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The Painted - Leaf begonia , akaRex begonia , with their big , colourful leaves , avail make them hone indoor plants for the window garden .
The begonia male monarch plant belong to the genus Begonia and Begoniaceae family , which contains over 1800 specie and ‘ Angel Wing ‘ andtuberous begonia variety .
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citizenry often refer to “ REX ” as the “ showboat ” and “ King Begonia ” due to the multi - colored and bluff leaf .
While rex begonia are widely usable , there are hundreds of hybrids uncommitted of the ( Begonia Rex - cultorum group ) since the initial discovery of the metal money in northeastern India in 1858 . It has also been found in Vietnam and Southern China .
This plant is native to tropical area of northeastern India , southerly China , and Vietnam .
Photo Credit: Instagram @plantsbybing
These rhizomatous begonia plant life are typically grown as houseplant or summertime outdoor plants .
They are considered a difficult tropical plant to work but are deserving the effort , thanks to the showy foliage .
Begonia Rex Quick Care Tips
Rex begonia concern indoors require you to remember the grandness of its preference for relatively nerveless temperatures , humid condition , and moist soil . One matter you should provide the industrial plant is bright indirect light .
Rex Begonia Care
Size and Growth
paint - Leaf begonia may reach a height of 10″ to 26″ inches . It produces ellipse orheart - shaped phantasy leaved begoniaswith interesting colouration .
These rhizomatous plant have gravid and multicolored leaves . The proscribed bound of the folio may seem drab immature , while the inner parts are a mixture of pinkish and white-hot .
dark glasses of red , purple , bronze , black , and silver may also come out .
Begonia leave are often six to 12″ inches across . While it ’s an evergreen plant life , it may shed several leaves during the cold months .
Flowering and Fragrance
Although the begonia Rex is a flowering flora , it is not grow for its flowers as the leafage are much more attractive .
The blossom are insignificant , but with leaves like these , who like ? Rex begonias headline the show for months on closing in any shade garden , peculiarly when grown in containers .
It may get a bunch of small pinkish flowers at prime clock time in the centre of summertime . While the peak are adorable , they take nutrients from the plant , weakening the leaves .
Removing the prime when they look helps keep the leaf goodish .
If engraft in the garden ( a relatively rare occurrence ) , rex begonia is grown as an annual in all but the warmest climate . Because these are primarily foliage plants , heedful cultivation is important to realize their full beauty .
Light and Temperature
In USDA hardiness zones 10 and 11 , Rex begonias can grow outdoors yr - pear-shaped , enjoying the heat of the summer .
In nerveless areas , bring them outside in the summer and place them indoors in the fall . supply the plant with spate of vivid collateral sun , but keep it out of direct sunlight and rotate ofttimes to let on it to equal light on all sides .
Some people find the paint - leaf begonia difficult to care for , shin to rule the good balance of illumination and temperature .
The ideal summer temperature is 74 ° degrees Fahrenheit , while the perfect winter month temperature is 64 ° grade Fahrenheit .
The plant needs hatful of bright indirect light but not lineal sun . The vivid UV rays may scorch the leaves .
As for humid conditions , the Begonia Rex also likes high humidness . seek to maintain a comparative humidity reading above 50 % .
luminousness misting may be needed as most homes have 30 % and 40 % humidness .
larn more about growingRex Begonia under artificial lights
Watering and Feeding
Water frequently throughout the summer ensures the soil never dries out completely . In the winter , pee the plant sparingly .
The begonia Rex does n’t postulate plant food in the wintertime but welfare from dilute fourth - strength liquid fertilizer during the fighting growing time of year . provender once per month during tender time of year .
Soil and Repotting
Grow Rex using a plenteous , fast - debilitate grease mixture . It should remain moist but not soggy .
Repotting or transplantation may be want if Rex begonias outgrow its container . o forbid them , keep the plant life well - shave and move out dead leaves from the surface of the planting admixture .
Otherwise , leave it in place and refreshen the topsoil .
Repot in the first quarter of the year in shallow pile , which is also the best clip to propagate .
big , shallow pots allow the rootstock to open .
Maintenance and Grooming
Remove withered or dead leaves to keep plants looking unspoiled and boost new growth .
As mentioned , the bloom may take nutrients from the plant . When the flowers come out , remove them .
How To Propagate Rex Begonia
Propagation is possible from :
At the start of natural spring , tailor off the total folio , a rootstock , or a component of the stalk containing one or two leaves .
Painted Leaf Begonia Rex Pests or Diseases
There is a wide-cut range of fungous disease problem to devote attention to , including :
ancestor rot is often causedby too much water – overwatering . cut back rot section forth and reduce body of water frequency .
dry out leafage tipsindicate underwatering . Keep the dirt moist but not soggy , and remove the withered leaf .
Dry , brickle leaves argue depressed humidness and dry air . Provide more humidity and good strain circulation .
stunt growthtypically occurs due to a lack of food in the soil .
The begonia plant thirst a nutrient - plentiful potting like a peat moss - based African violet mix .
utilize liquid plant solid food once per week and then transplant the plant in the spring .
Powdery mildew appearsas white deposition on the stems and folio .
Slightly reduce watering and move the plant life to a vivid location after trimming away the infected country .
Gray or brownpatches indicate greyish mold . brilliant luminousness and less humidity may work out the military issue . For severe moulding , habituate a systemic antimycotic .
Uses For Rex Begonia
The short - painted folio begonia rex in quick part look slap-up under larger plant and makes beautiful hanging basketball hoop in the shade .
In cooler areas , the painted begonia is often grown indoors as a planetary house plant in shallow crapper under fluorescent lights , make it easier to savor and move this variety of houseplants to different areas in the home throughout the twelvemonth .
