Begonia beginner
I believe this rex is the "escargot" and I have lots of questions!
I got it at the end of the summer and the edges of all the leaves were crispy and ripped by then. When I got it home I wanted to clean it up a bit so I cut the crispy edges (almost all the way) off and cut off the leaves that were crispy all the way through. I repotted it and used a mix of peat and vermiculite (I read online that was a good mix for a rex). I have been keeping it well watered, never in direct sunlight, and as much humidity as possible.
Since then a couple more leaves tore worse and worse from the crisping and had to go as well. It looks so naked!! There is one big beautiful leaf hanging on by a thread and I don't want to cut it bc it's so sad and bare! Since I got it there is only one new leaf. The new little one looks good, no crispy edges.
1. How does a rhizome root system grow? Does it need to be above the soil? Idk if I have it potted too deep and maybe that's why there's so little going on. Is it normal to grow so slow?
2. Should I fertilize it even though it's about to be winter? Does that matter in house plants? What kind of fertilizer is best for a rex?
3. Is this pot too big? It looks really big with so few leaves! The soil never seems to dry. It's not muddy wet, but always damp even after no water for days.
4. How do you prune and pinch this? Did I mess up when I cut the super crispy leaves off down at the soil? The stems still looked healthy and sturdy at the time.
5. I know a lot of the begonia are patented and not allowed to be propagated. I don't want to get myself or anyone else in trouble so if it is patented I won't try!! Regardless, what's the best way to propagate a rex in general? Leaf cutting? Stem cutting? Rooting hormone?
Comments (13)
hc mcdole
6 years agoOUCH! First things first, 'Escargot' is one of the worst begonias to start with and is NOT a rex. I find it better to use it as an annual than trying to nurse it through winter but I keep trying to keep it over winter. I think this begonia being very popular just frustrates any newbie of begonias to the point of never trying this wonderful family ever again.
That said, it is a wonderful robust grower outdoors in summer (for me at least) so the last few years I usually buy 3 and pot them in a much larger pot and let nature take its course.
Answers to your questions:1) yes, do raise your rhizomes above the soil. I noticed that in your pictures that they are buried too deep and will definitely lead to rot.
2) I try not to fertilize in winter - yes, it will bring on a flush of growth (if you have space you might try it). I find that by fertilizing there will be new growth and then more or less a crash indoors. If you potted with some mix that already has fertilizer in it, then you are all set until spring. If you do fertilize, the rule of thumb is to use a weak water soluble once a week (weakly weekly) and/or a slow release fertilizer as prescribed on whatever brand you choose. Lots of folks will try the newest gimmick in hopes of being a miracle cure or buying into the hype. One of the "experts" who has visited us a couple of times in Atlanta said she buys whatever is on sale when she is shopping for fertilizer. That's good enough for me.
3) Is the pot too big? It looks big, surface-wise but how deep is it? If it is shallow like a bonsai bowl then you are fine (I am playing with growing some bonsai begonias for giggles this year). If it is deep (say 3 inches or more) then yes, I would repot in a much smaller pot.
If you want a big plant then put it in a big pot, BUT that is only when it is actively growing which means spring through fall. If the plant is small or weak (not growing or performing poorly) then pot it down (a lesson I've learned the hard way). A big pot can lead to root rot if the soil gets wet and the roots cannot breathe. A small pot means a lot more attention to watering. So this means pick your poison based on your watering hand (mine gets heavy at times).
4) Most experts say you should remove the leaf stem when you pinch a leaf off since the leftover stem (petiole) will fall off eventually and can become a breeding ground for germs. I typically pinch what I can and worry about the stems later on, so when they become easy to pull off or drop on their own, I will pick them up and dispose of on the compost heap.
PS - you can use the ugly leaves you pinch off to start new plants but newer healthier leaves are your best bet to start new plants with.
5) There are a lot of arguments out on the web on what you can and cannot do with patented plants. My own take on this is you can propagate your plants as long as you do not make money off of it. So folks who sell a patented plant on line are opening themselves to lawsuits by claiming ignorance of the law. Will the patent owner chase down every mom and pop who makes a buck off a plant?
I moved my Escargot indoors 10-19 and took off several leaves for propagation as well.
Here are a couple already rooted and new plantlets. I will try it again as a lot did not make it (I think old leaves was the major reason a lot failed) I think these have been in place about 3 to 4 weeks.
This is what it looked like Oct 11 before I brought it inside last week.
And Oct 3 which was a bit weepy because it dried out some.
hc mcdole
6 years agoRelated Discussions
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Comments (7)Izhar, you may have something there because I understand that even the most shade loving plants need a few hours direct sunlight. I had a feeling the spot chosen may pose a problem. I needed a planting for a sheltered spot and I thought I might have some success with this begonia. I wouldn't be able to move her to find out if this idea is correct since my space is limited. I guess I had a feeling about it initially, and that's probably why I thought about pinching back as soon as I planted. Ken I am careful not to over water every 7 to 10 days and I like to use Dyna gro Grow 7 9 5 for all my plants and orchids; it makes things easier and more affordable not to have to use different fertilizers. I have added superthrive only to one watering. What I am going to stop doing is misting with a very dilute solution of fert water. I have 2 spray bottles (plain and fert) and I mist on occasion to perk up some of my plants. If it is a fert issue as you say, maybe she will show some progress if I just use the plain bottle. Additionally, I will reduce fertilizer to once a month. I hadn't thought about the cut backs; thanks for suggesting, I will definitely try to root a couple....See MoreBest brand of potting mix? Also, easiest varieties of begonias?
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Comments (21)Hello, here are my begonia right now. begonia immense: easy rhizomatous with huge leaves. I took a cutting from work this summer. Some kind of angel wing: gifted from a friend a few years ago. Almost over watered it to death last winter. I also had it over potted. It is one of my plants that has done well in the 5:1:1 mix. Nonstop red: Chantilly lace begonia: rhizomatois eyelash type. It has grown well and I have two now; I keep them in enclosed glass and vent when they get condensation. I am considering growing one in open air once they are bigger to see if it would tolerate it. :)...See MoreChrissy- zone6B/7A
6 years agohc mcdole
6 years agoI think with climate change, Atlanta is now considered z8 but we still have six months of possible freezing weather which I hate.
Rex is overused in the begonia world. There are some growers (big growers) that must've had a million tags printed that simply say Rex Begonia and so they elect to use them in any pot of begonias so they won't lose their investment. The original rex Putzey may be in the genetics of a lot of modern "rex begonias" but then again it may not. Often a begonia with very colorful leaves is considered a rex. Rexes are all rhizomatous but not all rhizomatous are rexes. Kind of like saying all cacti are succulents but not all succulents are cacti.
If you have a plant that looks a bit sickly, has yellowing leaves, is going downhill; then I would use a small dab of fertilizer just to see if it needs some food. One of two things will happen - it will just check out or it will perk up and start growing.
On another forum for begonias, we've had a commercial grower (or two) jump into the fray about propagating patented begonias. They pay a royalty fee for every patented begonia they grow for sale so I get their point. They (or he) gave in and said that no one will object to you multiplying your own stock. It could backfire on them as they would seem to be bullies on the block. If you on the other hand sold hundreds (or thousands) of patented plants, then you are open for a lawsuit.
I grow 99% of mine outdoors six months out of the year. I am running around 85 shop lights in the basement for winter care and still need a bigger space and more lights. It is a labor of love.
I have too many to really take the best care of each and every one but I try to test as many as I can.
Begonias and other "houseplants" can be acclimated to lower light levels. From the store, I would say they were treated in the best of light and humidity though. So love low light? I doubt that but they can eventually put up with low light if forced to survive. My youngest daughter had a rex I gave her many years ago, that stayed on a pantry in their kitchenette - very low light and every time I checked the soil for moisture, it seemed to be quite dry. It held on for at least 3 years and I was amazed at it (and her).
Here are some of the rexes I started from leaf cuttings in late Feb. This photo was about two months later.
some growing outdoors with partial shade from a big beech tree.
3 red rexes I bought at our local nursery in May, filled this 10 inch pot nicely (this is late September)
Beware of rexes (and Escargot) of mildew attacks. These are very mildew prone and can kill the plant if not kept under control.Walmart and Lowe's starts getting in some smaller rexes in March/April and is always a good addition to your color palette.
another rex from Walmart that was already starting to show signs of mildew attack. I pulled the worst leaves off and started new plants.
more Lowe's and WM early spring plants. They range from $3.50 to $5. These are from Exotic Angels (Costa Farms)
Even mixed in with green leaf begonias adds a splash of color.
this bowl is sitting in deeper shade than most but the silver shines
Kyle
6 years agohc mcdole
6 years agoKyle
6 years agohc mcdole
6 years agoSpider-like? I think you mean it has long finger like projections (palmate).
I'm guessing here but it sounds like it may be heracleifolia or one of its myriad hybrids.I don't even know if this is the genuine heracleifolia or a hybrid but were the leaves similar to this? There are dark forms of this as well.
I don't know what this one is.
Here is Black Falcon which doesn't look at all black to me.
One of my favorites of all time is Bashful Bandit
Kyle
6 years agohc mcdole
6 years agoKyle
6 years ago
hc mcdole