Rex Begonia Vine

I recently purchased this plant (Cissus discolor) from Logee's and was thrilled to grab this pic of it growing over a rock in the Kanapaha Botanical Garden in Gainesville last week. Hoping to be as successful with my plant!

It's a beauty! I've been tempted every time I see them come up in an Ebay search. But I'll hold off for now. Just curious how big your plant was when it arrived from Logees

begoniacrazii, I have this one too. Maybe I can start one and we can do a trade this spring. What do you think?

I think I'm in! Who would like me to start a cutting of for you, I have a list of begonias, some can be cut now, others not. I also have 14 different plectranthus, 5 or 6 different Tradescantias, TONS of succulents some with known names others not. Let me know. Oh yes, and variegated lipstick vine (aeschynanthus radicans or so it's labeled, but we all know how that goes!)

Sounds great. I'll have to look at your list on the other thread. You sure have a huge collection. I'll have to get back to you.

Begoniacrazzi, this is one of the plants that I picked up during my visit to Logees so I got to make my own selection :) They were only in 2-2.5" pots but all were very healthy. My only complaint was there was not enough soil in the pot as they had massive roots for such a small pot. So far, it's behaving much better than some of the Begonias I picked up. Kicking myself now, because last year during our Florida trip we saw it in a hanging basket at one of our favorite nurseries in Naples - it was huge but I backed off because it was $30.00 and I had heard it was extremely difficult to grow. Stupid huh? Instead I end up spending $7.00 for a 2" pot :(

Yea, that's about what they have on Ebay too. A small pot for like $8 plus shipping. My friend says it's not that hard to grow. I think it's cissus isn't it? If so, Cissus grows like a weed for me. I have one on my porch in a 24" pot (oak leaf cissus) and it's managed to wrap itself around a pink trumpet vine and take off out of the pot. It even takes our BRRRRR...27º and lower!

gotta go look it up now...

Yup, cissus.

http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/89329/index.html

I found that mine like rich but well drained soil. During our 108º summer days, it get's watered every day. Every other day in the spring and fall. It never complains. Hopefully this cissus will behave in the same way.

begoniacrazii, that variegated Lipstick vine sounds intriguing - pictures?? It's such a pretty little plant even without the variegation, would love to see a pic.

I think this is one of the prettiest vines that ever was. It's just temperamental.

Debra, here's a shot of the var. lipstick. It hasn't bloomed yet.

I bought the rex begonia vine on one of the Florida Keys 3 years ago in a large hanging basket for $12. It defoliates for me in the winter (due to light conditions? or is it just the way it behaves?) but has always come back when moved outdoors for summer (maybe that is another reason it is called rex begonia vine). This summer instead of hanging it up in a tree, I put it on the ground and I think it actually grew better there. It defintely loves water if it is hanging up. I would not count on it surviving a freeze but I haven't tested that theory either. Here it is in its glory.

hcmcdole, "in its glory" - I guess!!! Outstanding! I know some people have difficulty with this vine, but I'm willing to give it a shot because I absolutely love it! I always hate bringing these beauties in for the winter, they suffer terribly - but thinking about getting a humidifier to help with the dry air in the house over the winter.

Lali, thanks for the pic - actually went looking for your plant after you posted - maybe another vine I need to try? Sure is pretty when it blooms :)