I've never had a begonia before. I just bought this :) (couldn't resist it) It looks a little sad right now 'cause I just repotted it. I've read that they like to climb and it was in a hanging basket when I bought it. I hope it likes it's new home. If it does well I'll HAVE to learn how to do cuttings :) What do ya'll think? Any words of wisdom or advice?
Okay, first of all this is not a begonia but does have the common name "rex begonia vine". It is actually a member of the grape family and is Cissus discolor.
I have not had any luck propagating this vine by cuttings but that doesn't mean that it can't be done. I just play at cuttings with this plant. I find it easier to divide it than take cuttings.
In winter mine will defoliate and the fine vines may dry up to nothing but the main stem is what counts. In summer when I move it back outdoors it quickly sneds out new vines several feet long (ten feet or more) and puts out lush new foliage. I've been doing this for 7 years now.
To keep any leaves on mine during winter in the basement I have to cover it with plastic lids and keep it watered well.
Hmm. I wasn't aware that it wasn't really a begonia. Good to know. I wonder why they call it that?Do you know if it will live outdoors year round in 8a?I would love to see it climbing the side of my shed:) The colors are gorgeous.
Grape family huh?I didn't read any thing about it fruiting or flowering.I'll have to do some research. Thanks for the great info.
Don't expect a lot of flowers (or fruits). It isn't a food vine in that respect.
The colors are gorgeous and that is what makes this a great buy. I don't know how hardy it is but I wouldn't put any money on it being frost hardy (native to Indonesia and Southeast Asia). If you have two plants then you could test one for hardiness. Best bet is to bring it indoors for winter.
cissus discolor is correct. No relation to grape, which is "vitis". Another plant, cissus rhombifolia is called "grape Ivy". in the stores. Hence the confusion. The whole gardening world needs to use their latin!
Cissus is in the "grape family" but is not a grape.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cissus
I am zone 7 and purchased this plant 2 years ago.
I had it growing great in the back on top of my deck which received full/ part sun and it flourished. It climbed all over the rails. I brought it inside and it lost all its leaves and looked half dead then I almost lost hope and was ready to get rid of it. I brought it back out side and it came back to life.
I would keep it indoors and keep it in as much sun as possible.
Mine went into shock and lost most of its leaves. Looks like this is how the plant behaves, dcmole stated the same experience. I did not get a chance to make cuttings obviously. Enjoy it!
As for the information about if its in the grape family? I do not know.. This is your first begonia learning the Latin names is something that you do not need to worry about . Keep it in your container or put it in a pot. Good luck and let us know if you manage to get any cuttings going!
You are on the right track.
I ordered it from Logees and this is what they have on it:
Cissus discolor "Rex Begonia Vine"
A lovely tendril climber, its oval leaves are rich green, patterned with a silvery metallic luster and red beneath. To top it all off, a sprinkling of crimson is dispersed over the young leaves. Best grown warm in diffuse light. Under the cool temperatures of winter, it has a resting period.
Hardy to Zone 10 and higher for outdoors.
Full sun, partial sun or shade, grows to 1-3’ in container, vining in habit, minimum temperature 50°.
Great for a hanging basket!
Logee's is usually very conservative when it comes to minimum temps. I moved one of my cissus vines in about two weeks ago but the other two pots are still outdoors with minimum temps running in the 30's and 40's for the last two weeks. Leaves are still on the vines so I think they may be a bit hardier than we think.
It is easy to let a vine root in another pot and then sever it from the mother plant. Division works as well. Several vines rooted into the ground this year and I hope to pot them up this weekend. Sometimes it is easier to let nature do the propagation for us.
