Begonia Page 13 - Collector's Begonia
Get ready to fall in love with Begonia Page 13! This absolutely stunning collector's begonia is a real gem that brings a unique combination of gorgeous soft green foliage and spectacular pink-white blooms that'll have you doing double-takes every time you walk past! If you're building your begonia collection or just want something genuinely special and different, this beauty is calling your name!
What makes Begonia Page 13 such a standout is its interesting growth form and that delightful combination of easy-care personality with collector-level appeal. This hardy begonia rewards you with large, showy flowers that appear throughout the growing season, bringing tropical paradise vibes straight into your Australian home! Whether you're a seasoned collector or a beginner looking to step up your plant game, this gorgeous begonia is surprisingly forgiving and will thrive beautifully with the right conditions!
Why Choose Begonia Page 13 for Your Collection?
- Rare Collector's Appeal: A sought-after hybrid variety that's genuinely unique and adds real prestige to your begonia collection - this is one your plant-loving friends will absolutely want to see!
- Stunning Floral Display: Large pink and white flowers create a spectacular show throughout the warmer months, bringing cheerful splendour and tropical vibes to any space!
- Surprisingly Easy-Care: More drought-tolerant than many begonias with a hardy personality that makes it perfect for beginners and busy plant parents alike!
- Unique Foliage Form: Soft green leaves with an interesting growth habit create visual interest even when not in bloom - this beauty looks gorgeous year-round!
- Australian-Grown Quality: Many Australian specimens are grown locally from collector stock, ensuring they're perfectly adapted to our conditions and supporting local growers!
Care Instructions for Australian Conditions
Light Requirements
Your Begonia Page 13 absolutely loves bright, filtered light where it gets plenty of brightness without harsh direct sun! Think a spot near an east or north-facing window (remember we're in the Southern Hemisphere!) where it receives lovely filtered light throughout the day. It can handle some gentle morning sun, but keep it away from intense afternoon rays that can scorch those gorgeous soft leaves. If your Page 13 starts looking a bit leggy or the flowering reduces, that's your cue to move it somewhere brighter! This beauty rewards good light with those spectacular blooms we all adore!
Watering
It's important to only water when it suits the environment your plant is living in - everyone's home is different! Here's where Begonia Page 13 really shines - it's naturally more drought-tolerant than many begonias, making it brilliant for busy plant parents! Keep the soil lightly moist but absolutely avoid soggy conditions which can lead to root rot. Allow the top 2-3cm of soil to dry out between waterings, and remember that if you're using a chunkier, well-draining mix (which we always recommend!), it dries faster than fine, peat-heavy medium. During our warm Australian summer months (December-February), you might water once or twice a week, while in winter (June-August) it could drop to once every 10-14 days. Your Page 13 will tell you what it needs!
Temperature & Humidity
Begonia Page 13 thrives in typical Australian indoor temperatures between 18-26°C, which suits most homes beautifully year-round! Keep it well away from cold draughts, heaters, or air conditioning vents that can stress the plant. Humidity-wise, this begonia appreciates moderate levels (around 50-60%) but isn't as demanding as some of its fussier cousins! The absolute best and easiest way to boost humidity is to group your plants together - they create their own gorgeous little microclimate and look absolutely spectacular as a collection! This works brilliantly in any season but is especially helpful during our drier months.
Potting Medium
Your Begonia Page 13 loves a well-draining potting mix that allows the roots to breathe while holding some moisture! We recommend a lovely blend with orchid bark, perlite, and quality potting mix for that perfect balance. This chunkier medium is brilliant because it prevents water-logging while keeping roots happy and healthy - remember, chunky medium dries faster than fine, peat-heavy medium, so you'll adjust your watering routine accordingly! Repot every 1-2 years or when roots start coming out of the drainage holes, and your Page 13 will reward you with continued vigorous growth and those stunning blooms!
Fertilising
To keep your Begonia Page 13 producing those absolutely gorgeous blooms and maintaining healthy foliage, we recommend feeding with Growth Technology Foliage Focus at every watering (3-5ml per litre) for optimum results! This brilliant formula provides all the nutrients your begonia needs without the risk of nasty salt build-up. Every 2-4 weeks, add Growth Technology Rootzone (1ml per litre) alongside your regular fertiliser to support healthy root development and overall plant vigour. This winning combination ensures your Page 13 stays lush, healthy, and continues rewarding you with those spectacular flowers we all absolutely adore!
Seasonal Care
During our glorious Australian summer months (December-February), your Begonia Page 13 will be actively growing and flowering like crazy! This is when it'll need more frequent watering and you'll see the most spectacular bloom display - enjoy every moment! In autumn and spring (March-May and September-November), you'll notice steady growth and continued flowering as temperatures are perfect. During winter (June-August), your Page 13 will slow down its growth and flowering may pause - this is completely normal! Reduce watering and let it rest a bit. Come spring, it'll bounce back beautifully and reward you with renewed vigour and gorgeous blooms!
Perfect For
- Begonia Collectors: A genuinely rare and sought-after variety that brings serious collector cred to your begonia collection without the fussy care requirements!
- Beginner-Friendly Beauty: More forgiving than many begonias with that brilliant drought-tolerance making it perfect for building your confidence with flowering varieties!
- Bright Indoor Spaces: Home offices, sunrooms, or bright living areas where you'll appreciate both the gorgeous foliage and those spectacular blooms every single day!
- Gift-Worthy Plants: Makes an absolutely stunning gift for plant-loving friends - the combination of rarity and easy care is genuinely special!
- Small Space Gardeners: The manageable size and upright growth habit means you get maximum visual impact without taking over your entire space!
- Flower Lovers: Anyone who wants gorgeous blooms indoors without the high-maintenance drama - this beauty delivers spectacular floral displays with minimal fuss!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Begonia Page 13 toxic to pets?
Begonia Page 13 contains calcium oxalate crystals and is toxic if ingested by cats, dogs, or other pets, so it's best kept away from curious furry friends and children. The good news is that the upright growth habit makes it less accessible than trailing varieties, but if you have particularly adventurous pets, consider placing it on a higher shelf or in a room they don't access. Always better to be safe and keep everyone in your household happy and healthy!
Why isn't my Begonia Page 13 flowering?
If your Page 13 isn't producing those gorgeous blooms, the most common cause is insufficient light! These beauties need bright, filtered light to flower prolifically. Try moving it closer to a window (avoiding harsh direct sun) and you should see buds appearing within a few weeks. Also make sure you're feeding regularly with Growth Technology Foliage Focus - consistent nutrition helps promote those spectacular flowers we all love! Remember that flowering naturally slows or stops during winter, which is completely normal!
Can I propagate Begonia Page 13 easily?
Absolutely, and it's easier than you might think! Begonia Page 13 propagates readily from stem cuttings. Simply take a cutting with 2-3 nodes, remove the lower leaves, and place in water or directly into moist potting mix. You should see roots developing within 2-3 weeks - it's so rewarding watching those baby plants grow! Spring and summer (September-February) are the absolute best times for propagation when the plant is actively growing. Before you know it, you'll have gorgeous baby Page 13s to share with plant-loving friends or expand your own collection!
Why are the leaves on my Begonia Page 13 turning yellow or brown?
Yellowing leaves usually indicate overwatering - check that your soil is drying out appropriately between waterings and ensure excellent drainage! If the yellowing is accompanied by mushy stems, you may have root rot and should repot into fresh, dry potting mix. Brown leaf edges typically mean humidity is too low or the plant is getting too much direct sun - try grouping plants together to boost humidity naturally, or move it to a spot with more filtered light. With a quick adjustment to your care routine, your Page 13 will bounce back beautifully!
Every plant we offer is carefully selected from our premium nursery stock and personally inspected for quality and health before dispatch, ensuring you receive a beautiful specimen ready to thrive in your Australian collection!
Please Note: As living plants, each specimen is unique and may vary in size, leaf count, and exact appearance from the images shown. The photos are representative examples of the quality and characteristics you can expect, but natural variations in shape, colour, and growth patterns make every plant one-of-a-kind. This individuality is part of what makes growing plants so special!
If you are from a quarantine restricted state & would like to purchase this plant we recommend using Paradise Distributors concierge service, make sure to contact them prior to purchasing: info@rareplants.net.au
Shipping & Greenhouse Collection
Let's Talk About How Your Plants Get to You!
Alright, so here's the deal with shipping - we try our best to send all our plants potted and ready to go, but sometimes due to larger orders or when we're moving through some big changes, we'll send some plants semi-bare rooted. If you haven't come across this before, it basically means we carefully remove a bunch of the soil before packing them up. I know that might sound a bit scary if you've never ordered plants online before, but trust me, this is actually a really smart way to do it! The main reason we do this is because it creates so much more room in the box, which means we can fit way more plants in one shipment for you. More plants in one box = more green goodness arriving at your door at once! The plants honestly handle the journey better without all that heavy, wet soil sloshing around too. Just make sure you've got some fresh potting mix ready to go when your green babies arrive, because they'll want to get tucked into their new home pretty quickly!
Now, let's chat about what actually fits in our boxes. We can safely fit about 4-6 plants in one box, or if you're stocking up on supplies, one box can hold 3 bags of medium plus 1L of Growth Technology. We really don't recommend adding heavy items with your plants though - it just puts extra stress on your precious plants during transit and limits how many we can fit. If your order ends up being heavier than our standard box can handle, we'll reach out to you about additional postage fees. We're always transparent about costs, no sneaky surprises!
When Does Everything Ship Out?
Here's how our timeline works - we process and ship orders the week after you place them. So if you order on a Tuesday, your plants will get packed and sent out sometime the following week. We ship Monday through Friday (because let's be real, we all need weekends to recharge!), and we're aiming to get your order out within 4-6 business days of processing. Sometimes things take a tiny bit longer because we're a small but mighty team, and we take absolute care in making sure every single plant is packed perfectly. Like, we're talking individual attention for each plant here. We don't rush this stuff!
Once your order ships, you'll get an email with your tracking number. If you haven't received that tracking email, it just means we're still working on your order - it hasn't left us yet. Please be patient with us! We promise we're working as fast as we can while still making sure everything is done right. We pack orders in chronological order to keep things fair for everyone, so no one's getting special treatment or jumping the queue. First come, first served, that's how we roll!
The Journey to Your Doorstep
All our orders ship with Australia Post, and here's something cool - they operate 24/7! That means even if your order gets sent out on a Friday afternoon, it's still making its way to you over the weekend. The postal system doesn't sleep, and honestly, that's pretty amazing for getting plants to you quickly. You can generally expect your plants to arrive within 2-7 days after we ship them, depending on where you are in Australia. Metro areas tend to be quicker, regional spots might take the full week, but either way, your tracking number will keep you in the loop the whole time.
And here's the thing that always blows people's minds - our plants are absolute troopers. We've tested this extensively, and they can genuinely survive in their boxes for up to three weeks if needed. Obviously we don't want them sitting around that long, but life happens, mail gets delayed sometimes, and we want you to know that your plants are prepped and ready to handle whatever the postal system throws at them. While we do our best to avoid delays, occasional unforeseen circumstances may slightly impact delivery times, but rest assured, your plants are packed with extra care and are tougher than you think!
Quarantine States (WA, NT, TAS)
We currently only ship directly to non-quarantine states. Unfortunately, biosecurity restrictions make it pretty complicated to send plants to Western Australia, Northern Territory, and Tasmania. But don't worry, we've got a solution for you! If you're from a quarantine restricted state and would like to purchase plants from us, we recommend using Paradise Distributors' concierge service. They're absolute legends and can handle all the biosecurity paperwork and requirements for you. Make sure to contact them prior to purchasing so they can give you all the details and help you out: info@rareplants.net.au
Come Visit the Greenhouse! (Rockdale)
If you're local or just love the idea of picking up your order in person, we've got you covered! Greenhouse collection from our Rockdale location is available the same week you make your purchase. Our opening hours are always changing, so make sure to check booking availability on our 'Visit the Greenhouse' page before purchasing. After you've paid for your order, just head over and book a time slot that works for you. You'll get to pick up your plants AND have a wander through the greenhouse while you're here, which honestly is such a vibe. Just please wear a mask if you're feeling unwell - it's a small space and we want to keep everyone safe and healthy!
Catch Us at Markets!
We do regular markets around Sydney and would love to meet you in person! If you'd prefer to skip shipping altogether and grab your order at one of our market stalls, just email us at info@growinggroundsaustralia.com and we can arrange collection at an upcoming market. It's a great way to chat plants face-to-face, see what else we've got on the day, and save on postage!
Questions? We're Here for You!
If you've got any questions about shipping, tracking, or literally anything else, please don't hesitate to contact us at info@growinggroundsaustralia.com. We love chatting with you guys and we're always happy to help troubleshoot, answer questions, or just talk plants!
Much love from the GG's Team 🌱
