Begonia maculata: Two Months In

Two months since the first impressions post, which feels like a reasonable point to check in on the Begonia maculata. The short version: it's settled in and is actively growing. The longer version is below.

New Growth

Since mid-February it has produced three new leaves. That might sound modest, but for a plant that was visibly stressed and adjusting to a new environment when I got it, I'm happy with that pace. The first new leaf came slowly and was slightly smaller than the existing ones. The second and third are larger, with more pronounced silver spots and that deep burgundy underside that makes this plant so striking when the light catches it from below.

There's a fourth growth point swelling now that looks like it will open within the next week or two.

Adjusting the Light Distance

I noticed some faint pale patches on one of the older leaves — not crispy, just bleached-looking — and moved the plant about 15 cm further from the grow light. That seems to have fixed it. The newer leaves coming in are a richer, deeper green than the ones from the first few weeks, which I'm taking as a good sign. Getting the grow light distance right is always a bit of trial and error with a new plant.

Watering Update

I'm still top-watering carefully every time the top 2 cm of soil dry out, which has been roughly every four to five days as the days get longer and growth picks up. No bottom watering — I noted in the first post that the stems are prone to rot at the base if they stay wet, and I'm sticking to that. It's not complicated, just requires not getting lazy.

Two months in, this plant is earning its spot. It's more involved than a Pothos, but less drama than I expected going in. The leaves are genuinely extraordinary every time a new one opens.