This is my first Rex Begonia… any hints, tips, info?? Tha...
Last watered 1 month ago
5
@Pineapplesage26 Welcome to the Greg community! To make a Rex Begonia thrive, provide bright, indirect light, maintain consistently moist soil without overwatering, and ensure high humidity levels. Rex begonias also benefit from temperatures between 60°F and 70°F and regular feeding. Here's a more detailed breakdown:
1. Light:
Rex begonias prefer bright, indirect light, but can tolerate some direct sunlight.
Avoid harsh, direct sunlight, which can scorch their delicate leaves.
Bright, indirect light is essential for vibrant foliage and healthy growth.
Rotating the plant periodically ensures all sides receive equal light. 2. Watering:
Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy.
Allow the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings to prevent root rot.
Use a moisture meter or check the soil's moisture level by gently pinching it.
Water thoroughly when watering, ensuring excess water drains from the pot's drainage holes. 3. Humidity:
Rex begonias thrive in high humidity, typically 50% or higher.
Increase humidity by placing the plant on a pebble tray filled with water, using a humidifier, or by misting the plant.
Avoid misting the plant directly on the leaves, as this can lead to fungal problems. 4. Temperature:
Maintain a moderate temperature range between 60°F and 70°F (15-24°C).
Avoid exposing them to cold drafts or temperatures below 55°F.
5. Soil and Potting:
Use a well-draining, organic potting mix with added perlite or vermiculite for good drainage.
Choose a relatively shallow pot that provides ample space for rhizome growth. 6. Fertilizing:
Feed your rex begonia regularly with a balanced fertilizer.
Follow the fertilizer instructions and avoid over-fertilizing.
7. Other Tips:
Rotate the plant regularly to ensure all sides receive equal light.
Avoid overwatering, as this can lead to root rot and other issues.
Prune leggy stems to encourage bushier growth and blooms. Hope this helps, Happy Growing!!
1. Light:
Rex begonias prefer bright, indirect light, but can tolerate some direct sunlight.
Avoid harsh, direct sunlight, which can scorch their delicate leaves.
Bright, indirect light is essential for vibrant foliage and healthy growth.
Rotating the plant periodically ensures all sides receive equal light. 2. Watering:
Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy.
Allow the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings to prevent root rot.
Use a moisture meter or check the soil's moisture level by gently pinching it.
Water thoroughly when watering, ensuring excess water drains from the pot's drainage holes. 3. Humidity:
Rex begonias thrive in high humidity, typically 50% or higher.
Increase humidity by placing the plant on a pebble tray filled with water, using a humidifier, or by misting the plant.
Avoid misting the plant directly on the leaves, as this can lead to fungal problems. 4. Temperature:
Maintain a moderate temperature range between 60°F and 70°F (15-24°C).
Avoid exposing them to cold drafts or temperatures below 55°F.
5. Soil and Potting:
Use a well-draining, organic potting mix with added perlite or vermiculite for good drainage.
Choose a relatively shallow pot that provides ample space for rhizome growth. 6. Fertilizing:
Feed your rex begonia regularly with a balanced fertilizer.
Follow the fertilizer instructions and avoid over-fertilizing.
7. Other Tips:
Rotate the plant regularly to ensure all sides receive equal light.
Avoid overwatering, as this can lead to root rot and other issues.
Prune leggy stems to encourage bushier growth and blooms. Hope this helps, Happy Growing!!
@Pineapplesage congratulations on your first Begonia! Mine seem to be doing really well. It was a tiny one like yours. I used 50% peat moss and 50% perlite for my Begonia soil because that is what the grower I bought from recommended as well draining soil. Place the plant in bright but indirect light. An east facing window is best but south is good if it isn’t getting sun all day. I have the little one in an East facing window grouped around other plants for added humidity and subsidize the sunlight with a grow light. The first two photos is what it looked like in January when it arrived and the third photo is how it looks today. They like the soil to stay evenly moist but not soggy. I usually water once a week with filtered water and I feed it plant food once a month. My other two are Jurassic Rex’s and they just as easy. The large ones sit by a south facing window that only gets morning sun and I have a humidifier it that room as well as grow lights. If you are noticing drooping leaves but the soil is still moist, the plant likely needs more humidity. Don’t mist it, it can damage the leaves, use a pebble tray filled with water and place it underneath the plant to create more moisture . Alternatively you can put it in the bathroom while you shower to soak up the great humidity there. Best of luck and please reach out if you have other questions .😊
@Ms.Persnickety thank you so much!! I am so happy I found this app.. plant people are the loveliest people of all!!!🌷
Rex begonias grow naturally on the ground in tropical forests. They like humidity, cooler temperatures (60-70°F is ideal), dappled light, and rich, well-draining soil (growing on the forest floor means growing in layers of flaky, decomposing leaves.) rex begonias are a kind of rhizomatous begonia, which means it grows horizontally along the ground, instead of up on a stem. They propogate really easy from a leaf, or even a piece of a leaf. Sometimes the foliage will change colors depending on the amount of light and the color (purple grow light vs white grow light).