Scroll to explore forms of Begonia soli-mutata
Full Specimen Plate
Begonia soli-mutata
Sun-Change Begonia
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Market Analysis
Begonia soli-mutata Price Guide & Auction Value
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Before You Buy
Species-specific things to check when evaluating a listing
- Check for powdery mildew — a white dusty coating on leaf surfaces, especially in dry conditions; it spreads rapidly between plants
- Inspect for mealybugs at leaf axils and the underside of stems where they hide in white cottony deposits
- Rhizome begonias should show firm, healthy rhizome tissue — avoid plants with soft, discoloured rhizomes
- Most begonias ship well as leaf cuttings — if buying a cutting, ensure it has a healthy petiole and no signs of rot at the cut end
Begonia soli-mutata Morphology
About Begonia soli-mutata
Begonia soli-mutata, described by L.B.Smith and Schubert, is a rare rhizomatous species native to the humid forests of southeastern Brazil — growing on the forest floor in warm, shaded, consistently moist conditions, creeping through leaf litter and humus-rich soil in the sheltered understory. The name 'soli-mutata' (sun-changed) refers to a distinctive property: the leaf colouration shifts in response to light intensity, with the dark emerald to olive-green surface tones altering perceptibly as conditions change, so the plant can appear slightly different at different times of day. The leaves are strongly bullate and quilted, asymmetrical and rounded to ovate, with deep blistered zones and contrasting lime-green venation and banding, the undersides rich red to burgundy. A creeping rhizome spreads along the forest floor, rooting at nodes to form low colonies.
Native Range
Brazil
Propagation Guide
How to Propagate Begonia soli-mutata
3-5 months
Cultivar character is preserved through vegetative cuttings
Most rhizomatous begonias root readily from leaf sections or petiole cuttings placed on moist substrate. Keep warm and humid until plantlets emerge at leaf margins.
Care Guide
Begonia soli-mutata Care Guide & Growing Conditions
Light, well-draining mix: 50% perlite, 30% potting compost, 20% orchid bark. Begonias are susceptible to root rot — excellent drainage is essential.
Allow the top half of the substrate to dry between waterings. Water at the base — wet leaves invite fungal problems. Reduce in winter.
50–70%. More tolerant of average indoor humidity than tropical aroids, but consistent moisture prevents crispy leaf margins.
Balanced liquid fertiliser at quarter strength every 2–3 weeks during the growing season. Do not feed in winter.
Every 12–18 months in spring. Begonias like shallow, wide pots that suit rhizomatous growth. Don't bury the rhizome.
Common Problems
Powdery mildew
Poor air circulation combined with high humidity
Improve airflow; avoid wetting leaves; treat with a dilute bicarbonate of soda spray
Botrytis (grey mould)
Overwatering, dead leaves left on plant, poor air circulation
Remove dead foliage promptly; increase airflow; reduce watering
Leggy stems
Insufficient light
Move to a brighter position — begonias need good indirect light to maintain compact growth
Colour That Evolves
A southeastern Brazilian begonia whose leaves change colour as they mature, starting bronze or reddish-purple on emergence and settling to dark green with bold veining at maturity. Sol-mutata references this solar colour change. From shaded humid forest floor with the typical requirements of Brazilian Atlantic Forest specialists: consistent humidity, good drainage, indirect light. The colour change over leaf maturation gives the plant a dynamic quality that static-leaf species lack — you are effectively growing two plants at once depending on which leaf age you are observing. An interesting one.
