hi there,

begonias are a varied lot, but are ordered into 8 categories which you can read about on the American Begonia Society website i linked to for you below. the semperflorens and tuberous catagories are the two you are probably thinking about when you use the descriptor "flowery." many begonias from those two groups are used commonly in outdoor garden bedding and in hanging baskets (as in the picture at the top of the page in the main message board).
for houseplants, the rexes, rhizomatous and cane groups are most commonly grown, though there are great plants in the shrub, thick-stem and trailing/scandent category as well. if you read the old messages on this board after deciding on the group that most fascinates you, you'll find some good general care facts. the ABS site will help with culture info, as well as link you to other sites that should be of interest (most notably the houston astro branch of the begonia society).

good luck with your research, and you may soon find yourself with an addiction!
-ming

Here is a link that might be useful: American Begonia Society Virtual Greenhouse

Hello All,
I'm really new to this begonia plant. My mother gave me an Angelwing Begonia, at least that's what se said it was. But I have a major problem with it now and can't figure it out. During the summer i had it outside and it got huge and leafy. when i brought it in it started loosing leaves and now it has no leaves at all, and i've noticed a white powder on the leaves and stems, i wiped it off but it keeps coming back. Does anyone know what this powder is and how do i get rid of it and get this plant to grow again?
Thanks in advance
David

It's usually easier to get an answer if you start your own post, David. That way people will see it easier. You probably have powdery mildew, and the post about mildew you also asked on has a lot of information. In addition, good ventilation is important and may be harder to get in the winter as we don't have our windows open as much, or go in and out a lot. But read the previous post--baking soda, sulphur, Lysol, Neem oil--