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new to rex begonias
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Posted by indyrose z5 Indianapolis (My Page) on Sat, Feb 7, 09 at 22:21
| I'm a long-time gardener, but I just bought my first rex begonias this fall, and they seem to be doing quite well. The plants did not have the cultivar listed (the tag just said "Rex Begonia"). I think I have "Maui Mist" -- does that one have a metallic sheen to the whole leaf? The other I am pretty sure is "Super Curl" -- and, boy, does it curl!! I especially like rexes for that metallic look, the curled style, and the flamboyant colors.
I'd like to get more rexes, but I noticed that the exchange forum here has been dormant for a while. When will that pick up again? I have a lot of other plants I can trade for rexes. (See my exchange page.)
Indyrose |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: new to rex begonias
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| Congrats on buying your first rexes this fall. You are so right on the flamboyant colors and lots of them have silver colors in their leaves giving them the metallic look. Lots of people eschew rexes because they have a couple of inherent problems - they defoliate in winter (usually) and are very mildew prone when cooler temps hit but with the right care they can make a statement each and every year and are very easy to propagate. Here are some of mine from the last few years. 
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RE: new to rex begonias
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| WOW! I love your collection!Hopefully I can have a similar collection someday. I need to bring all of mine indoors because of our harsh winters, but I have a hobby greenhouse so I can do that -- plus my propagation/germination station in the basement next to the boiler and lights.I'm a bit scared to try to propagate the "Super Curl" right now, as it only has 5 (huge!) leaves, but I hope the picks up growing in the spring. The "Maui Mist" is going quite well. It looks like I've come to the right forum! Indyrose |
RE: new to rex begonias
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| Do not be afraid to try propagating rex leaves - they are probably the easiest to do as long as they are healthy and green (not old and yellowing). What can happen with rexes is they develop some fungal disease or get heavily infested with mildew - then you lose all your leaves plus the rhizome may rot as well due to the grower's soil. If you start some new plants from some of the leaves then you learn as you go, add a bit of insurance against loss, and grow new plants in your own soil mix. I have lost dozens of rexes over the last several years so now the one thing I try to do is start new plants ASAP. If the mother plant is healthy and happy it will soon put out new leaves anyway. |
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