Sometimes called painted-leaf begonias or fancy-leaf begonias, these plants are known for their showy, sometimes jaw-dropping leaf coloration. In winter, the plant produces pink flowers that really contrast with the foliage well. The traditional rich coloring of rex begonia leaves fit perfectly into the contemporary style palette of interior decorators. Rex Begonia 'Peace', Begoniaceae. Officially listed at 12-16 inches tall, my bigger of two plants is twice that, and wider. Set the plant aside and water just enough to keep the stem firm – once a week or every ten days. Poisons made specifically for these pests can be used to control them. Sometimes called painted-leaf begonias or fancy-leaf begonias, these plants are known for their showy, sometimes jaw-dropping leaf coloration. Above: Begonia rex ‘Red Tango’ mixes well with other shade- and humidity-loving plants such as asparagus ferns and geraniums. ‘Little Brother Montgomery:’ Though the catalogs say this fibrous cane type gets to 16 inches tall (true in a small pot), my oldest ‘Little Brother’ is really a ‘Big Brother’—a shrub-sized thing of more than 3 feet high and wide (not counting the 14-inch-wide pot). A glass or plastic case is a great aid in growing rex begonias in the house. The first Rex begonia was found in Assam, India, in 1858, where they grow to perfection in a tropical region of dense forest. Propagation is possible from leaf wedge cuttings. The beef-steak begonia has many leaf colors that can be identified by the hairs on the leaves and the succulent nature of the stem. Rexes are relatively free of disease, and few pests attack them. Welcome! The plant family Begoniaceae is a large family of over 1,000 species of begonias. They may be left in the flat and fed every two weeks with liquid food until they are three or four inches high and ready for three-inch pots. Most Rex varieties bloom in the fall or early winter. A Begonia Rex plant, also called a Painted-Leaf Begonia, a Fancy-Leaf Begonia, or King Begonia, is a colorful perennial flowering plant that originally came from India. Check out the best begonia varieties here. When the seed pod begins to turn brown, it is ripe and ready to be picked. Buy Begonia Rex | Painted Leaf Begonia online at Paling Horticulture.com. Sprinkle the seeds thinly over the damp moss and do not cover them. Then place the leaf with its top surface uppermost on a seed tray of sandy cuttings compost. Place at least one inch of broken crockery in the bottom of the pot before filling the container with the soil mixture. When the seedlings have four to six leaves, transplant to a flat of peat moss and sand. It is wise to start with less expensive varieties. We recommend garden safe diatomaceous earth for slug control. Saved by Diane Potter. Begonias thrive in part shade to full shade. Culture of rex begonias differs slightly from that of more commonly grown begonias. ‘Marmaduke’ (above right) is a rhizomatous type; a robust grower with the most spectacular dimpled leaves that are chartreuse-spotted-in-red. Compared to the previous bronze leaf seed types on the market before, these begonias have phenomenal branching, an even, rounded habit and double the bloom count for more noticeable color. They thrive under indoor fluorescent plant grow lights with perhaps slightly less light than African violets require. Bright light, such as a west window or bright east one. Most forms grown today originate from species native to Brazil, such as B. stipulacea and B. maculata. Hundreds of different named variety Rex begonias like ‘escargot begonia’ are available from commercial growers with many leaf different and exciting colorations. The 5-6" plant is shipped in 2.5" nursery pot. Wet feet or soggy soil, ever (no standing in saucers of water, or watering before dry). Tie the branches loosely to the stakes with soft yarn, or use soft twistem wire for tying. Rhizomatous begonias range in size from quite small to immense with 3-foot (1 m.) leaves, although their size is in breadth not height. They are also broad and serrated (also called toothed) on the margins. Rex: Rex begonias are entirely their own class of begonia. See more ideas about begonia, perennial flowering plants, tree farms. It is grown for its large colourful leaves rather than its small pink flowers. What's more, the compact houseplant is easy to take care of. In the offseason, the begonias are a little less thrilled with our shared digs, since low humidity with the heat on and drafty, cold spots under 55ish degrees are not to their liking. They are then divided and treated like young seedlings. They frequently have large leaves (up to 6 in. The conditions under which the Rex is found growing in its native climate are indicative of the requirements the plant needs when growing in the greenhouse, sunroom, enclosed porch or indoors. Lovers of the Rex begonias consider them the most, brilliant and majestic of all foliage plants, earning the fitting title “King of the Begonias.”. And among plants with showy foliage, the fancy-leaf or rex begonias have no rival. Exotic Begonia rex fan shaped leaves with luminous orange underside. Image zoom Here I am propagating a new plant : All you have to do is cut a leaf and place its stem in a moist soil; in a few months, new leaves should appear, and this indicates it has taken root and is ready to be potted. Trim mature leaves to three inches and cut between the large veins. WHEN I TALKED to Doug Tallamy in February around the publication date of his latest book, “Nature’s Best Hope,” I didn’t want to go on and on about the advice in it regarding smart fall cleanup, which is one of the ways I know I’ve dramatically shifted the way I manage my own garden compared to 10 or even five years ago. A few hours of direct sun offseason; filtered in summer. IN LATE WINTER ‘YOU JUST TRY TO KEEP THEM BARELY ALIVE,’ Mobee Weinstein said when we met at a professional event one recent February. I was lamenting my winter-weary collection back at home, and consoled to hear from a pro that I wasn’t abusing my begonias, plants that Mobee, longtime foreman of gardeners for the New York Botanical Garden, introduced me to early on in our gardening careers. I Keep the plant moist, but avoid overwatering. A small clear plastic seed tray with good drainage and damp screened sphagnum moss pressed down firmly is ideal for seed sowing. CARE INFO. The fancy leaf begonia known as the REX likes warm, humid conditions in filtered sunlight. Want to plan your most ecologically minded garden cleanup ever, and understand the consequences of each potential action you can take—including next spring? As an example, the old-time variety call ‘Curly Fireflush’ has dark green leaves, edged in black, with the entire leaf covered in red hairs. Rexes can also be grown in pots using the double pot method. By: Maureen Gilmer. Make sure to regularly water the houseplant. Keep moist but not drippy wet. My picks of garden gear, books, and mulch, mulch more, all things I use myself. Your email address will not be published. Dip the wedge in a rooting hormone, and set 1/4-inch deep at an angle in the rooting medium. Begonia Rex - painted-leaf begonias or fancy-leaf begonias - with interesting coiled variegated leaf in green grey and reddish pink Begonia is a genus of perennial flowering plants. When repotting your begonias, use Black Gold African Violet Mix, which is formulated to resemble the soils beneath tropical forest canopies. It is a miracle when they sprout so readily in about ten days. Temperatures under high-50s or better yet, 60 (this is where I fail; my brightest winter spots are in the too-cool-for-comfort mudroom). Line the large pot with damp sphagnum moss and set the small pot with your Rex inside. Affiliate Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. (One newer acquisition, from Logee’s, is the very showy orange-leafed ‘Autumn Ember,’ below.). Begonia … These plants were noted for their dark leaves with prominent silvery grey bands. STEWARTSBLOG …for the love of business. Although, you may hear it referred to as king begonia or fancy-leaf begonia. Generally, a soil that grows quality African violets should be satisfactory for Rex begonias. The fancy leaf begonia known as the REX likes warm, humid conditions in filtered sunlight. Place the top on the tray and set in a warm, dark place to germinate. Begonia leaves come in a variety of shapes, sizes, color combinations, and patterns. The potting soil must always be kept moist. Quantity. Your email address will not be published. COMMON NAMES. The outer edges of the leaf are typically a dark green while the inner portion can be colored shades of pink, red, silver, or purple. Begonias can be high-maintenance at times, but the end result of having a beautiful, flowering plant is well worth it. Leaf cuttings of certain types such as Begonia masoniana and B. rex hybrids may be taken in May or June. THE PRIMITIVE CELLAR of my old house has the usual features: a furnace, water heater and such. Press Esc to cancel. If you have a table in a dark corner you could have a fluorescent light unit placed over it, is an ideal place should for your rex begonias. Spotlight On Fancy Leaf Begonias January 10, 2012 12:00 pm. Margaret's weekly public-radio show, from Robin Hood Radio in Sharon, CT, the smallest NPR station in the nation. Its new leaves resemble red velvet, and the beautiful white flowers are very fragrant. (Stream it below,  read the illustrated transcript or subscribe free.). Jul 25, 2017 - Résultats de recherche d'images pour « begonia black fancy » Want a longer list of possibilities? Listen live at 8:30 AM EDT Mondays, to the replay Saturday morning, or stream the podcast anytime. Rex Begonia, also known as the painted leaf begonia or fancy leaf begonia, is a tropical perennial famous for its large, multicolored leaves. Rex begonia (Begonia rex-cultorum) is a semi-tropical perennial plant that makes a great houseplant. Types of Caladiums . The genus contains about 1,400 different plant species. I’m Margaret Roach, a leading garden writer for 30 years—at ‘Martha Stewart Living,’ ‘Newsday,’ and in three books. The plant was originally from Southeast Asia, but has become a favorite small container plant for speciality plant growers. Growing Fancy Leaf Begonias, Indoors And Out A Way To Garden; Jezioro Sieniawskie – Wikipedia, Wolna Encyklopedia; St James’s Palace – Wikipedia, Wolna Encyklopedia; Vintage Wrist Watch Vostok Men S Mechanical By Sovietera; Kserostomia – Wikipedia, Wolna Encyklopedia; Mortal Kombat Trilogy — … Feeding frequently but lightly is much better than an overdose. I host a public-radio podcast; I also lecture, plus hold tours at my 2.3-acre Hudson Valley (NY) Zone 5B garden, and always say no to chemicals and yes to great plants. Painted Leaf Begonia, Rex Begonia, Fancy Leaf Begonia, Begonia rex-cultorum . growing fancy-leaf begonias, indoors and out. Most Beautiful Caladiums Varieties 1. It is recorded that in 1856, when orchids were being shipped from India to England, amongst the orchids they found a strange little plant with interestingly patterned leaves - a Rex begonia. Rex leaves have intriguing colors and patterns on them. With over 20 years of experience in the plant nursery industry, Paling Horticulture will deliver the best Begonia … Use a well-balanced fertilizer like Miracle-Gro plant food every two weeks, and be sure to follow the instructions given for house plants. Sep 27, 2013 - Explore Plaidpoppy's board "Begonia", followed by 758 people on Pinterest. Begonia leaves can come in a variety of intriguing colors and patterns. Begonia Rex is a popular and well-known tropical Begonia plant variety. the expert of all experts, Brad Thompson, in explaining how. Rex: Rex begonias are entirely their own class of begonia. The beef-steak begonia has many leaf colors that can be identified by the hairs on the leaves and the succu… The leaf stems are long, erect, very fleshy and hairy. ‘Black Fancy’ is rhizomatous, but more compact than ‘Marmaduke’ and with the deepest-color, smooth leaves that have wine-colored undersides. Put two or three plants in a 14-inch pot and you’ll have a shrub in no time. Begonias look great indoors and out with ferns, of course—a classic Victorian combination—and my friend Mobee from NYBG is expert on those, too. Put it in an open envelope or dish until it dries completely and the seeds are ready to be tapped out of the papery seed pod. Do not cover the leaf with the rooting medium, but cover the stem a quarter of an inch. 'horticultural how-to and woo-woo' | margaret roach, head gardener. The begonia has both of these lovely features. Escargot: The distinctive spiral pattern in the leaves made ‘Escargot’ one of the most popular rex begonia varieties. long) that are brightly colored in various shades of green, red, silver, and even purple. The use of nitrate of potash through the winter will keep the leaves firm and prevent dropping. IN LATE WINTER ‘YOU JUST TRY TO KEEP THEM BARELY ALIVE,’ Mobee Weinstein said when we met at a professional event one recent February. But we were looking ahead to spring then, not fall. The leaves of rex begonias will root and produce more plants exactly like the one from which the leaf has been taken. Use a porous potting mix in a relatively shallow pot, and feed the plant regularly. Begonias are particularly useful for bedding purposes and, if planted in beds which are enriched with well rotted or leaf mould will make a fine show. Wax begonia leaves can be bronze, red or green, but they always grow in an alternate pattern. Most Beautiful Caladiums Varieties 1. Prune the plants in spring before new growth starts, leaving two nodes or leaves on each branch. In summary, the begonia is an awesome plant. Begonia Rex - painted-leaf begonias or fancy-leaf begonias - with interesting coiled variegated leaf in green grey and reddish pink Begonia is a genus of perennial flowering plants. Your link to Brad Thompson is not working. ). They are rhizomatous, meaning they typically grow horizontally and with shortened stems. Cane-stemmed begonias are woody, fibrous-rooted, evergreen tender perennials. Learn how your comment data is processed. (Disclosure: includes affiliate links.). Small plants grow from the bottom of the wedge. They are rhizomatous, meaning they typically grow horizontally and with shortened stems. I just call them all fancy-leaf begonias, but they divide into several structural groups: Though I am not in Zone 10 (minimum temperature 30-40 degrees F), where they’d be hardy, fancy-leaf begonias play an important role in my summer garden, anyhow, spending some of May through September or so outdoors, weather permitting. Fancy-leaf begonia 'Alaska Creek' Begonia rex Beleaf® 'Alaska Creek' Splashes of pink & white Enchanting splashes of colour. The commonly-grown varieties of Rex, however, seldom become more than 18″ inches tall. Transplant the seedlings two inches apart, being careful not to damage the small roots when separating them. Do I sense another houseplant collection in my future? Unlike most begonias, which are grown for their flowers, the painted-leaf begonia is a foliage plant. Some varieties are upright growers where the rhizome grows into a vertical position, making a plant reach maybe two to three feet tall. Fancy Leaf Begonia The Rex https://plantcaretoday.com/fancy-leaf-begonia.html Last Updated: May 30, 2020 Rex begonias are striking known as painted-leaf begonias or fancy-leaf begonias because of their stunning leaf coloration. Use mature, vigorous Rex leaves from a healthy plant, leaving the leaf’s stem intact. Perhaps my favorites are the fancy-leaved begonias I have been amassing over the last 15 or so years. They love those months of high humidity, growing happily in the filtered light to the east of the house (above) where they spare me from buying lots of annuals for “color” along the front path, thanks to their spectacular leaves. Types of Caladiums . We'll respect your privacy and unsubscribe at any time. Above: Begonia rex ‘Red Tango’ mixes well with other shade- and humidity-loving plants such as asparagus ferns and geraniums. I could not do better than the expert of all experts, Brad Thompson, in explaining how. After the little specks of green begin to appear, gradually remove the top of the seed tray and bring the plants into more light. Plantcaretoday.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, Scindapsus Pictus Care: Tips On Growing Satin Pothos, Old Man Cactus: How To Grow and Care For Cephalocereus Senilis, How To Care For Crassula Rupestris | The Baby Necklace Vine, Learn Mistletoe Cactus Care: Growing Rhipsalis Plants, Fertilizing Knockout Roses: How To Tips | Recommended Fertilizers, Crossandra Plant Care: Tips On Growing The Firecracker Flower, Spider Plant Care: Growing Chlorophytum Comosum. Angel wing begonias on the other hand have long leaves shaped like cones and have fine hairs on their margins. Each variety’s stunningly fancy color scheme adds the perfect polish to the dark, masculine silhouetted foliage for a look that is guaranteed to stand out in the garden. Officially listed at 12-16 inches tall, my bigger of two plants is twice that, and wider. Some try scattering cabbage or lettuce leaves about in the evening to help. I HAVE SO MANY BEGONIAS IN MY CARE OVER HERE, I could probably do a ‘Begonia of the Week’ series all gardening season long. Jul 15, 2018 - Begonia Rex ‘Merry Christmas' A Begonia Rex plant, also called a Painted-Leaf Begonia, a Fancy-Leaf Begonia, or King Begonia, is a colourful perennial flowering plant that originally came from India. Its texture, water holding ability and PH are ideal for these royal begonias. In fact, they are also referred to as ‘fancy-leaf,’ ‘painted leaf,’ or ‘king’ begonias. My begonias are at their lowpoint foliage-wise around then but some are always flowering anyhow—’tis the season. PRO TIP: I have found that 1/4 teaspoon of nitrate of potash to a six-inch pot will produce strong leaves and beautiful blossoms. Use bamboo cane stakes to keep the uprights in presentable condition. By entering your email address you agree to receive a daily email newsletter from Plant Care Today. Either way, all of these names mean the same plant. Mar 26, 2018 - Explore Bench Farms State Route 2's board "Fancy leaf geraniums" on Pinterest. Choose newly matured leaves. My favorite easy fancy-leaf begonias: ‘Marmaduke’ (above right) is a rhizomatous type; a robust grower with the most spectacular dimpled leaves that are chartreuse-spotted-in-red. You and I are nature’s best hope, and I’m glad Doug joined me again to help us learn to support it. Be sure to use a sharp knife that will not bruise the leaf. Rex begonias grow from a fleshy root-like tuber called a “rhizome.”. Whether from pieces of rhizome, leaves, tips or stems, many fancy-leaf begonias are easy to propagate. Keep moist, not wet, and place in a warm, shaded place. growing tuberous begonias, callas, and eucomis, with dugald cameron, growing fancy-leaf begonias, indoors and out. Be careful to include a small portion of the main stem with each wedge. A must-have for begonia and size tubers supplied. If plants are put outdoors in the summer, they must be in a very protected location that is cool and damp. Flower stalks are held above the foliage. This gives a compact plant with fresh, new growth. Image zoom Here I am propagating a new plant : All you have to do is cut a leaf and place its stem in a moist soil; in a few months, new leaves should appear, and this indicates it has taken root and is ready to be potted. These facts tell us that in our homes they must be kept moist, in a fibrous rich soil, fast draining. I’ M ALWAYS LOOKING for ways to make my many houseplants, especially the fancy-leaf begonias, feel more at home year-round–especially through the hot, dry wintertime indoors.