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help with rex begonias

Posted by mrao77 TX US zone 7 (My Page) on
Thu, Jan 5, 06 at 16:30

I had a pretty good collection of rex for the past couple of years, but this past fall, I nearly lost them all. They are in a bright sunroom( ventilated, not temp controlled)all summer and in winter I close down the windows and put in a room heater so that the night temps dont go below 45-50. This has worked in the past. However, this last fall, most of them lost thier leaves, the rhizones shrunk or turned mush and finally there was no plant at all! I fertlize with liq. sea weed / fish emulsion during the warm months. Can you help me figure out how to keep them alive.
I can email link to my online albumis anyone wishes, I just dont know how to include the link here.
Please help!
M


Follow-Up Postings:

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RE: help with rex begonias

You don't have an email address on your member page so this will have to do.

Rexes (at least most rexes) will lose their leaves in winter. Pick off dead and diseased leaves to keep mildew at a minimum. Do not water heavily during these times ESPECIALLY if the room is cool. You have to give them enough water to keep the rhizomes plump but not too wet else the rhizomes will rot. Not an easy task. Humidity chambers (aquarium comes to mind) may help in this endeavor.

I lost several last year despite being very careful on watering but the ones I lost were in a much cooler room than the ones I did not lose. I actually believe you can put them in a darker cool room (like a garage) and not water them for a month or longer and still be okay (I have done this before but it's hard to gauge when to water).

Almost all of mine this year are doing fine because I have them all under lights and the room is a lot warmer than last year.

Butch


 
 

 

 


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