The Million Dollar Begonia

 

     You heard it here first --- This Begonia hybrid, (malachosticta X amphioxus),  will be a successful commercial houseplant.

    Since none have been sold yet, this is a wild prediction.  Check back in 3-4 years to see what happens.

    The one parent --- amphioxus, has proven to be good houseplant.  It has shiny pointed leaves with pink spots.  We call it 'Spotted Lizard' --- It's pointed on both ends.

    I'm trying to collect any hybrid with amphioxus in it.  This is the best one so far.  It grows quickly, branches, and has bigger leaves than amphioxus.  Until a hybrid name shows up, we will call it 'Painted Lizard'.

    I have evaluated a lot of new plants over the years and I am betting on this one.

    There will be 1-2 years of stock build up and testing.  We will sell it in the third and fourth year.

    Hide and watch.

    

    

The Name

The Name.

 

            By talking to a lot of smart people, the Begonia common name that is floating to the top is --- Spotted Lizard.  Thanks to all who played along.

 

            The angel-wing leaf is pointy on both ends like a lizard.  It seems more spotted than speckled.

 

            If we call it the “Spotted Lizard” Begonia, will we sell more?

 

            We know that if it’s called Begonia amphioxus, it will not be called by name.

 

            ‘Spotted Lizard” Begonia --- it might catch on.

Begonia - Name?

What is a RARE plant worth?

 

Begonia amphioxis grown by Vicky

What is a Rare plant worth?

 

            Supply and demand still works.

 

            A rare houseplant, by definition, has low supply.  The price can be high if you can find one.

 

            We constantly look for the next ‘hot’ plant.  It’s where the money is.

 

            A new plant I’ve found is Begonia amphioxus.  It’s small with bright spots on pointy angel wing leaves.  It can survive drought, therefore an easy houseplant.  What is it worth?

 

            If I sell it for $5.00 wholesale, it will be $10 - $15 retail.  Is that a fair price?

 

            Because there are so few available, some indoor gardener will want it enough to pay that price.

 

            If I had 10,000, what would the price be?

 

            It’s still a great plant at any price.

We need a good common name.

Begonia - Common Name?

 

We need a good common name.

 

            By now we know that Begonia amphioxus is a good houseplant.

 

            It just has a bad name.

 

            We need to get serious about naming the Begonia something that is pronounceable and catches your attention.  It has angel wing leaves that are pointy on both ends.

 

            So far, we have:

 

            Spotted Lizard

            Red Dot

            Butterfly

            Spotted Angel

            Red Dot Angel

            Shiny Spots

            Spotted Double Point

            Pointy Angel Wing

            Rings of Fire

            Poison Dart Frog

            Cinnamon Red Hots.

            Confetti

            Speckled Lizard Tongue

  Blood Dot

  Scarlet Feather

  Blood Drop

 

            Whoever uses a good common name first and sells the most plants, wins the game.           

 

It's better than I thought!

 

Begonia amphioxus

It’s even better than I thought.

 

Begonia amphioxus is an interesting plant to look at.  With narrow leaves and bright reddish spots, it is worth having in your collection.  We just need a good common name.

 

            The one I have at the North window does fine with no additional humidity needed.

 

            But here is how it’s better.

 

I went on vacation, and it was not watered for 12 days.  When I got back, it was very dry but suffered no damage --- no brown leaves or leaf drop.  The slight wilt perked up with water.

 

            Begonia amphioxus is the perfect houseplant.  Everybody should have one.