Black Coffee Begonia Care

[MrsSky]

Hello,
This small begonia followed me home (it is a hot neon red on its stems and the back of the leaves-yes I like the back much more than the front). I was advised to not over water and no direct sun. Any other advice? It is in a very narrow and tall pot -should I repot or let it be. I killed a begonia rex about 2 years ago and I don't want to kill this one.
Thanks.

[NYCorchidman]

I think it is just a marketing name. Whatever the real name is, it looks to me like a member of Rex Begonia, the ones people grow for the beautiful foliage.

I used to have quite a few, then when I go away, many dies due to "drought". lol

I have one that I intend to keep. Mine has silver color with red on the back side. Under high light, the silver leaves do get some reddish hue.

By the way, these are tropical and cold is their biggest enemy.

The best is warm and humid, but I've been successful with them in my dry city apartment.
Also, while overwatering is not a good idea ( for any plant unless they are water plant, right?), underwatering is just about as bad. Did I mention that I killed these while I was away?
You want fine moss kind of potting mix like African Violet mix, that is light, airy, moist, yet well draining.

Keep them well watered and warm, then you will do great!

By the way, did yours come this way with leaves all hanging down low like that? I think it could be the sign of underwatering? check the potting mix and see if it isn't too dry.

Good luck!

[Hiester]

I have two Begonia rex, one Fireworks and the other I don't know the name but it has dark red foliage and a point at the end of the leaf. So far Fireworks has done fine, and is growing like crazy. The other one, the dark red plant, is just sitting there. Both are being kept in the same conditions and I bought them as companion plants for my orchids. Any idea what might cause holes to suddenly develop in the leaves of this dark red one? I have examined the plant thoroughly for pests, and I repotted it today, and I found nothing to indicate any critters are eating on it. Can a lack (or over abundance) of nutrients cause this? I have been giving both very weak fertilizer, so I am just lost about this dark red Begonia that's just at a stand still.

[MrsSky]

I don't know what could be causing the holes. Can you post pics?
I recently had one of my begonias die in about a week and I couldn't find a cause. Most of my begonias are growing crazy with my orchids.
This is a site that has begonia tips Brad's Begonia World
HTH

[Hiester]

Here's a pic. I moved them a little higher to be able to see them better. They're getting the same conditions as most of the orchids, though the light is not a strong as what the orchids get where the Begonias normal sit. I never let any water stand in the cache pots. Thanks for the link to Brad's. I've been all over that site... I love all the fancy leaved Begonias.