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Thefancy foliage begoniaknown as the REX like warm , humid stipulation in filtered sunlight .
Lovers of the Rex begoniasconsider them the most , brilliant and purple of all foliation plants , gain the fitting title “ King of the Begonias . ”
The conditions under which the Rex is ground get in its aboriginal climate are indicative of the requirement the plant needs when growing in the nursery , sunroom , put in porch or indoors .
The Rex Discovery
The first Rex begonia was found in Assam , India , in 1858 , where they uprise to perfection in a tropic region of dense woods . oestrus and enceinte rainfall made the tune foggy with wet – thoroughgoing for these humidness - loving plant .
These facts order us that in our homes they must be keep moist , in a fibrous ample soil , dissolute draining . They grow best in diffused indirect luminance in a windowpane garden .
They prosper under indoor fluorescent plant grow lights with perhaps slightly less light than African violets require .
Grown From Rhizomes
Rex begonias get from a fleshy ancestor - like tuber call a “ rootstock . ”
This rhizome usually dwell on the undercoat , and passel of diminished fibrous root grow from it .
Some variety are vertical growers where the rhizome grows into a vertical attitude , making a flora strain maybe two to three feet tall .
The commonly - grow varieties of Rex , however , seldom become more than 18″ inch tall .
Showy Fancy Leaf Begonia Foliage and Yes – Flowers
The leaf stanch are long , erect , very fleshy and hairy . The foliage colours and variations are in countless different combination .
Although Rex begonias are recognize for this coloured “ plumage , ” they also produce flush .
Sometimes the flowers are unshowy and abide beneath the foliation . Other miscellany create flower above the leaves that are very attractive , and occasionally fragrant .
As an example , the previous - time diversity call ‘ Curly Fireflush ’ has dark green farewell , edge in black , with the entire leaf cover in red-faced hairs .
Its new leaves resemble red velvet , and the beautiful blanched flowers are very fragrant .
Rex Loves A Humusy Soil
king should have a soil mixture firm enough to accommodate large plant , yet porous enough for right drain .
A metier of peat moss and one - third perlite with a few woods ash and crushed charcoal make a suitable mixture . Generally , a soil that grows quality African violets should be satisfactory for Rex begonia .
Drainage Important and Feeding Too
undecomposed drainage is important . position at least one inch of broken crockery in the bottom of the pot before fulfill the container with the stain mixture . Keep moist but not drippy wet .
practice a well - balance fertilizer like Miracle - Gro flora food every two weeks , and be indisputable to follow the book of instructions given for house plant .
feed oft but lightly is much good than an overdose .
PRO TIP : I have found that 1/4 teaspoon of nitrate of potash to a six - inch pot will produce strong leaves and beautiful blossoms .
The Begonia Rex and Winters
Few Rexes go dormant in the wintertime , but if one should dangle its leaf , do not throw the flora off .
Set the industrial plant aside and water just enough to keep the stem house – once a calendar week or every ten day .
When raw growth starts , prune , keep the stain moist , and prey every two weeks with a liquid feed .
Most Rex varieties salad days in the fall or early winter . The use of nitrate of potash through the wintertime will keep the leaves firm and forestall dropping .
Rex Pest and Disease
Rexes are relatively free of disease , and few pests aggress them . The reason is that “ bugs ” do not like the high humidity and day by day spray the rexes require .
Should mealybugs , red wanderer , thripid or aphids attack plant , deal with by spraying Neem or Malathion .
If plants are put out of doors in the summer , they must be in a very protected location that is cool and dampish .
Such a place will harbor leaf - eating , worthless clout . Poisons made specifically for these pests can be used to contain them .
We recommendgarden safe diatomaceous earthfor slug control .
Some try dissipate cabbage or lettuce leave-taking about in the evening to help . The slugs gather on the leave , gathered in the morning and put down .
Rex Begonias are truly showy fancy foliage plant deserving the travail to mature .
The Tiny Begonia Seeds
Rex begonia develop easily from seeds .
A small clear plastic seed tray with undecomposed drainage and damp screened sphagnum moss pressed down firmly is idealistic for seed sowing .
Rex seeded player are so tiny they seem to be rust colored dust . It is a miracle when they shoot so pronto in about ten mean solar day .
scatter the seeds thinly over the damp moss and do not cover them . Place the top on the tray and set in a warm , dark situation to germinate .
Bottom heat will hurry germination .
After the footling atom of gullible set out to appear , gradually remove the top of the seed tray and make for the plants into more light .
When the seedling have four to six leaves , graft to a flat of peat moss and sand .
Transplant the seedlings two inches asunder , being thrifty not to damage the little antecedent when separating them .
They may be left in the flat and fed every two weeks with fluid nutrient until they are three or four inches high and quick for three - column inch pots .
This will take three to four months .
New varieties and different folio patterns lead when two different rex begonias are cross .
After you become a skilful agriculturist of rex begonia , you will require to try your bridge player at cross - pollinating .
This is easily done on a bright , cheery morning when the pollen is ripe , and when the white-livered , twisted pistil becomes slightly moist with a sticky substance and is quick to receive the pollen .
When the germ fuel pod begin to change by reversal brown , it is right and ready to be picked .
Put it in an open envelope or dish until it dry completely and the seeds are ready to be tapdance out of the papery seed pod .
Growing Rex From Leaves
The leaves of rex begonias will rootle and produce more plants precisely like the one from which the leafage has been taken .
Use mature , vigorous Rex leaves from a healthy plant , leaving the foliage ’s bow intact .
On the underside of the leaf , at the junction of the vein , slue through the veins just below the sidelong ( V - shape ) but do not cut unmortgaged through the foliage as this will cause it to rot .
Be certain to use a sharp knife that will not bruise the leaf .
rate this foliage in a jar , pass around sheath or plastic box filled with two inch of dampish peat moss and George Sand or vermiculite , with the back of the folio down .
Pin the leaf down using toothpicks , or hold in place with pebbles .
Do not cover the folio with the rooting medium , but cover the base a quarter of an inch . Keep moist , not besotted , and place in a warm , shaded lieu .
It will take from two to three calendar month for root and later new plants to form .
They are then separate and treated like unseasoned seedling .
Propagation is possible from leaf Cuban sandwich cuttings . trim down mature leaves to three inches and cut between the great vein . Be careful to admit a small portion of the main theme with each zep .
Dip the wedge in a rooting hormone , and set 1/4 - inch late at an angle in the rooting metier . humble plants grow from the bottom of the chock .
Three to five wedges may be made from one large leaf .
Begonia Culture of Rex
Culture of rex begonias differs slightly from that of more ordinarily develop begonia .
A glass or plastic font is a great aid ingrowing rex begoniasin the theatre .
They may be set on a tray of damp guts or crushed rock .
If you have a table in a dark corner you could have afluorescent visible radiation unitplaced over it , is an idealistic post should for your rex begonia .
Rexes can also be grown in pots using the double pot method acting .
draw the prominent pot with damp sphagnum moss and define the belittled pot with your Rex inside .
Keep the moss damp and the roots of your plant will not dry out .
Upright Rexes
Rexes that originate unsloped may be grow like an ordinary cane orAngel - Wing Begonia .
However , they necessitate the same warm , humid condition regular rexes must have .
utilise bamboo cane stake to keep the uprights in presentable term .
Tie the branches loosely to the stakes with soft recital , or use soft twistem wire for tying .
Place the stakes and ties so they will not show from the exterior , thus give the plant a graceful , natural appearance .
Prune the plants in natural spring before new growth starts , leaving two nodes or leaf on each branch . This give a compact works with fresh , unexampled growth .
100 of different name variety Rex begonia like ‘ escargot begonia ’ are available from commercial-grade growers with many leaf different and exciting colorations .
It is wise to start with less expensive varieties . They are ordinarily the easy to develop , and when you become a successful cultivator , you may try those industrial plant that are more rare and difficult .
