rex begonia care outdoors

Outdoors, rex begonias like part- to deep shade, ordinary potting soil, and water when the top inch or so of the soil is dry. Give them a balanced liquid fertilizer once a month, or add granular timed-release fertilizer to the potting soil at planting time. Avoid misting the leaves; alkaline water just desiccates them.

Can rex begonia be planted outside?

Outdoors, a Rex Begonia can be grown as long as night temperatures remain above 50 degrees. They are excellent porch plants and look stunning displayed in any mostly shady garden.

Can begonias survive outside?

Often grown in containers indoors, begonias also can be grown outdoors during the frost-free months. If you live in a region that doesn't experience freezing winter temperatures or frosts, keep the begonia tubers in the ground year-round. Select a planting site for your begonias in partial shade.

How much sun do rex begonias need?

Rex begonias do well in bright indirect light. Some direct sun is okay for short times, especially if it is from an eastern window that has morning sun, which is gentler. For periods of the year where the sun is strongest, or if you live in an area that has strong sun, you will want to avoid too much direct sun.

How do you care for begonias outside?

Begonias prefer well-drained soil, partial shade and humid weather. Four to six hours of morning sun is ideal, and will encourage blooms without scorching the plants. Most begonias tolerate full shade, but blooming may be less prolific.

Why is my rex begonia dying?

According to Bloomscape, the most common cause of crisping leaves in a rex begonia is lack of water. Begonias like consistent moisture, but they do not like to sit in soggy soil or water. ... The soil should dry out between waterings but not become too dry.

How long do rex begonias live?

How Long Do Rex Begonias Live? Most begonias will only live 2-3 years, even with stellar care.

How long do begonias last outside?

Most live only 2 to 3 years even with good care. The tubers of tuberous begonias often last 4 to 5 years with good care. Tuberous begonias need a winter rest and don't make good winter houseplants.

Can you leave begonias in the ground over winter?

The tuberous Begonia group REQUIRES winter dormancy. This means you need to begin in fall by reducing the water to the plants until the tops have died back and the soil is completely dry. ... Carefully clean off the tuber of soil and old roots and store in a warm dry location over the winter.

Can I leave my begonias in pots over winter?

Overwintering Tuberous Begonias

Tuberous begonias should be dug up and stored indoors during winter until the return of warmer weather in spring. ... Pot-grown begonia plants can be stored in their containers as long as they remain dry. They should also be relocated to a protected area that's cool, dark and dry.

Are coffee grounds good for begonias?

(soil free is best) Outdoors, growing begonias means adding lots of organic matter to the soil. Begonias benefit from an acidic soil, which the peat moss gives it. Adding some used coffee grounds to the soil will work wonders for begonias.

Do rex begonias like to be misted?

Answer: While rex begonias and many other houseplants prefer high relative humidities, misting is ineffective unless you're prepared to mist the plants several times a day. Also, rex begonias are not fond of water on their foliage.

Is Begonia rex toxic to cats?

Clinical Signs: Kidney failure (in grazing animals), vomiting, salivation in dogs/cats. Most toxic part is underground.

What month do you plant begonias?

April - planting begonias

Begonia tubers can be started off indoors in a light room, conservatory or greenhouse.
Plant the tubers in trays or pots with the hollow side up.
Cover with no more than 1cm (1/4in) of soil or potting compost.
Begonias prefer partial shade but do ensure they have plenty of light and air.

Can begonias take full sun?

Most begonias grow best in part shade (4 to 6 hours of direct morning sun a day), or filtered sun (as through trees). Most will tolerate full shade (no direct or filtered sun), but won't be as dense and usually have fewer flowers. A few grow in full sun. They prefer moist, but not soggy, soils.

Can I save my begonias for next year?

The tubers can be saved over the winter and planted again the next spring for another year of showy color. Take the following steps to save your potted tuberous begonia tubers: ... Place in a dry, cool storage area (a basement or garage) and allow the tubers to cure for several weeks.

How do you save a begonia rex Overwatered?

To save overwatered begonia you need to ensure the drainage system of the pot. Assess the extent of damage, if there are root rot signs, cut off the damaged parts. Then repot it into a new pot or disinfected pot using fresh potting mix.

Can you propagate Begonia rex in water?

begonia cutting in water

But making baby begonias can be even easier if you root your cuttings in a glass of clean, fresh water. Baby food jars are the ideal size for this. It's fine to put several cuttings in each jar. Once the roots are about ½” long, the cuttings are ready to transplant.

Can you propagate Begonia rex?

Rex begonias are not only beautiful and elegant, they're also easy to propagate from leaf cuttings.

How often should you water Begonia rex?

Try to apply the water only to the soil and keep it off the foliage, which reduces disease problems. If you water early in the day, it gives the foliage time to dry before nightfall. During the winter, when the Rex begonia isn't actively growing, cut back watering to about once every two to three weeks.

Are rex begonias hard to grow?

Despite its trickiness, Begonia rex is absurdly easy to propagate, and you can make several plants from a single leaf. See more of our favorite tropical plants in Tropical Plants 101 and more indoor plants with exotic foliage in Houseplants 101.

Do deer eat rex begonias?

Begonia. Not all begonias are deer-resistant, but those with fuzzy stems/leaves or waxy/leathery leaves tend to be. ... Rex Begonias have rhizomatous stems, fuzzy leaves and stunning foliage.