Begonia boliviensi 'bonfire'

[ChryssM]

Thought there was an "other plants" category but can't find it if there is. Must be confusing forums !

This NON-orchid is the first since my addiction to catch my eye ! Mentor's wife gave me a division of it and all went well until winter. I killed it ! The next year she gave me this one when I confessed and same story ! No matter how hard I TRIED to keep it alive inside in the winter, all the leaves and then branches turned & then dropped off ! When it was nothing but a stub, I sighed and tossed it in the corner, thoroughly frustrated !! About 2 weeks ago I just happened to look in the corner (this is in my junk/orchid room) where the old cat box still is and noticed a flash of GREEN coming rom the 4" green pot there !! I couldn't believe it, still don't get it !!! I watered it and hung it outside and took the pix you see today !!!

Couldn't be happier about it !!!

.

[katrina]

I've never tried growing Begonias...sounds like it's a tough one.

Oh, and you aren't confusing anything...we do have an "other plants" forum...it's near the bottom of the list. I went ahead and moved this one for you.

[ChryssM]

Thanks Kat ! I COULDN'T find the LIST !!!

Yeh, I STILL don't know how to winter it over BUT I won't ever throw it away again !!! Kinda looks like you just do what I do with dormant Ctsms and ignore it all winter until it comes up in the spring !!! I guarantee that's what I will do for the begonia now !!! I LOVE it and it's not like any I've ever seen !

[lmartiny]

That is a neat one. We like Begonias and are always picking up different ones when we see them. They are low light and low water. We have several and they don't get a lot of attention. I am successful starting new plants with the leaves. I have to watch the caterpillars. They will decimate them in no time.

[ChryssM]

Are you Art or does that mean you are a Martini ?? LOL !

Is that normal for the Begonias to die back and go dormant ? I THOUGHT it was dead and left it as such !

[Phalcycle]

Yay, happy that the begonia is still going strong and blooming!

I am not sure if that is a tuberous variety, as I have not tried this variety, but my tuberous begonias die back and come back each year. They 'rest' in the winter and then when i bring the pots outdoors in spring, they resprout.

[bett]

looks like something i once had (firecracker?)

[lmartiny]

While I grow some, I'm not real familiar about dormancy. Where I am they are alive year round for the most part. Although we have some basic ones (bought as annuals) that have come back after being frozen to the ground.