Begonia rex

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Plant
ID 1259 Begonia rex
Botanic Name Begonia rex
Common Name Rex Begonia, Painted Leaf Begonia
Family Name Begoniaceae
Cultivars 'Edna Korts', 'Escargot', 'Fire Flush','Frau Hoffman','Helen Taupel','Her Majesty','Merry Christmas','Silver Queen','Yuletide', 'Venetian Red'
Origin Northern India, Zone 11-12
Growth Type Perennial
Bark Type Soft wooded
Foliage Type Evergreen Water Use High
No. of Species 900
Growth Habit Clumping Growth Rate Fast
Height 0.2 - 0.3 m (1 - 1 ft) Spread 0.3 m (1 ft)
Plant Overview
This Begonia is the parent of the rex-cultorum group. It has a short knotted rhizome that forms a clumping habit. It has ovate asymmetrically green leaves with a wide grey band near the margin and the small pinkish cup-shaped flowers appear in summer.
Leaf
Type Simple Additional Information
Shape Ovate
The ovate leaves have margins that may be slightly lobed, with prominent veins on the underside and are sparsely pubescent. The fleshy reddish petiole has long hairs and the upper leaf surface is warty and covered in a variety of vibrant colours.
Arrangement Basal
Margin Serrate
Colour Green with coloured markings
Size 130 - 200 mm ( 5.1 - 7.9 in )
Flower
Perfume Odorless Additional Information
Shape Cyathiform
The pink cyathiform flowers are arranged in a terminal panicle and have of both male and female flowers that have 2 to 4 petals. The flowers appear during summer and are insignificant and not normally a feature.
Inflorescence Panicle
Colour Pink
Size 15 - 20 mm ( 0.6 - 0.8 in )
Flowering in
(Southern Hemisphere)
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Fruit
Type Capsule Additional Information
Colour Brown
The small dehiscent capsule is winged and splits lengthwise to release the very fine powder-like seeds. The seeds are viable but the plant is usually reproduced vegetatively in order to maintain true to type.
Edible No
Bird Attractive No
Size 0 - 0 mm ( 0.0 - 0.0 in )
Fruiting in
(Southern Hemisphere)
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Environment & Cultivation
Natural Soil Well drained moist, fertile sandy to light loamy soil, organic, pH 6.0-7.0
Container Pots, tubs, hanging baskets, under glass in frost prone or cold climates
Climate Tropical
Aspect Semi-shade to bright filtered light with wind, frost and drought protection
Pest & Diseases Grey mould, aphids, thrips, mealy bug, vine weevil, powdery mildew
Fertiliser Add organic matter, keep moist during summer not wet, potted plants apply liquid fertiliser weekly
Pruning Not normally required, foliage dies back during winter and may be removed
Cultural Uses Propagation
They are grown in shady moist parts of the garden including rockeries and garden beds. In warm regions they are grown in hanging baskets and can be mass planted for bedding displays. They have a vigorous growth rate establishing in 1-2 years.
Surface sow fresh seeds during spring in a well-drained media, and maintain a temperature of 16 to 18 C (61 to 64 F). Prick out and pot up when they are large enough to handle. Take leaf cuttings taken from spring to summer.
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