Delicate and fluffy begonia Cleopatra

I took an unfortunate flower with two leaves from work home for rehabilitation, and he waved it into a lush shaggy bush. The neighbor says it's Cleopatra begonia. Please tell us about this plant. Does she have any special care requirements? I liked the flower so much that I wanted the same for myself.

Begonias are different: some grow tall and with large leaves, while others look like a compact bush with small leaves. It is to the latter that the begonia Cleopatra belongs - one of the miniature varieties of this plant from the Begoniev family.

Cleopatra is also known under the names Boveri begonia, Maple-leaved or "American maple" (for the similarity of the shape of the leaves with the specified tree).

Characteristics of the variety

Begonia Cleopatra grows in the form of a compact bush, the total height of which does not exceed 50 cm. On thin erect stems growing from a basal rosette, small, up to 12 cm in diameter, leaves of a rich olive color with pronounced veins of a lighter tone are attached. The sheet plate is uneven, "cut" into parts, pointed to the ends. It is noteworthy that its reverse side is red, which creates an interesting contrast and play of shades under the sun's rays from different angles.

Characteristic feature varieties is the presence on the leaves and stems of a short light "fluff" - small villi. It seems that the plant is covered with frost.

During flowering, the bush produces a long peduncle, on the top of which there are small white-pink inflorescences.

Cleopatra has flowers of both sexes, due to which small seed pods with three edges ripen in place of female inflorescences.

Features of growing varieties

Like most begonias, Cleopatra prefers diffused light. In addition, she also needs such care measures:

1. Maintaining a comfortable temperature for the plant in the range of 14 to 25 degrees Celsius. Lower or higher values ​​are bad for flowering.
2. Exclusion of places where there are drafts. Also, you can not place the pot near a working radiator.
3. Abundant watering of the flower, but on condition that the water does not stagnate. In constant moist soil, begonia quickly rots and can disappear. It is also dangerous for her and the complete drying out of the earthy coma - the leaves immediately go down.

The lifespan of the Cleopatra begonia bush is on average 4 years. Then it is better to rejuvenate the plant with cuttings in order to maintain the lush and compact shape of the bush.

What to do if begonia Cleopatra has low leaf turgor - video