Not only for their handsome foliage, but because they present a challenge to the ability of the grower, the varieties of rex begonia (the King’s begonia) are my favorite house plants. If conditions do not suit them, they go dormant all Winter, but my gas-free, steam-heated sun porch facing the south provides a warm humid atmosphere in which they flourish all through the year.
Soil Requirements
I use a soil composed of sharp sand, loam, old cow manure, plenty of oak leafmold, bone meal and superphosphate. I pack this light, friable soil gently around their fine delicate roots which bruise easily and provide for ample drainage. While they like plenty of water, I do not keep them in a wet condition, and withhold water entirely on dull days in Winter. Water on the leaves will cause brown spots to appear.
Propagate by Leaf Wedges
In February I start repotting and propagating. Propagation is from leaves, wedges cut from leaves and plant divisions. The latter method needs no explanation. The wedges or the leaves, with about a half inch of stem, I insert perpendicularly in damp sharp sand, firmly packed in an eight-inch bulb pan, which I then place in an old aquarium, cover with glass, and put on a plank on a radiator.
I ventilate and water as needed. In two or three weeks, sometimes longer, they will root, and tiny leaves appear. When the plant is well rooted and strong enough, I transplant to a two and half inch pot, and then repot as necessary. Hybridizing is fascinating, and has endless possibilities.
Mildew, caused by cold dampness,’ is their chief enemy, but is taken care of by dusting the leaves with sulphur.
Large, small, or spiral leaved of smooth, pebbly, ridged or hairy texture, with!infinite patterns of red, maroon, silver and shades of green – all rex varieties are beautiful and deserve to be more widely grown.
P Merry, Needham, Mass.