Identify Begonia Plant?
January 24th, 2007 | By: Jamie Jamison AdamsTracee asks:
I have been trying for months off an on to find the identity of this plant. A small start was given to me as a gift from a friend. She has no idea what is is, as a start was given to her. I have replanted it into a larger pot, and am thinking I need to again. It has really grown well, but I would like to know what it is and a little more about it. Can you help me? Any information that I could get and share with the friend that gave it to me would be greatly appreciated.
Jamie's Reply: I believe you plant is some type of hybridized begonia; possible in the rex begonia family. It looks like a bloom bud might be forming. If it blooms it should prove to be a hybrid begonia. I hope this helps. I try to find out more about this plant and send you the information. Reply: After consulting with Janet Carson at the Arkansas Extention Service we believe you have a rhizomatous begonia possibly a star begonia (Begonia heracleifolia). The American Begonia Society has culture information concerning this type of begonia. Go to American Begonia Society to find out more about your begonia. Hope I helped.
Tracee responds:
Thank you SO much for the information about my plant. It is DEFINITLY a Rhizmatous Begonia. I did some more research on it, and found a wonderful picture of one that is very much like mine. I guess I have lucked out as far as the care of it, and it's grown well. I have learned some tips though, so that'll help when I replant.
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March 6th, 2007 at 4:50 pm
Hi Tracee,
I am pretty sure your begonia is called B. 'Immense', and indeed it is a rhizomtous.
Wonderful plant, and easy growing;
Cheers
Denis
December 6th, 2007 at 6:42 pm
I have this same exact begonia. Well it looks exactly like yours, I have the same story a friend of mine had it and was killing it and gave it to me and now it is huge. I have also been trying to identify my begonia for a while and i haven't been able to. Can you share the information you received about how to take care of this type of plant. Thanks, Melodi
April 5th, 2008 at 4:22 pm
I have been trying to identify this begonia for years too. I was given a cutting of this plant years ago and it is now in a 17" pot and a monstor. The original plant belonged to my uncle's mother, he is 88 and his mother died in the early 50's. All of the family has been given cuttings and we call this plant "Grandma Sarah's" in honor of her. I've given several of my friend's cuttings over the years. I love the plant but hate the little pink flowers that drop all over my white carpeting. I just got fed up the other day with the flowers and cut them all off. I hope I didn't damage the plant. I have several smaller plants sitting on my kitchen table that are waiting to be transplanted. I'd love to hear more about how you are caring for your plant.
Thanks
May 21st, 2008 at 9:18 pm
Yes this is a begonia Immense, The book I have says it is a seedlig offspring of B. x ricinifolia. My grandmother gave this plant to me about 35 yrs ago. I love how the leaves get to be over 18" in diameter. Very easy to grow and it will flower if givin bright filtered light. Plenty of off-shoots appear too. Mine does very well in a west or east facing window. I have to watch when it needs water cause when I let it get too dry the leaves will droop and not return to thier original position. As the plant ages the leaves will settle a bit though. The off-shoot will root very fast too. I have propagated it by cutting leaf vein segments also. Very easy to do. Mine does best in a rich potting soil and I set it back form a bright filtered east or west facing window.
May 15th, 2009 at 5:53 pm
I have a huge (8ft +) that I bring in in the fall and take out in the spring. I have been trying to identify it but not able. I believe it to be a begonia. It grows all winter . Can anyone identify this plant?
Attached Image: begonias 002.jpg
May 18th, 2009 at 7:45 am
I believe you have a Begonia x corallina "Lucerna" or "Carriere".
October 8th, 2009 at 10:21 am
That is my begonia, also from my grandmother. I'm having trouble since my move. I only have a few left and would like to find more in case I lose these. Any suggestions?
October 8th, 2009 at 11:51 am
Check with your local garden center (not box store garden center – a real garden center) in the spring. If you tell me what area you live in, I might know one to direct you to.
June 10th, 2010 at 7:12 am
My grandmother has given all the family these begonia cuttings… and was told that they were the \"old hotel begonia\'s\" since they grow to the pot size they are in, and they put them in the old round sofa\'s with the huge plants with huge leaves coming out of the middle. I have only seen them in our family… so I laugh when I hear that they got a clipping from a clipping and no one knows what they are. I was also told they were extinct, but then again, I come here and see them. But as for maybe in the wild, I dont know. But now at least I have a name for them.
February 3rd, 2011 at 8:36 pm
I bought one of these begonias years ago in a second hand shop. I call it my Fraggle begonia but have never been able to get to the bottom of the mystery. I love this plant because it is so easy to care for. I have about 10 different types of begonias and this one is the least picky. I need to know how to repot mine or how to take cuttings I love it so much I don't wanna risk it. Also I need to know how to take cuttings from a beef steak begonia. If anyone has some advise i would love to hear it. Thanks.
April 6th, 2011 at 10:52 pm
Here is the Begonia Rex, beautiful flower,, She likes to be nearby to the window and to have 2 hours of light directly, aprox.
this photo is in Peru. 2005
Attached Image: Begonia Rex-1.jpg
April 7th, 2011 at 8:30 am
Very beautiful indeed, Milly! Thanks for sharing!