The varieties of begonias number in the thousands, and their popularity is quite apparent. You can increase humidity by running a humidifier in the room with the plant or by placing its pot on a shallow tray filled with water and pebbles. In most cases, a spray form of pesticide will take care of the issue. Indoor plants require bright, indirect light. These plants do require high humidity (more than 50 percent), which means it can be difficult to maintain rex begonias indoors over the winter. You can feed your potted plants monthly with any good houseplant food. Among the first signs and symptoms that growers may notice when dealing with leaf spot on begonia is the appearance of darkened spots or “water soaked” leaves. Though rex begonias love warm weather, they will not grow well in full sunlight. Because it's a relatively short houseplant, Rex begonia is perfect for desks and tabletops where is wildly colorful, variegated foliage makes it a perfect contrast against other houseplants. Although they are at home in a shady garden, they are also popular as houseplants. Michelle Wishhart is a writer based in Portland, Ore. She has been writing professionally since 2005, starting with her position as a staff arts writer for City on a Hill Press, an alternative weekly newspaper in Santa Cruz, Calif. An avid gardener, Wishhart worked as a Wholesale Nursery Grower at Encinal Nursery for two years. Full sun to partial shade. Causes of Crisping Leaves in Rex Begonias Humidity Help. Grow these babes in shade or bright, indirect light. 0. Most rex begonias sold today are named hybrids, although they are not always labeled as such. Too much food will make for a scraggly plant, so pay attention and adjust the feeding to suit your variety. Bacterial leaf spot, mildew, and botrytis can occur if the leaves stay wet. Viewing 6 posts - 1 through 6 (of 6 … Depending on the cultivar, the Rex begonia plant can reach from 12 to 24 inches in height and spread. According to the University of California IPM Program, improper irrigation is among the most common causes of damage in plants. Sometimes a slimy substance oozes from the infected areas, turning light brown as it dries. To really play up the unique qualities of begonia rex, pair them with solid green plants with different textures or forms. Home › Forums › Gardening Discussions › Flowers & Shrubs › Holes in my begonia leaves Tagged: begonias This topic contains 5 replies, has 4 voices, and was last updated by HaroldMe 3 years, 2 months ago. The rex begonia is a native of Southeast Asia. Knowing when to water your Rex begonia is easy, although you will probably have to water weekly, especially during the growing season. leomatty067 Dec 10, 2018 2:54 PM CST. Most rex begonias sold today are named hybrids, although they are not always labeled as such. Exactly what is begonia pythium rot? Caterpillars and earwigs cause similar damage to slugs and snails. Bird of Paradise plants split their leaves to allow wind through as well. Rex Begonias do bloom but the flowers pale in comparison to the amazing leaves which seem to glisten and sparkle in the light. Water your rex begonia deeply, allowing the soil to become almost completely dry between waterings. Propagating Rex Begonia. Large or gangly plants can be pruned into shape. According to the University of Illinois Extension, rex begonias with crispy brown leaf margins are usually suffering from low humidity levels. Rex Begonias are not difficult to divide and propagate, which comes in handy as individual plants usually don’t have a very long lifespan. They need some light to keep their coloring, but bright, indirect light is best. Among the various types of begonias, the Begonia rex are some of the most beautiful and stunning plants. Above: Begonia rex ‘Red Tango’ mixes well with other shade- and humidity-loving plants such as asparagus ferns and geraniums. A peat-based potting mix is ideal for containers. Rex begonia offers colorful foliage and is one of the most interesting indoor plants around. Rex begonias (Begonia rex) are tropical plants, prized for their colorfully patterned and intriguingly shaped leaves. Also, if the soil goes from wet to dry to wet, this could cause leaf problems, too. To help prevent diseases and insects, keep the plant tidy by removing dead leaves and debris from the plant and the surface of the soil. The leaves grow on short leaf stalks, from the underground rhizome. Many hybrid varieties are beautiful, but they are unlabeled or mislabeled, so be sure to ask questions so you know exactly what you're buying. There are many different varieties of Rex begonia… Begonia maculata is a type of cane begonia that has thick stems that support spotted angel wing-shaped leaves. There are many cultivars available with attractive coloured and patterned leaves. Rex begonias perform best with indoor temperatures ranging between 60°F to 85°F (15.5°C to 29.4°C). Begonias (Begonia) Posted by jmorth. In fall and winter, plants may undergo a natural dormancy if temperatures are low, dropping leaves and appearing dead. Begonias Water sparingly if this happens; new, healthy leaves will appear in the spring. When watering, try not to do this - begonias are fussy and do not like wet leaves. Rotating potted rex begonias will keep the plants full and stocky. Mealybugs may attack both outdoor and indoor plants, appearing as cottony masses on the leaf joints and sometimes causing leaf stunting. The leaf edges and undersides are covered with short red hairs. Why an Indoor Stephanotis Has Drooping Leaves, University of Illinois Extension: Rex Begonia, University of California IPM: Begonia — Begonia spp. Many of the houseplant Begonias have cane-like stems that leaves sprout from. They frequently have large leaves (up to 6 inches long) that are brightly colored in various shades of green, red, silver, and even purple. If your begonias are infected, the stems become waterlogged and collapse. Despite its exotic looks, Rex begonia is actually easy to grow. Begonia Rex-cultorum group, (bah-GO-nyah). Though rex begonias love warm weather, they will not grow well in full sunlight. Begonia rex is sensitive to temperature changes and to temperatures below about 60 degrees Fahrenheit (16 Celsius). Begonias (Begonis spp.) If your rex begonia develops crispy brown leaves, its likely a sign that the plant's cultural conditions are less than ideal. Rex Begonia Features: An Overview. Rex Begonia. Many people collect and display several varieties. Infected begonia leaves will be covered with a white or ash-gray powdery mold. Rex begonias (Begonia rex) are tropical plants, prized for their colorfully patterned and intriguingly shaped leaves.Although they are at home in a shady garden, they are also popular as houseplants.Many people collect and display several varieties. To avoid these issues, be sure your begonias are in well-drained soil and water them sparingly. Make sure the sun or artificial light isn’t shining right on the plant. Sometimes called painted-leaf begonias or fancy-leaf begonias, these plants are known for their showy, sometimes jaw-dropping leaf coloration. Be sure your garden beds or containers meet the requirements of the rex begonia. Alternatively, if your area is too cold, consider growing yours as a houseplant or in an outdoor container that can be brought indoors in cooler weather. Remove any damaged leaves or stems and treat plants affected by insect pests with a horticultural oil and baking soda mix. It’s better to cluster your plants, so they can create their own humid environment, or use a pebble tray. Rex begonia (Begonia rex-cultorum) is a notoriously high maintenance frost tender perennial commonly grown indoors as a houseplant. Stick your finger into the soil before you water to check for dampness. Begonia blooms range from small and delicate to large and roselike. Direct sunlight will bleach the leaves or cause sunscald, resulting in brown, dry tips or patches. Most begonias are grown a s flowering pot plants, but the Rex begonia (Begonia rex-cultorum) is grown primarily for its brightly colored, variegated foliage. This plant is susceptible to fungal infections, mainly bacterial leaf spot. Rex begonia hybrids have been developed to have unusual markings, leaf shapes, and colors. Rex begonias can be temperamental and you just have to find the right conditions and balance for your plant. Begonia stem and root rot, also called begonia pythium rot, is a very serious fungal disease. Marie Iannotti is an author, photographer, and speaker with 27 years of experience as a Cornell Cooperative Extension Horticulture Educator and Master Gardener, The Spruce uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. These plants are grown almost exclusively for their f… If you live in an area that's prone to flooding, growing your begonias in a pot will give you the option of bringing them under shelter in rain. In pots, be sure to provide drainage holes. Rex begonia plants have calcium oxalate, which is toxic to dogs and cats. Locate the main veins on the begonia leaf and cut from the edge of the leaf all the way back to where the stem once was. Rex begonias have high humidity needs, requiring levels around 50 percent or more. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Soft or droopy leaves accompanied by wet brown spots is a sign of infection by botrytis blight. Small, blisterlike spots appear on the leaves. Keep water levels low enough that they do not touch the bottom of the pot. Eventually, you'll figure out the right balance. More popular than begonia blooms, the leaves of certain begonia varieties grow into mosaic patterns of varying colors. You can cut back on water during their dormant period in the winter, watering only when the pot dries out. Like other begonia species and other tropical understory plants, the Rex enjoys a shaded, humid, and quiet environment to grow in. Remove mealybugs by dipping a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol and using it to wipe off the pests. Outdoors, water tuberous begonias in the garden with a drip system or a hose than drips directly into the soil. Wishhart holds a Bachelor of Arts in fine arts and English literature from the University of California, Santa Cruz. Conditions: Considered perennials in tropical and semitropical climates, Rex begonias are frost tender and typically grown as annuals or houseplants in North America. Plants will vary and the only way to know what your plant wants is to watch it, once it has adjusted to its new surrounding. They all have their merits. If you don't see insect pests, I wonder if slugs or snails are busy eating the leaves after dusk? They come in a variety of forms including those that grow canes a little like branching bamboo, clump formers and others with rhizomatous creeping roots, those with the largest leaves are Begonia rex. Something is eating the leaves on my begonias and pansys, can't see any bugs, what can I spray on them? You can keep them happy as houseplants or store them dormant over winter, as you would with other tender bulbs. In 2017, we offered a Rex begonia called ‘Jurassic Silver Swirl’ for the first time. How To Water A Rex Begonia Indoors. Poorly draining soil invites fungal disease and makes it difficult for the roots to suck up moisture. A … You can feed Rex Begonias every two weeks or so using a diluted regular balanced houseplant fertilizer during the growing season (Spring through Fall). Begonia rex should be watered when the soil or pot feels dry, but don’t wait until the plant starts to wilt. Another thing that can cause your begonia to drop leaves is attack by worms. Others suggest that they have the holes that better allow water to come in contact with their roots. Try to keep the soil evenly wet (not soggy). Move your plant to a shadier area. Outdoors, where rex begonias are only hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 and 11, the plant prefers partial or even full shade, though some morning sunlight is fine. The plant will very easily regrow from these, so if you snip off an inch or two of stem with some leaves attached like in the image below, you’re all set for success. Bacterial Leaf Spot (Begonia) Problem Info . Rex Begonia leaves also grow in purple, cream, pink, and silver. Identify the cause of the fickle plant's distress and make the necessary adjustments to help the plant recover so it can exhibit the striking foliage rex begonias are famous for. Some have suggested that Monsteras create holes in their leaves to resist the strong winds of hurricanes. Hi, I got this begonia rex on clearance for 1$ (i know this begonia may not even worth 1$), it has put out a new leaf but I've noticed that the new leaf and the other one leaf have a hole in the middle of the leaf. Water-soaked areas surrounded by yellow halos develop on leaves. Plants … It doesn’t have to be the tip of the stem: any piece of 2″ or up will work. White Coating On Leaves Caused By Powdery Mildew Powdery mildews are caused by fungi that live on the surface cells of plants. Houseplants forum: Holes on Begonia Rex leaves. When planting directly in the ground, a moist, well-drained location is optimal and mulch will keep the roots shaded. Use a commercial peat-lite potting mix, and always avoid heavy and poor-draining soil mixes. Humidity is crucial to keeping your rex begonia happy, however, spraying the leaves can lead to spotting. If it's flourishing, continue with what you were doing. Avoid direct sunlight. Mealybugs, aphids, and caterpillars can also become a problem. A sunny windowsill with a thin curtain is the best type of spot. They eat small, rounded holes in the begonia's leaves. Fading leaves on a Begonia rex is a sign of too much direct sunlight. Leaf spots of begonia are caused by a pathogen called Xanthomonas. Lose the Light. Don’t feed at all during the winter. Repotting rex begonias each spring will ensure that they have plenty of soil to grow in, but they like to be a little bit pot bound. Root rot can be a problem in wet areas. If it is droopy or gangly, adjust the light and water. Worm Infestation. There are hundreds of cultivars of B. rex to choose among, usually classified by leaf size—small (three inches or less), medium (three to six inches), or large (more than six inches). Plant rex begonias in a container or hanging basket with drainage holes in the bottom. Because of their native environment, high humidity, warm temperatures, and indirect or filtered light are the essential care factors. Introducing "One Thing": A New Video Series, Annuals that can be grown as a houseplant, South and Central America, Africa, southern Asia. Rex begonias prefer light, rich soil. 5. Views: 2233, Replies: 2 » Jump to the end. By using The Spruce, you accept our, The 5 'It' Plants of 2021, According to the Pros, 10 Varieties of Begonias for Gardens and Containers, 10 Top Outdoor Garden Plants That Thrive Indoors. 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