I got a leaf cutting 2 years ago and this is what I have is there any infor If I water to much or wrong to put under lites or on a heat Mat It seam that it is taking so long to get going? This one was taken today and I will send The same one from Nov 07
You no I think its called Beefsteak not beefeater I must want a drink LOL ^_^ Except I have quite drinking for now,
Thanks
Dimmer(AKA) Kim
This message was edited May 9, 2008 7:53 AM
And this one is from Nov Of 07
This message was edited May 9, 2008 6:48 AM
Hi Kim. This is my favorite Begonia and it is so easy to grow. I think you did a good job growing it from a leaf cutting. It looks good. You didn't say where you are growing it, but it likes bright indirect light, so maybe a better light or natural light will help it along. Heat mat is not necessary unless it is in a cold room. Unlike most begonias, it doesn't mind getting dry, so I water when the top of the soil appears dry. If you have hard water where you live, I would give it filtered water or rain water when available.
It has a lot of common names: Beefsteak, Kidney, Water Lilly. There is a lot of good information at this link for the PlantFiles
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/62923/
Thanks that is great help I have it under lites high and on the matt so maybe I will move it Thanks
Kim
Here is an Update on my plants I stuck it out side in shade and sun and this is it today
I just love my Beefsteak Begonia; I got a cutting from my grandma about 5 years ago. It started out with 4 leaves on it, but now it is about 3 feet around and about a foot tall! I admit that I too baby all of my plants! I don't give it much water, but when it is time to water, I soak it ;and let it get a little dry between waterings. This year it had 16 bloom stems covered with it's flowers. I have a few pictures of it for my book that I;m in the process of writing. And I am going to recieve a Begonia Gehertii, in September, so I'm anxious to get it!
That is really great this is the first and I just got a leaf from a friend of mine I had no Idea that it got flowers can you take a picture?
Dimmer
I find my begonias love to be foliar fed. They just perk right up and put out lots of new growth. Looks like yours is doing great.
Kell, I grow mine under lights. If the leaves are red, does this mean I have it too close to the lights???? It's pretty, but I wonder if it's supposed to be green!:)
GrowHappy,
I think new leaves are usually bronzy-red and mature to a dark green whether indoors or out. Are you saying all your leaves are red?
Here is one I bought as B. 'San Miguel' from a local nursery. I knew it wasn't that but it wasn't the classic beefsteak (B. 'Erythrophylla') either. It was different enough to buy it though. There must be a bunch of beefsteak type begonias out there.
Butch, yes, they are bronzy-red, but some seem to stay that way even after reaching maturity. the others look olive green, which I think is normal. Maybe it's just the back of the leaf showing through under the flo. lights???? Perhaps I need more sleep.....:)
It may be the lights but if they look healthy I wouldn't worry about it.
I don't remember seeing my beefsteak showing those kinds of colors even under lights. Maybe yours is something other than the normal beefsteak? A rare sport? Have you got a picture of it?
Here is my normal "beefsteak" (B. 'Erythrophylla') under a shade tree. The one in the middle of the pot with some red edges is B. 'Essie Hunt'.
