and hang from the edge of the pot. The best time to transfer your plant is during the spring or summer.

Caring The Bertolonia

How to care the plant? Although Bertolonia thrive in high humidity, good air circulation is also important. The plants do best in a terrarium where they can be grown in a sphagnum moss and perlite mixture.

Pests & Challenges

What is the challenge when caring Bertolonia plant? Unless the leaves are kept very dry, they will develop either gray rot or powdery mildew. These two diseases are very difficult to control and often lead to the death of the plant. Bertolonia are native to the tropical regions of South America and grow best in warm, humid climates. They prefer to grow in partial shade, but can tolerate full sun if the leaves are kept moist. The soil should be well-drained and rich in organic matter.

Toxic & Poisonous Type

Are Bertolonia poisonous? Sometimes, the plant is deliberately consumed as a suicide method. – The Bertolonia plant is a member of the coffee family and is native to South America. The plant contains high levels of toxicity and can be fatal if consumed. Sometimes, the plant is deliberately consumed as a suicide method. Symptoms of Bertolonia poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and seizures. If you suspect that someone has consumed the Bertolonia plant, seek medical attention immediately.