Rieger Begonia

[NewtoOrchids]

Hi! I got a Begonia as a gift yesterday and I was wondering if any of you have grown them and have any tips for me. I've read up on the care of it and some of it is similar to the care of phals.

It needs to be almost dry before watering, an east-facing window, can't be near drafts, peat and perlite soil mix, likes cooler temps than phals, and has a sensitive root system so it needs good drainage. I thought maybe someone would be able to give me more insight and info in addition to this.

[lmartiny]

I pick up unusual Begonias frequently. They are in pots around the yard. I don't give them any particular attention but they definately don't like to be soggy.
You can start new ones with a leaf.

[Phalcycle]

That seems to be a tuberous begonia.
I love begonias- i grow both tuberous and the cane type begonia- or angel wing's begonia.
These are to be treated like a gladiolous- you have to lift them up and bring them inside at the slighting frost or freeze.
Around late summer to early fall (september-october) i bring all my tubers in by digging them up and stroing in a recycled onion mesh bag.

These guys like shade and although they like to dry out, you water every time it dries out whether it be a day or a week.
They like part shade to shade so I plant with some of my hostas and ferns

[NewtoOrchids]

Originally Posted by lmartiny

You can start new ones with a leaf.

Really? That is awesome!

[NewtoOrchids]

Phalcycle, thanks so much for the advice! They are beautiful. Eventually I would like to get a few more.

When you store them, what kind of conditions should they be in? Do they have to be kept cool?

[lmartiny]

Where are you in FL? You should not need to dig up and store your begonias.
To start from a leaf cut it with about an inch or so of stem. I push it into dirt in a pot to the base of the leaf. Do several and a few should take. (as long as the squirrels don't dig them all up)

[NewtoOrchids]

I'm on the east side of FL. My husband and I are renting, so I'm not sure if it's ok to plant anything, but I should probably find out. We also moved here not too long ago from Maryland, and after a year or so I'm hoping we'll be able to move back (I miss it). I was wondering about storage for (hopefully) future reference.

That is amazing that it'll grow from that! I'll have to give it a try. It'll be so exciting to watch it grow from leaf cuttings. How big of a pot should I use? How far apart should I put the leaves?

Last night I read about trimming/cutting the bad leaves, and I was wondering if you cut the entire leaf stem or just below the leaf....

[ceahorse]

I have 3 tuberous begonia's I keep as house plants, 1 yellow-1red-1 pink. My yellow rarely stops blooming, they are not fussy plants. They like to be a little pot bound and bright light. I keep the yellow one in a south facing window> it doesn't realize direct sun isn't good for it but it loves that window. I let them dry out and then give them a good soaking. That's pretty much it!
This is the only pic's I can find on my laptop!

[Phalcycle]

Sorry for the late reply.
I did't catch that you're in/were in FL.
I keep mine in an unheated basement that does not freeze. I spray them a little every now and them to keep from drying out. you can also leave in pots and just keep the pot indoors and allow to keep growing I've heard. I have had no luck keeping them going, but I was successful when I dug them up and stored.