That's Begonia 'Curly Fireflush' - I'd already put some footage of it onscreen earlier with a label that's why I didn't do it this time. Great plant - amazing red hairs!
I agree with you! My begonias ( mostly rhizome types) do fine on my sunporch during winter. Temps drop into the mid 40’s F at night even with a heater. And I don’t add extra humidity. They seem to do fine. Of course they are happier come spring with warmer temps. Then they really take off!
Great advice. I´m just starting with begonias this year. I got several cuttings and sadly killed some before I figured out the watering. The survivors are B. rex ´Rainbow Falls´and ´Fireworks´. I grow them in pon, slow-release fertiliser and self-watering pot - this set up finally works and they are all in full bloom now, so happy 🙂I´ll definitely get more begonias 🙂
I put a plastic bag over both of mine a while ago to see if more humidity would help but the leaves rotted (the balance between too few holes in the bag and too many was almost impossible to get) so I've not put them under a grow light - fingers crossed! Not buying any more until I've got the hang of these two :D
Yeah the issue with the bag is that although humidity is improved, ventilation and air movement isn’t! But hopefully you’ll find by just adding the light that will be enough.
I mentioned that my Begonias prefer to be slightly moist in my home environment. However, what I failed to mention was that they vary. My cane-types prefer to be slightly moist. I've observed that the leaves can curl slightly inwards when allowed to dry out entirely. They're thirsty plants. So I changed them to self-watering pots, and it's made all the difference. It's almost as if they feel secure enough now to spread out their leaves owing to the consistency 😂 Unlike my rhizomatous types that can tolerate slight drought-like conditions.
Yeah there are so many factors when it comes to watering - there just isn't a straight answer. I should try self-watering pots one day - might save me a few hours a week!
You know I love begonias Geoff and have a few. Your collection and care regime is awesome. I HAVE got a degree in Botany and have lost more than not, so your lived experience is far more useful! I cannot keep B. fuchsiodes, B. luxurians, B. Down home B. serratipetala etc etc etc for love nor for money. Useful, practical, sensible video as always thank you. I cannot promise I'll be better at keeping my nemeses alive but that is my issue not yours. Glasshouse looks fabulous by the way... so full and luxuriant!
When you first enthused about Begonias I was luke warm on them - but that's because I didn't realise how wide and varied they are. Also they grow well for me which always helps! 😂 I'm tempted to get another Beg. luxurians because I kind of miss it.
A bounty of information here, thanks. I reached a turning point when I accepted the "succulence" of begonia tissue and accordingly adjusted my watering strategy and media recipe, which is a reliable potting soil improved with some small grade orchid bark, additional perlite, and horticultural charcoal. That's helped greatly with my favorite begonia, a Rex named 'Fedor'. You can Google images for this, but they don't do justice to the beautiful hues and texture of this cultivar.
I'm glad you've found what works for you and your plants, in your unique environment. I think you're right - many Begonias look much better in real life than in photos.
Hi there☺️🙌I just subscribed🌟I enjoyed your care-tips on begonias. I do have a hybrid and it is both heat and semi-cold hard with trimerous white flowers, It survived the 37℃ daily we have here in Japan, and the humidity of 80% It did decline a bit, so I took cuttings, and one piece is growing wonderfully🥰
Welcome! Although I'm sure I recognise your name - maybe a returning subscriber? Either way, happy to have you here. Glad to hear of your Begonia success!
Two questions: 1. In your experience which is the higher temperature that a begonia tuberosa can resist ? 2. Did you ever read about preservativs used from the nurseries to treat the medium ?
1. I don’t grow tuberous types (except for the one in the video that was gifted to me) so I’m not the best person to ask. Having said that, I expect it would depend on several factors like: the size of the plant, the stage of its development, the humidity of the environment, ventilation, duration of the high temperature and so on. Probably not the answer you’re looking for, but the truth is, there is no definitive number. 2. Yes I’m sure nurseries use all sorts of additives for media, maybe to preserve shelf life for example, or to keep pests and other pathogens to a minimum.
have killed every begonia i've purchased except for Marmaduke and even that one went down to a single very tiny leaf before deciding a comeback was necessary (and now it is too huge - about 2-1/2 feet across but it has never flowered) - the common denominator was they died shortly after their first up-potting - i think i may have learned a lesson from this and may try again
Hi, Geoff! Thank you for this very helpful, great video! Some of the leaves of my Begonia masoniana are losing the bright color marks they had. I suspect this could be a light issue. I will see what I can do!
For my Begonias I use general purpose compost plus perlite to improve drainage and to help them to dry out more quickly in my cooler, humid environment. My other plants are in all sorts of things!
Where I live it is mostly 93 and goes to 88 in winter mine always look distressed I have two inside the house under air conditioning which look fine but they are not thriving they remain little. I’m about to give up. Yours are stunning ♥️
@@Grow_Up_Man55 yeah I was thinking about getting one of the cabinets... Maybe I'll buy one begonia for practice and keep it in a bag for a bit and see if that works 🤔 good video though!
Looked it up and it does look like you'd struggle with many rex-type Begonias which seem to be susceptible to humidity issues. Maybe try one of the other types. But yeah a terrarium - or just a cheap fish tank would work really well.
Yes I had this but it died. It was during my 'spider mite' phase when I didn't realise I had them. Begonia 'Down Home' is similar but that's growing really strongly right now. Light is key!
@@Grow_Up_Man55 I have a hanging grow light for a dark corner that needs to be put up, I’ll see which begonia I come across first! Sigh like I need another plant..🌱 well yes-yes I do, winter is coming 🤣
Again even with this there is nuance. An established plant will react differently to a seedling. A window at the equator will have stronger sun than a window in the north of England. I would still say in general, especially for beginner growers, it's sound advice to avoid placing any houseplant in direct sun through glass - but...people need to experiment with their own plants in their own environment and find what works for them.
A good theory! But I found Begonia arachnoidea doesn't really have many hairs yet it definitely needs very high humidity otherwise it starts failing. Hairs can mean other things like needing protection from the sun - or sometimes they've just been bred into the hybrid.
Well after seeing this I may try another begonia, a big box store near me has a small silver and burgundy leafed one for about $5. I really would like the B.longicilita though, or B. ferox, or B. ‘Escargot’….good, inspiring video! 🪴🎃
Helpful myth busting tips. Thanks! What is the variety you’re holding in the pest segment of the video? It’s incredible!
That's Begonia 'Curly Fireflush' - I'd already put some footage of it onscreen earlier with a label that's why I didn't do it this time. Great plant - amazing red hairs!
I agree with you! My begonias ( mostly rhizome types) do fine on my sunporch during winter. Temps drop into the mid 40’s F at night even with a heater. And I don’t add extra humidity. They seem to do fine. Of course they are happier come spring with warmer temps. Then they really take off!
Thanks Donna - good to know. I’d love a sun porch! ☀️☀️☀️
Great advice. I´m just starting with begonias this year. I got several cuttings and sadly killed some before I figured out the watering. The survivors are B. rex ´Rainbow Falls´and ´Fireworks´. I grow them in pon, slow-release fertiliser and self-watering pot - this set up finally works and they are all in full bloom now, so happy 🙂I´ll definitely get more begonias 🙂
Thanks! I'm glad you've managed to find a setup that works for you in your environment. I envy anyone with self-watering pots! 😂
I put a plastic bag over both of mine a while ago to see if more humidity would help but the leaves rotted (the balance between too few holes in the bag and too many was almost impossible to get) so I've not put them under a grow light - fingers crossed! Not buying any more until I've got the hang of these two :D
Yeah the issue with the bag is that although humidity is improved, ventilation and air movement isn’t! But hopefully you’ll find by just adding the light that will be enough.
I mentioned that my Begonias prefer to be slightly moist in my home environment. However, what I failed to mention was that they vary. My cane-types prefer to be slightly moist. I've observed that the leaves can curl slightly inwards when allowed to dry out entirely. They're thirsty plants. So I changed them to self-watering pots, and it's made all the difference. It's almost as if they feel secure enough now to spread out their leaves owing to the consistency 😂 Unlike my rhizomatous types that can tolerate slight drought-like conditions.
Yeah there are so many factors when it comes to watering - there just isn't a straight answer. I should try self-watering pots one day - might save me a few hours a week!
You know I love begonias Geoff and have a few. Your collection and care regime is awesome. I HAVE got a degree in Botany and have lost more than not, so your lived experience is far more useful! I cannot keep B. fuchsiodes, B. luxurians, B. Down home B. serratipetala etc etc etc for love nor for money. Useful, practical, sensible video as always thank you. I cannot promise I'll be better at keeping my nemeses alive but that is my issue not yours. Glasshouse looks fabulous by the way... so full and luxuriant!
When you first enthused about Begonias I was luke warm on them - but that's because I didn't realise how wide and varied they are. Also they grow well for me which always helps! 😂 I'm tempted to get another Beg. luxurians because I kind of miss it.
PS. I really like your videos!
Aw thanks!🙏😃
Great video
Thanks!
A bounty of information here, thanks. I reached a turning point when I accepted the "succulence" of begonia tissue and accordingly adjusted my watering strategy and media recipe, which is a reliable potting soil improved with some small grade orchid bark, additional perlite, and horticultural charcoal. That's helped greatly with my favorite begonia, a Rex named 'Fedor'. You can Google images for this, but they don't do justice to the beautiful hues and texture of this cultivar.
I'm glad you've found what works for you and your plants, in your unique environment. I think you're right - many Begonias look much better in real life than in photos.
Hi there☺️🙌I just subscribed🌟I enjoyed your care-tips on begonias. I do have a hybrid and it is both heat and semi-cold hard with trimerous white flowers, It survived the 37℃ daily we have here in Japan, and the humidity of 80% It did decline a bit, so I took cuttings, and one piece is growing wonderfully🥰
Welcome! Although I'm sure I recognise your name - maybe a returning subscriber? Either way, happy to have you here. Glad to hear of your Begonia success!
Two questions:
1. In your experience which is the higher temperature that a begonia tuberosa can resist ?
2. Did you ever read about preservativs used from the nurseries to treat the medium ?
1. I don’t grow tuberous types (except for the one in the video that was gifted to me) so I’m not the best person to ask. Having said that, I expect it would depend on several factors like: the size of the plant, the stage of its development, the humidity of the environment, ventilation, duration of the high temperature and so on. Probably not the answer you’re looking for, but the truth is, there is no definitive number.
2. Yes I’m sure nurseries use all sorts of additives for media, maybe to preserve shelf life for example, or to keep pests and other pathogens to a minimum.
have killed every begonia i've purchased except for Marmaduke and even that one went down to a single very tiny leaf before deciding a comeback was necessary (and now it is too huge - about 2-1/2 feet across but it has never flowered) - the common denominator was they died shortly after their first up-potting - i think i may have learned a lesson from this and may try again
Possibly up-potted too soon then left them too wet for too long? Just an idea, as so many factors could be causing this. Maybe the light isn't enough?
@@Grow_Up_Man55 yup - exactly that - too soon and too large a pot (so yes, stayed wet too long)
Hi, Geoff! Thank you for this very helpful, great video! Some of the leaves of my Begonia masoniana are losing the bright color marks they had. I suspect this could be a light issue. I will see what I can do!
Pleased you enjoyed it, Monica! Yes sounds like light to me too. Many Begonias change leaf colour in differing light levels. Good luck!
Do you use compost for your potting media???? And thats for all your tropical 's
For my Begonias I use general purpose compost plus perlite to improve drainage and to help them to dry out more quickly in my cooler, humid environment. My other plants are in all sorts of things!
Where I live it is mostly 93 and goes to 88 in winter mine always look distressed I have two inside the house under air conditioning which look fine but they are not thriving they remain little. I’m about to give up. Yours are stunning ♥️
Wow that's some hot temperatures! Many species do grow in hot, humid places though. Maybe try increasing the light?
Yeah I live in Vegas I think it might just be too dry for begonias or calatheas here, the edges always crisp until it gets to the center of the leaf 😢
Possibly. If it's generally below 30% humidity for extended periods of time they might struggle. The alternative is a terrarium.
@@Grow_Up_Man55 yeah I was thinking about getting one of the cabinets... Maybe I'll buy one begonia for practice and keep it in a bag for a bit and see if that works 🤔 good video though!
Looked it up and it does look like you'd struggle with many rex-type Begonias which seem to be susceptible to humidity issues. Maybe try one of the other types. But yeah a terrarium - or just a cheap fish tank would work really well.
Have you had a B. maculata? It’s a cane begonia, I’ve seen them a lot, and was wondering how they are to grow. 🌱🤔
Yes I had this but it died. It was during my 'spider mite' phase when I didn't realise I had them. Begonia 'Down Home' is similar but that's growing really strongly right now. Light is key!
@@Grow_Up_Man55 I have a hanging grow light for a dark corner that needs to be put up, I’ll see which begonia I come across first! Sigh like I need another plant..🌱 well yes-yes I do, winter is coming 🤣
🤣 You know it'll be worth it!
@@Grow_Up_Man55 When I get one I’ll name it Geoff ! 🤣
@grannyplants1764 🤣 good solid name!
My begonias appreciate some direct sunlight through a window.
Again even with this there is nuance. An established plant will react differently to a seedling. A window at the equator will have stronger sun than a window in the north of England. I would still say in general, especially for beginner growers, it's sound advice to avoid placing any houseplant in direct sun through glass - but...people need to experiment with their own plants in their own environment and find what works for them.
Do you think that the amount of hairs on the plants indicate its humidity needs?
A good theory! But I found Begonia arachnoidea doesn't really have many hairs yet it definitely needs very high humidity otherwise it starts failing. Hairs can mean other things like needing protection from the sun - or sometimes they've just been bred into the hybrid.
Well after seeing this I may try another begonia, a big box store near me has a small silver and burgundy leafed one for about $5. I really would like the B.longicilita though, or B. ferox, or B. ‘Escargot’….good, inspiring video! 🪴🎃
@@grannyplants1764 Thanks Judy! Glad you enjoyed it.