I usually am over in the orchid forum but was recently given 6 different begonia clippings and don't know the first thing about the kind of culture they need. Can anyone here give me a general idea how to care for them and some links to sites that will give me the best culture info and help in iding what I have? The begoina's I was told are grown more for their leaves than for their flowers. Don't know if that makes a difference in the type of care they need.

Thanks for your help!

Larissa

Welcome to the wacky, wild, wonderful world of begonias. This is supposed to be the second biggest group of plants behind orchids but I'm just repeating what I have read elsewhere.

Most begonias need a fast draining potting soil. I'd suggest a quality potting mix and possibly amend with Perlite. Begonais can be grown in plastic and clay pots. If you have a heavy hand when it comes to watering then you might prefer to start with clay pots especially if you have rhizomatous begonias.

Here are a handful of web sites that can get you started.

Brad's Begonia World is an excellent site for getting starting.

Brad's Begonia

The Houston branch of the ABS is a great site to help ID a lot of begonias and in my opinion is better than the ABS site.

ABSASTRO site

The ABS site is a gateway to what is available in the ABS (local chapters) and some pictures - again a bit of a disappointment.

American Begonia Society site

If you need nurseries to purchase from then I'd suggest Kartuz, Logees, Rob's Violets as the best for quick deliveries. Palm Hammock Orchid Estates, Glasshouse Works, Antonelli's, and Lauray of Salisbury have a lot of begonias to select from but they really are poor on shipping (some are 3 months and then you have to write or call them to find out what is going on). Some eBay sellers have nice plants but there are some bums there as well.