Begonia

USA;
2 - 30cm
Planting position: Semi-shade. Wind-protected area.
Requires regular summer watering but do not over water.
Well-draining, compost-enriched soil, constantly moist and slightly acidic.
Potting mixtures of one part leaf mould and three parts soil-based mix.
High-light-intensity.
Applications of liquid fertiliser during flowering period. Periodic applications of Chemicult or Nitrosol.
Cutting back when necessary. Cut Begonia’s of corm-type back after flowering and store corms.
Watch out for caterpillars, mildew and grey mould.
Propagate from cuttings, division or seed.

Therse popular begonias are truly perennials, but they are treated as annuals.
B. boweri has lush green foliage and small pinkish or white flowers.
B. coccinea with fleshy leaves and droopy clusters of large, waxy-red summer flowers.
B. gracilis is of Mexican origin and produces pinkish flowers alongside its pale, roundish foliage on a fleshy stem.
B. rex has attractive foliage variegated green, silver, grey, brown or purple, mottled or blotched.
B. semperflorens produces small clusters of pink, red or white flowers and its leaves are green or brown, glossy and ribbed.