Begonia rex aka Painted Leaf Begonia
Taxonomy
Begonia rex, commonly known as the King Begonia, is a species of flowering plant in the family Begoniaceae, native to regions from Arunachal Pradesh to southeast China. The Begonia Rex Cultorum Group, which includes over 500 distinct cultivars, was developed from B. rex and other parent species including Begonia annulata, B. cathayana, B. decora, B. diadema, B. dregei, B. grandis, B. hatacoa, B. palmata, and B. xanthina. Prized for its vivid and fascinatingly shaped and patterned foliage, Rex Begonia hybrids have been developed in a wide variety of colors, shapes and markings. Leaves grow on short stalks, and have an asymmetrical shape with a length of 4-9 inches. The leaves are variegated in shades of green to pink, purple, silver and red, while the flowers are small, pink, and mainly ornamental. In homes with pets or children, it's important to keep it out of reach as it contains oxalic acid. A variety of cultivars have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit, including 'Benitochiba', 'Carolina Moon', 'China Curl', and others. Although native to tropical regions, Begonia rex is now a popular houseplant in all climates.
Common names
Painted Leaf Begonia, King Begonia, Rex BegoniasHow to care for Painted Leaf Begonia
Difficulty
With a bit of knowledge and dedication, you can successfully care for Painted Leaf Begonia, making it a rewarding choice for those seeking a moderate challenge.
Water
Painted Leaf Begonia should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.
Soil
Painted Leaf Begonia loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.
Lighting
To ensure optimal growth, the Painted Leaf Begonia prefers bright indirect light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.
Dormancy
During the wintertime, it is common for Painted Leaf Begonia plants to go dormant and their growth rate may slow down. Therefore, the amount of waterings should be spaced out more.
Toxicity
Painted Leaf Begonia is poisonous if ingested. We suggest keeping this plant out of reach if you have children, cats, or dogs in the home.
Humidity
The Painted Leaf Begonia does not necessitate supplementary humidity. Plants primarily absorb water through their roots, rather than their leaves. Hence, the most effective way to supply humidity to your plants is by watering the soil.
Fertilizer
The Painted Leaf Begonia should be transferred to a new pot once it has increased in size two-fold, or on an annual basis, whichever occurs earlier. Replacing the soil with fresh potting soil containing all the necessary nutrients, is sufficient enough to support the growth of the plant, thus avoiding the need to use fertilizer. It's important to note that plants derive their energy from the sun and not fertilizer.
Region of origin
Painted Leaf Begonia’s native range is Tropics and Subtropics worldwide.
More info:
Wikipedia
More Species in Begonia Genus
Begonia brevirimosa Exotica Begonia
Begonia maculata Polka Dot Begonia
Begonia rex Painted Leaf Begonia
Begonia melanobullata Begonia Melanobullata
Begonia grandis Hardy Begonia
Begonia carolineifolia Palmate Begonia
Begonia imperialis Imperial Begonia
Begonia goldingiana Begonia Goldindiana
Begonia palmata
