Need some Begonia info please

I purchased a Begonia last year that caught my eye at a nursery last year and put it in a pot. I knew nothing about them, and I still know nothing about them....somehow I find them very perplexing/intimidating, with all the different types! I didn't want to lose my Begonia at the end of last season, and I don't know how to do cuttings, so I just brought the whole plant inside, and it was fine. My question is, is there anything special I need to know about regarding re-potting it? It's gotten quite large for it's container, so I guess it is time. I have one that is about 2" bigger, all the way around that I'd like to move it to...I just want to make sure I do it correctly so any tips you can give me on that would be appreciated. I'm only used to moving things like hosta, for the most part.

Also, are these supposed to bloom all season in the summer? Mine only bloomed for a period, and I did not fertilize it other than what came premixed into the potting soil. Should I be supplementing regular fertilizer in addition to the potting soil (Miracle Grow or whatever). Thanks very much.

Here is my Begonia at the start of last season

Here is how it looks today, in the same pot

It looks real nice, so you must be doing something right.

Pam

From your picture I believe it is "Shamus".I have 2 I grow indoors,but I don't have experience with growing them outdoors.Lynn Sorry,second picture is not Shamus.Whichever it is,it requires well drained soil.

This message was edited Jun 2, 2008 12:41 PM

This message was edited Jun 2, 2008 12:43 PM

I went ahead and moved it into a bigger pot, which it turns out may not have been necessary as it wasn't as rootbound as I had expected. Guess it doesn't need lots of roots to put out a lot of growth?

I'm intrigued to know now which Begonia is called "Shamus", as that is my dog's name (his is spelled the Irish way, though: Seamus


Should I be fertilizing with anything regularly to keep it blooming or is it pretty much done for the year once the blooms that are there now pass?

Your begonia looks like 'Cleopatra' to me. You should (or could) fertilize regularly while it is actively growing. Experts recommend slow release and/or 1/2 strength water soluble once a week or every time you water (or whenever you get around to it). There are no hard rules on fertilizer.

You can get 'Shamus' at Rob's Violets but be warned - it can get fairly big. Here is mine after a couple of years (started from a twig in a small rinse cup).

Edited to add: Most or all rhizomatous only bloom once a year and that is usually in spring.

This message was edited Jun 2, 2008 4:51 PM

hcmcdole,
That's Shamus all right.Mine got so big I started another pot,bcause it's so pretty.I also got mine at Rob's as a small start.Mine just blooms once,not all year.Lynn