Identify Begonia Plant?
Tracee 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.
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.