Does anyone have experience with this variety? I was lucky to find a 6 in pot at my local nursery. On the way hone I stopped at another nursery and unfortunately left this begonia in my hot car. One hour later ... it looked dreadfully wilted. I watered it so the soil was moist but not soggy and I deadheaded the leaves that got sunburned. Now 3 days later the healthy leaves are still droopy looking, although the newly forming leaves are OK. Did I kill it?
Any suggestions?
Care of Begonia Fireflush with heat/sun stress
It should regroup. How does it look now?
Thanks for the answer. I actually placed it outside in the shade and now, 5 days later it has perked up again and looks great.
I felt very lucky to get 6 inch pot of this variety, one of Iron cross and one of Taurus at my local nursery. I nearly wanted to kick myself for mistreating Fireflush but it's OK now.
That's great! I just purchased an 'Escargot' from Logee's. It was droopy looking, but otherwise healthy, when it arrived in the mail. 2 or 3 days of watering outside in the shade perked it right up. It is so pretty. I've ordered a bunch more rex begonias from 'Violet Barn'. I can't wait for their arrival next week. This is my latest obsession with plants. It's so much fun!
Pam
Hi PamelaQ
I think I've got the same " disease " that you do. I have just completely fallen head over heels with Rex begonias. I have ordered some Accents for home and garden (even though they had several bad reviews) but the plants I got were healthy. I got them faster than any other nurseries.
I saw you also participated in Lorraine mini-coop. I can't wait to see what she's got for us for the fall.
As for the Violet Barn, I have been eyeing them as well. Just waiting for my next paycheck.... :)
BTW, I also got Escargot in a 3 inch pot from a local nursery. It wasn't labeled but its signature leaf gives it away. I am glad I didn't have to order it.
Rosalie
Where are you putting all of yours? Since I have just started my affair with begonias, I am just keeping them in a temporary shady area and the little starts from the recent co-op are in my small greenhouse for growing out some more.
I just bought a bunch of different size clay pots to put some in here shortly. I got the saucers, too, since they like bottom watering. So far, I am watering them with a watering can that has a pointy spout to get in under the leaves. With all our humidity, I'm not too sure if it matters much if they get somewhat spashed on, since the humidity sort of does that, anyway.
I'm trying to decide on an area to create for all of them. You know, the 'Begonia Spot'.
Giggle...
At this time, many of my collectible are under the shade of my Oakleaf hydrangeas, literally sitting in a little bit of water in nursery tray. I obtained 2 round shallow dish that people use for cacti. They measure 16 in in diameter. I plan on putting my collection of miniatures there ( tiger kitten, marmeduke, eyelash, fuji island). With the medium varieties, I will blend them into my window boxes. With the largest varieties, I plant on mixing them in planters with shades plants like the new Heucheras ( that I am also in love with this year).
I am also tempted to plant some directly into the ground. I saw this amazing picture of escargot somewhere in the begonia forum from somebody who planted it in the ground and it got huge!
As for the plugs from Lorraine, I think I am going to plant the survivors in 4 inch claypot, maybe 3 to a clay pot and see what happens. I saw that nurseries plant several in one pot so I'll try to do the same.
I'll send pictures of the completed projects soon.
Yeah! I think I saw the same dream picture.
This one? http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/fp.php?pid=5025468
That is something I would love to create. WOW! I can handle the table.......
Yes that IS the picture. What an inspiration! Yes I love the table too. What do you think the other rex begonia next to the escargot is? Fireworks?
Could be or maybe 'Tornado'.
My experience with 'Fireflush' and 'Curly Fireflush' as well is that they are both rather finiky plants. They have a very low tolerance to changes in growing conditions. I managed to keep 'Fireflush' reasonably happy through the summer in the shade with consistently moist soil. It did not survive the transition to indoor conditions even after I put it under a glass cloche to up the humidity. I had even worse experience with 'Curly Fireflush'. It never settled in to conditions in my home. Took it out of its shipping box and it was dead within two weeks. As gorgeous as they are, I'm giving up on those two.
I find it best to leave this indoors in a terrarium at least to begin with. I've had mine over a year now in the basement. It is in a clear plastic salad bowl with no drainage holes and planted in a very fast draining medium. It pushed the top off (a deep cake plastic dome) and I propped the lid up with bamboo skewers. I took the lid off a couple of weeks ago and it is holding its own but I'm concerned about mildew now. I'm doing the same thing with several other fussy begonias - sizemorea, u308, variegata, rajah, and 'Midnight Sun' to name a few.
B. sizemorea surprised me with some blooms this week and they have a light fragrance.
That begonia is just beautiful. You did great!