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Radical color changes in Rex leaves
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Posted by indyrose z5 Indianapolis (My Page) on Sat, Apr 4, 09 at 17:21
| I'm a newbie to begonias, and I have a Rex I purchased last fall that has not exactly grown true to itself! I think it is "Maui Mist," but the plant didn't have the cultivar listed when I bought it. Here is a picture of it -- when I bought it, the leaves were all similar to the lower left in this picture -- kind of a red with green edging and black highlights. Now they are all dark red with black trim, as in the middle, and no green at all.
Is this "normal" with Rexes -- to change color as they grow? Perhaps "normal" to this cultivar? Something to do with the soil/fertilizer/light/whatever? I rather liked the early colors better, and would like to have it back to that, if possible.
Any advice?
Indyrose
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Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Radical color changes in Rex leaves
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| It is perfectly normal for rexes to display different colors depending on age and light conditions. A young leaf can look totally different than a mature leaf. Colors can become more vibrant with lots of light. Another factor is temperature (or possibly age). For example 'Can Can' is usually a dull silver grey all summer but when evening temps start cooling in fall, the color changes to a light pink, and then a very dark pink (almost red) when the temps are in the 40's. It may be the age of the leaf but I tend to think it is temperature related for this particular rex. |
RE: Radical color changes in Rex leaves
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| Sheesh! If the colors change like this, how do you identify individual plants?? Indyrose |
RE: Radical color changes in Rex leaves
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| Most rexes are ID'ed by their mature leaves. If you ever saw the immature leaves of 'Fireworks' in the spring and then the same plant a couple of months later you wouldn't believe it is the same plant. A lot of folks treat rexes as annuals and are only looking for a splash of color and never know the name of the particular rex - just know it as a rex. |
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