What is a beefsteak begonia?

Begonia Erythrophylla (Beefsteak Begonia) is a rare begonia found in tropical and sub-tropical areas. Not usually sold in plant stores, the beefsteak begonia is a real collector's item. The contrast in colors between the front and back of leaves is truly spectacular.

Subsequently, one may also ask, how do you care for a beefsteak begonias?

A few pointers for the Beefsteak Begonia:

Do not water with straight tap water.
Fertilize with Alaskan Fish Fertilizer.
Do not overwater or let sit in soggy soil.
Bright indirect light in winter time window and Light Shade in summer (no direct sunlight or you will burn the leaves)

Additionally, how much sun can dragon wing begonias take? Enjoying continuous blooms from late spring to frost, Begonia 'Dragon Wing' typically forms bushy mounds up to 12-18 in. tall and across (30-45 cm). Prefers partial shade and light, rich, moist and well-drained soils. Full shade is tolerated.

In this manner, will begonias root in water?

begonia cutting in water But making baby begonias can be even easier if you root your cuttings in a glass of clean, fresh water. It's fine to put several cuttings in each jar. Once the roots are about ½” long, the cuttings are ready to transplant.

How do you get begonias to bloom?

Following some general growing tips common to most begonias, however, probably will encourage your plants to bloom.

Grow begonias in bright, indirect sunlight or dappled sunlight, preferably in an area with high humidity.
Water begonias thoroughly when the top 1/2 to 1 inch of their soil feels dry.

30 Related Question Answers Found

What kind of soil do begonias like?

Use light potting soil with extra perlite to promote proper drainage. In the garden, grow begonias in sandy loam soil. If you have heavy clay soil, grow begonias in raised beds filled with compost and topsoil.

Are begonias toxic to cats?

All of the over 1000 species of begonia are toxic to pets. After eating it, your pet's mouth will likely experience burning and vomiting may occur. The plant's juices and sap contain microscopic poisonous, needle-shaped crystals. The plant is considered mildly-toxic but the roots are especially poisonous.

How often do begonias bloom?

Begonias brighten up shady areas with their big, beautiful blooms. While most flowering plants require at least a half day of full sun, begonias actually prefer growing in the shade and will bloom continuously from summer to fall.

How do you trim beefsteak begonias?

Beefsteak Begonia Propagate Stem Cuttings

Every two years Beefsteak Begonias, Begonia erythrophylla, benefit from being pruned and propagated.
They flower their hears out in either location, adding delicate pink bouquets wherever they are growing.
Remove any lower leaves, allowing the cutting a few leaves at the top that will be above the soil.

How do you propagate Begonia rex?

Rex Begonia Propagation With Leaves

Keeping the leaf intact. Turn the leaf so that the underside is facing you.
Cutting the leaf into sections. Cut the leaf into sections, each of which has a primary vein, and insert the sections into the rooting medium with the veins partially covered.
Trimming the leaf horizontally.

How do you prune a rex begonia?

Use clean, sharp shears or a knife to cut the stems back to a leaf node. Begonias can be cut back to within 3 inches of the soil to revitalize them, if necessary, but pinching and pruning is not the end of the story.

How do you propagate rhizomatous begonias?

Pull up the horizontal rhizome of the begonia from the soil. Make cutting sections on the rhizome with a sharp, lean paring knife about 1 to 2 inches in length. Make sure at least one leaf scar, leaf stem base or growing bud is on each section. Remove leaf stems from cutting sections.

Can I take cuttings from begonias?

Some types of begonias can be propagated using different techniques like leaf cuttings, division and root cuttings. All begonias, however, can be propagated by rooting stem cuttings, sometimes called tip cuttings. Many begonias root easily, and you can use the simpler technique of rooting them in water.

How long do plant cuttings take to root?

3-4 weeks

When should I take cuttings?

It's always best to take cuttings early in the morning, when the parent plant is still turgid, i.e. full of water. This guarantees the best chance of rooting. When you take cuttings, use a sharp knife to trim the stems just below a node (or leaf joint).

How do you keep begonias alive?

Steps

Choose an indoor type of begonia. This list of begonias that grow well indoors is extensive.
Plant indoor begonias in a good indoor potting soil.
Place indoor begonias where they get bright light.
Keep indoor begonias warm.
Water begonias carefully.
Fertilize your begonias.
Groom the plants regularly.

How much sun do Begonias need?

Six to eight hours of sun is acceptable, provided wax begonias get relief from the day's hottest rays. Morning sun and late-afternoon sun are fine. Usually grown as an annual, wax begonias are hardy from U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 through 11.

Can you root a rhododendron in water?

Cuttings from young plants are likely to root more readily than those from old plants. If you don't plan on potting the cuttings immediately, put them in a plastic bag and pop them in the fridge, or simply put them in a container of water as you would a bunch of flowers.

How do you water begonias?

The main rule of thumb for watering begonias is to not let the soil dry out completely. Stick your finger into the soil, and if it dry to your first knuckle, it's time to water. Avoid overwatering, which will cause the foliage to turn yellow and eventually drop.

Do begonias come back every year?

Like Impatiens, Begonias are actually tender perennials (come back year after year) that are usually treated as annuals (gone forever at first frost). In deep shade situations, Begonias will stretch and become leggy, so do give them a spot with at least a few hours of sunlight for the best results.

Can you grow tuberous begonias from cuttings?

A common way to propagate tuberous begonias is to root cuttings. If you thin out the stems when they are about 3 inches tall, you can use those cuttings. Take a 2- to 3-inch unglazed clay pot and cork the drainage hole in its bottom. Fill a 10-inch plastic pot with vermiculite.

Can angel wing begonia be planted outside?

The Angel Wing Begonia can be grown outdoors or grown in a pot and kept as a houseplant. It will bloom all year-round and make very easy-to-maintain houseplants.