Begonia Rex Care

 

The botanical name of Begonia Rex is Begonia rex-cultorum and the plant is also commonly known as painted-leaf begonia or fancy-leaf begonia. The Begonia Rex plant is a semi-tropical perennial plant known for its large variegated leaves in brightly colored shades of red, green, silver, and even purple. The Begonia Rex plants are typically grown as an outdoor container plant or houseplant. The Begonia Rex plants are round in shape and usually reach a height and diameter of 8 to twelve inches. 

Furthermore, it can be really challenging to find just the right conditions for this type of begonia to display its best leaf color. Light requirement for growing the plant is not usually the issue but temperature can be a challenge. The ideal daytime temperature requirement for growing this plant to thrive hover around seventy degree Fahrenheit, nighttime temperatures around sixty degree Fahrenheit, and indoors, a constant humidity level around fifty percent would suffice. Note that the Begonia Rex plant is toxic to animals.

Begonia Rex plant Info

The common name: The common name is Begonia Rex.

The botanical name: The botanical name is Begonia rex-cultorum.

The family: the Begonia Rex plant belongs to Begoniaceae family.

The plant type: the Begonia Rex  plant is an herbaceous perennial plant.

The mature size: The mature size is about twelve to eighteen inches tall, with similar spread.

The sun exposure: Begonia Rex plant prefers partial, shade.

The soil type: Begonia Rex  plant does well in a well drained soil.

The soil pH: Acidic

USDA Hardiness zones: Ten to eleven.

The native area: Begonia Rex plant is native to Asia.

Plant toxicity: The plant is toxic to pets. 

Types of Begonias Rex

The Begonia Rex is actually the basis for hundreds of hybrids, and its forms are too many to count. The resulting hybrids are often known in the trade only by fancy trade names that are used to market the plants. Some of the recent hybrid cultivars include:

-         The Begonia ‘Avatar variety: The Begonia ‘Avatar variety is bred by Byron Martin and it has silvery pale green leaves touched with light purple and pink accents, and deep purple veining in its frilly-edged leaves.

-         The Begonia ‘China Curl’ variety: The Begonia ‘China Curl’ has large tear-drop shaped leaves that have spiral variegation patterns that alternate deep purple black and pale silver-green.

-         The Begonia ‘Curly Fireflush’ variety: The Begonia ‘Curly Fireflush’ is a richly-colored heirloom that has pale yellow-green leaves edged with deep burgundy, with a pale lilac flush at the center. The Begonia ‘Curly Fireflush’ is originally called 'Bettina Rothschild' when introduced in 1866.

-         The Begonia ‘Emerald Wave variety: The Begonia ‘Emerald Wave variety has dramatic spiraling leaves of emerald green and deep plum purple. Below is the image.

-         The Begonia ‘Fireworks’ variety: The Begonia ‘Fireworks’ variety is a compact plant with a striking appearance, the Begonia ‘Fireworks’ has silver heart shaped leaves with dark red veining and pale plum edges.

-         The Begonia ‘Froggy’ variety: The small white flowers of the Begonia ‘Froggy’ varieties are a delicate accent to the subtle yet stunning coloring of olive green leaves with black accents that invoke spider webs or stained glass.

Begonia Rex Care

The following are the main care requirements for growing Begonia Rex:

- You have to provide the Begonia Rex with plenty of bright, indirect sun, but keep the plant of direct sunlight.

- Keep the Begonia Rex plant moist, however avoid overwatering. Make sure you allow the soil to dry partially between waterings. 

- Place the Begonia Rex plant in an area with temperatures between sixty degree Fahrenheit and seventy degree Fahrenheit.

- You can use a porous potting mix in a relatively shallow pot.

- If planting the Begonia Rex outdoors, do so in May after the danger of frosts have passed, but you can plant them indoors anytime.

- Feed the Begonia Rex plant regularly.

- As a houseplant rotate the Begonia Rex plant frequently to expose the plant to equal light on all sides.

- You can carefully pinch off blooms (which are not important) to maintain the impressive leaf displays.

Light requirement

The Begonia Rex plant actually like bright, indirect light year-round. Because the plants are not aggressive bloomers, the Begonia Rex plant can actually tolerate less light than other begonias and the plant will thrive under fluorescent lights. 

Soil requirement

Actually an airy, light, fast-draining soil is best for growing Begonia Rex plants in containers. The Begonia Rex plant fine root systems prefer a well aerated peat-based potting soil.

Water requirement

The Begonia Rex plants require regular water, however don't overwater them. The soil for planting should feel slightly, yet evenly moist. Make sure you allow the soil surface to become dry to the touch before watering. Do not let the soil to become overly dry or the Begonia Rex plant will begin to wither. The Begonia Rex plants thrive on humidity but do not let the leaves get wet, or you risk powdery mildew.

Temperature and humidity requirement

The Begonia Rex plants do best in moderate temperatures (sixty degree Fahrenheit to seventy degree Fahrenheit) and moderately high humidity (around fifty percent). Growth will slow in freezing temperatures and some types of begonias actually go into a dormant period during the winter due to lack of light. As with other begonias, the Begonia Rex and other begonias grown at home actually prefer the same humid, gentle environment in which understory ferns thrive.

Fertilizer requirement

You can use a liquid fertilizer at half strength every 2 weeks during growing season.

How to Propagate Begonia Rex

The Begonia Rex plant can be propagated in water, by cuttings, or by division. The Rhizomatous begonia plants such as the Begonia Rex can be easily propagated by rhizome division, layering, or leaf-tip cuttings. The new growth will take about 6 weeks to emerge. The following are steps for each method.

Propagating Begonia Rex by division:

- Lift the Begonia Rex plant out of its container in the springtime.

- You need to gently prod the dirt with a clean pair of sharp scissors between the stalks to begin encouraging the rhizomes to pull apart, trying to untangle them naturally and without too much force.

- Just replant the divided stalks with the roots into their own containers.

- Make sure you keep the repotted Begonia Rex plant and the potted divisions consistently moist (but not soggy) and also out of direct sunlight for the next couple of weeks to help the plant rebound from the stress.

Propagating Begonia Rex in water:

- You can use a good sharp, sanitized cutting tool to take off a leaf from the mother plant. Try and make the cut where the petiole (the stalk that attaches the leaf to the plant stem) meets the stem.

- You need to gently trim the base of the petiole to clean up jagged edges. You can use a small paintbrush to lightly add rooting hormone to the bottom of the petiole.

- Just use a good stick to make a small hole in the soil for the petiole. Then just insert the petiole so that only the petiole, not the leaf, is in the soil.

You have to put the cutting in a location that is out of direct sunlight.

- You also need to put a plastic bag over the container (without touching the plant leaf) to make a mini greenhouse and then keep the soil moist. Make sure you check the soil every few days and then water if dry.

- In six weeks check for rooting, after which you can remove the bag and then bring the container into a spot with more light.

Propagating Begonia Rex by leaf cuttings:

- Lift the Begonia Rex plant out of its container in the springtime.

- You need to gently prod the dirt between the stalks with a clean pair of pruners to begin encouraging the rhizomes to pull apart, trying to untangle them without too much force.

- You can replant the divided stalks with the roots into their own containers.

- Keep the repotted Begonia Rex plant and the potted divisions consistently moist (but not soggy) and also out of direct sunlight for the next couple of weeks to help the plant rebound from the stress.

Potting and Repotting Begonia Rex

The Begonia Rex plants are rhizomatous plants that actually grow from a shallow and knobby rhizome. As such, the plant does best in large, relatively shallow containers where the rhizome has room to spread. If the rhizome still has room to grow in its container, the Begonia Rex plant should be considered happily potted.

When the rhizome actually begins to butt up against the sides of the container, however, it's time to repot the plant into a fresh pot with fresh soil. You can easily divide the rhizome when repotting your plant to increase your plant stock. As with all begonia plants, do not soak the soil of the newly potted Begonia Rex plants, but do keep the plant lightly moist and warm.

Pest and disease control

One of the pests that can be an issue to Begonia Rex plant is Mealybugs. To actually prevent this pest is to keep the Begonia Rex plant well-trimmed and also remove the dead leaves from the surface of the planting mix.

The Begonia Rex plants are often troubled by powdery mildew and botrytis fungal disease. You can easily apply a systemic fungicide to tackle both issues. Make sure you remove dead leaves promptly and then provide good air circulation.

Common Problems with Begonia Rex plants

Wilting leaves or leaf Loss: the wilting of leaves or leaf loss on Begonia Rex plants is caused by pests, soil that is too wet or too dry, insufficient light, and low humidity. Assess the Begonia Rex plant’s conditions and then adjust accordingly to better meet its preferred conditions.

Soft Leaves: If the Begonia Rex plants leaves lack substance or feel mushy or soft, the issue may be overwatering or under-watering of the plant. It is actually tricky to get this balance right, but a good rule of thumb is to check the top inch of the soil before watering the Begonia Rex plants, and only water the Begonia Rex plants when it feels dry. You need to water deeply and then let excess water drain out. Water should not stand on the surface of the soil; if it is, repotting the Begonia Rex plants and replacing the soil may help.