I purchased several of these and they were beautiful. They are planted in my mostly filtered sun/shade sandy garden.
Should mine still be looking like this?
How do I take care of them?
Please wait until I post the next picture before answering.
I have more questions about it.
Sidney
Okay here is what the plant looks like now. the little fleshy "thingies" that are where all the flowers were, are those seed of some kind? Should I leave them alone? Should I remove them? If so when? and should I plant them?
Also should they stay in the ground?
Thanks for all your help.
Sidney
Sidney, it looks like from your first photo that you have a Reiger Begonia (Begonia hiemalis) http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/55110/index.html
Yes those fleshy thingies are the spent flower parts. I personally remove them so the plant will not attempt making seed and send it's energy to a rebloom. I also fertilize with 1/3 strength every week or every other week.
Looks like you are growing yours outside and I dont have any experience with growing them outside (too cold even in my heated greenhouse) but perhaps another Reiger fan can tell you.
I generally just purchase them as 'cut flowers' as they dont hold up well here. But they are so hard to resist and they seem to be priced well so some always hop in my basket. =º)
good luck! they have some very cool hybrids out now!
I tried googling for 'begonia hiemalis care' and got several hits. You may want to try that too.
According to this web site, they say http://www.countryflowerfarms.com/flower4.html
* Water thoroughly when the soil is dry to touch.
* Do not allow the plant to sit in water.
* Will flower continuously if provided proper care.
* Fertilize every 2 weeks Spring-Summer and once a month Fall and Winter.
I can't tell you how much I appreciate the advice. These dern Reiger Begonias have been flirting with me for years.
I have warm weather here until mid November or so. I do have them in the front garden as the timed sprinkler waters them regularily. I will remove the Thingys and even try a cutting or two. I'll fertilize weakly, weekly.
I have several colors. They are so pretty.
Sidney
I kill them dead so fast it makes my head spin. But my Mom had 2 from one of my Father's death baskets that lived till she died 2 years later. She had them on her windowsill. And the last 3 months of her life she was in the hospital so they only got watered when I came for long visits and stayed in her house.
Well I dead headed yesterday and will move them to pots or a less watered spot.
Thanks for all the help.
Sidney
