Do Rex Begonias like sun or shade?
Rex begonias require indirect or dappled sunlight. Too much direct sun can scorch their leaves, while too little light can cause the colors to fade. Choose a location with filtered light, such as under a tree or along a shaded patio. Like many houseplants, Rex begonias should be fertilized when they are actively growing. Use a dilute, quarter-strength, water soluble fertilizer once every 2 to 3 weeks during the growing season. Refrain from fertilizing from October until there is new growth in the spring.Size: Most Rex Begonias grow to be about 12 to 18 inches tall and wide (30-45 cm), making them an ideal size for tabletop displays or indoor plant arrangements.Pruning and Propagating Your Rex Begonia Pruning keeps your Rex Begonia looking neat and encourages bushy, healthy growth. Pruning Tips: Remove any dead or damaged leaves to keep the plant looking tidy and healthy.Rex Begonias are a bit more of a challenge for indoor growing, but with a high humidity level can be gorgeous with bright filtered light when overwintering begonias indoors. These plants like constant moderate moisture, high humidity, and regular fertilization. They do not go dormant, so never allow them to dry out.
Is Begonia rex poisonous?
Popular for their show-stopping foliage, Rex Begonias have thick, asymmetrical leaves that feature an astounding assortment of colors, patterns, and sizes. They are sometimes sold as annuals in Minnesota, but Rex Begonias also prosper as houseplants. Take heed that all Begonias are toxic to pets and humans if ingested. Companion Plants: Rex Begonias pair well with ferns and hostas for a lush, woodland aesthetic. Consider planting them with shade loving bloomers, especially if taller; these begonia plants’ foliage are the perfect artful accompaniment when planted as an accent in front of taller plants.Re-Potting: Rex begonias are rhizomatous plants that grow from a shallow and knobby rhizome. As such, they do best in large, relatively shallow pots where the rhizome has room to spread.These plants have a moderate growth rate, which means they may grow to less than 12 inches in a year. The splashy rex begonia is toxic to animals.Pests: Rex begonias are susceptible to mealybugs, spider mites, and aphids. Treat infestations with insecticidal soap or neem oil. Diseases: Powdery mildew and root rot are common issues. Ensure proper air circulation and avoid waterlogging the soil.
Can a rex begonia grow in water?
Rex begonias can be propagated in water, by cuttings, or by division. Rhizomatous begonias such as the rex begonia can be easily propagated by rhizome division, layering, or leaf-tip cuttings. New growth takes about six weeks to emerge. Although they can bloom, Rex Begonias or the painted-leaf plant as they are also known, are usually grown for their striking and colorful foliage. With large leaves in shades of green and silver to pink and purple, the Rex Begonia will add an injection of color wherever it is placed.Begonia rex is actually a rhizomatous Begonia, but it had such a striking leaf color and was crossed to so many other kinds of Begonias that it developed into a class of its own.Popular for their show-stopping foliage, Rex Begonias have thick, asymmetrical leaves that feature an astounding assortment of colors, patterns, and sizes. They are sometimes sold as annuals in Minnesota, but Rex Begonias also prosper as houseplants. Take heed that all Begonias are toxic to pets and humans if ingested.Although they can bloom, Rex Begonias or the painted-leaf plant as they are also known, are usually grown for their striking and colorful foliage. With large leaves in shades of green and silver to pink and purple, the Rex Begonia will add an injection of color wherever it is placed.
How do you care for a Begonia rex?
The begonia rex ‘Hugh McLauchlan’ needs bright, indirect light to thrive. Place your plant in a spot that receives bright but filtered light, like a north-facing window or a shaded area of a south-facing window. Try to avoid exposing your plant to direct sunlight, as it can cause its delicate leaves to burn and wilt. Planting, Ongoing Care, Pests & Diseases and FAQ Begonias are tried and trusted container, bedding and hanging basket plants beloved by many gardeners and with the array of varieties available, you can have begonias in flower for many months during the summer months right up until the first frosts of winter.When Will They Flower? Most tuberous varieties will flower from mid-summer, often June. They will then provide you with months of floral charm for the summer garden, lasting until the early autumn (September/October). Begonia tubers and corms can be watered once planted as often as is needed.Soil: Begonias prefer rich, well-drained soil. For those in pots, use a high quality all-purpose potting mix. Make sure containers have adequate drainage holes. Watering: Keep soil evenly moist but not soggy.Fresh-cut begonia flowers in a vase usually last around 5 to 10 days, while potted begonias can bloom for weeks or even months with proper care. Some types even bloom off and on throughout the year. In short, these lovely flowers give you plenty of time to enjoy their beauty, especially if you treat them well.
Is rex begonia a good indoor plant?
Despite its exotic looks, Rex begonia is actually easy to grow. Because it’s a relatively short houseplant, Rex begonia is perfect for desks and tabletops where is wildly colorful, variegated foliage makes it a perfect contrast against other houseplants. If planted in the garden (a relatively rare occurrence), rex begonia is grown as an annual in all but the warmest climates. Because these are primarily foliage plants, careful cultivation is important to realize their full beauty.Begonias in this group like to be kept lightly moist and lightly fertilized all winter and do not go dormant, so never dry them out entirely. Most are winter flowering and can provide not only beautiful foliage but also sprays of white to pink flowers in late winter.If you are planting your begonias in a garden bed, make sure to choose a spot with the right amount of light and well-drained soil. If you are growing them in pots, use a high quality, humus-rich growing mix. Pots must have drainage holes on the bottom, so the roots can breathe, and excess water can drain away.Begonias are tolerant of a range of light conditions, from full sun to shade. In colder climates, plants can tolerate more light.
Do begonias grow better in pots or ground?
Soggy or waterlogged soil is particularly troublesome for begonias with tubers or rhizomes underground that will quickly rot if they are too wet. Begonias will happily grow in pots, just use a suitable potting mix like Scotts Osmocote Rose, Gardenia, Azalea & Camellia Mix and get a pot with good drainage. Potential pests you may encounter include mites, mealybugs, scale, whiteflies, nematodes, and slugs/snails. Diseases that begonias are prone to include bacterial leaf spot, powdery mildew, botrytis, Pythium root rot, and rhizoctonia crown rot.Some diseases that could affect your begonias are bacterial leaf spot, powdery mildew, botrytis, Pythium root rot, and rhizoctonia crown rot. Some signs that your plant may have bacterial leaf spot are water-soaked areas on leaves surrounded by yellow rings. Some stem rot may also be present.When watering your Begonia, opt for distilled water or rainwater if possible, as the plant can be sensitive to the dissolved salts in tap water. This sensitivity can cause some browning of the leaves, which is typically not fatal to the plant, but can detract from your Begonia’s appearance.It’s time to add beautiful flowers and flashy foliage to your home. Begonias are popular outdoor annuals for the garden, but they make elegant indoor plants as well.