These are my first begonias, other than the ones I have always bought along with the impatiens and petunias to plant outside. Wow! Who knew they could be this beautiful?
The first two came from HD, and looked a bit sad. I could use some tips on what to do for them, as well.
Here's #1. It has a pinkish-purple iridescent sheen to the leaves. One leaf has turned yellow, and one has turned bright red. They are all red underneath.
#2 This one has a pinkish-silver hue to the entire leaf.
I forgot to mention that all three are marked only "Rex Begonia"
And #3 The spots are metallic silver.
Thanks for your help. I've looked them up, but wasn't able to positively identify them. They're so beautiful, I want to care for them correctly so they'll thrive!
RG
Rain, I believe the third is b. 'Medora' it's one that HD carries from Exotic Angel Plants (it may have had the Tom Ment tag at one point) It's a 'cane' variety. The two rexes have been emailed to one of my friends who does rexes.
If your house is heated for the winter, get a humidifier. They really like humidity. don't over water. Just when you see it begin to get dry. (I also use a moisture meter) and if you can make a pebble tray for them I would. I get some very nice pebbles from the fish store (the pet store kind). It's shiny and looks like mini river rock. Not the blue kind you put in the tank, but you get the idea.
If you are brave, I might even remove the soil and make a blend with about 40% planting mix, 40 % perlite and 20% play sand. I also add orchid bark or if you have it cinder rock. The thing is that they love to have plenty of air pockets around their roots. Some of the commercial mixes are generic for all that they grow. good for some plants bad for others sometimes too spongy with peat. I use this type of mix here, but my climate is different. Just know that if you make it well draining but retains moisture - not soggy, you should be good. I'll look at my books to see what they say about soil mixes.
Cheers,
Lali
Thanks, Lali! I guess I'll try to repot them soon. I've never had great luck with my outside begonias, so I'm hoping I'll do better having these in the house. I'm thinking of getting on of the little greenhouse rack thingies at Dollar General. It basically looks like a small metal baker's rack with a plastic zippered cover over it. Maybe these would do well in there. We do heat during the winter, and when it's really cold we use gas heat, so that makes it really dry in here.
Just wondering, but why do I need to be brave to remove the soil? Now you've scared me! LOL I use Miracle Gro potting mix and perlite for the vast majority of my plants. Would that be alright for these?
Thanks again!
RG
I say do it! Take a look at this thread. http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/556072/
If we had a Dollar general her, i'd go buy one myself. It think it woulb be great to have one as an 'isolation ward'
But a perfect way to generate and maintian humidity!
I've removed the soil on plants before that were doing relatively well and ended up killing them by accident. I just didn't want you to think of it as 'expert' advise, kill you plants and then say "Lali made me do it" (lol)
I just know some commercial mixes are junk. Check to see what is in your present mix that came in the pot. it might be just fine!
p.s. here are my new rexys. They JUMPED into my cart and begged me to take them home. How could I say no?
Those are gorgeous! I love the iridescence in these plants. I never knew leaves could have that. I'm really happy to have found these plants! You don't suppose this is another plant addiction forming, do you?? Some hoyas jumped into my buggy at Lowe's just like that! How odd! ;o)
What is the plant in the top right of your picture?
RG
Begonias addicting? How would I know? (big belly laugh)
I almost can't pass one up even if I have it already! How sick is that!??
begoniacrazii
Your new basket is sooooooooo prety and you have excellent collection.
Check this site
http://www.stbegonias.com/begonias.htm
Kaleem
Thanks Kaleem, I'm sorry I forgot to email you back re trades, I'll get to more email later
thanks for the link, I've been there before, one day I'll make a page of begonia links that I use for references.
How's the weather over there in Pakistan? Lovely I hope.
Laurie
Laurie
I forgot that you are begoniacrazii ..... every plant lover always check and want to see beautiful plants related wesite..... you were all ready there, thats nice...................
Weather is .....um.... 32 F in winters and 115 F in summers. We also have rainy season and that goes up to two months, summer is about two moths and all the season weather is very pleasant.
Kaleem
Just wondering, Lali, did your friend get back with you about what those two begonias are? I still haven't braved repotting them. They seem to be doing alright now that they've settled in at my house. Maybe today...maybe not. LOL
Thanks!
RG
The first one he couldn't ID, but thought the second one was rex 'Silver Dollar'. But only if the size of the leaves were about the size of a silver dollar.
If they are still doing well in their pots, perhaps just leave them alone. You know, if it ain't broken,.....
I'm fairly certain the third is medora
