| Houseplant
Cultural
information: The "Rex Begonia" family is
quite large containing dozens of vividly colored plants. Many of
them having metallic looking leaves. Rex Begonias need bright filtered light and warm
conditions to maintain their brilliant appearance. Any bright window or table
that receives morning or late day sunshine with filtered light for
the balance of the day will do nicely. Hot mid day sunshine is to much for this
plant, it will burn an curl the leaves. During the winter on really cold nights, remove the plant from the window until
morning.
Allow the surface soil of your Rex Begonia to dry to the touch
between waterings. Water with tepid water, watering all the way
around the plant until water just seeps into the drip tray. Remove
any standing water from the drip tray to help prevent root rot.
Its best to avoid splashing water on the leaves to help inhibit
mildew growth.
Feed monthly with Peter's Blossom Booster liquid fertilizer if
the plant is actively growing, bi-monthly if inactive. Snip out any withering or fading leaves as
they appear.
Rex Begonias are difficult to propagate.
Many are patented hybrids and illegal to propagate... we wouldn't want to
see the plant cops come bang on your door!
Rex Begonias are usually available in 4" and
6" containers. Occasionally a larger specimen in an 8"
pot can be found at your local Garden Center.
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