Are Begonia Rex Plants Poisonous?

Are Begonia rex plants poisonous?

Rex Begonias are harmful to both cats and dogs, according to the ASPCA.

• Clinical Symptoms: Kidney failure (in grazing animals), vomiting, and salivation in dogs/cats are all symptoms of kidney failure. The majority of the poisonous material is found underground.
• Principles of Toxicity: Calcium oxalates that are soluble
• Toxicity: toxic to dogs, cats, and horses.

Are Begonia rex safe for cats?

Rex begonias are toxic cats. Eating even small amounts can cause severe gastrointestinal distress and even death. Rex begonias contain calcium oxalate crystals, which cause intense burning of the mouth and throat.

Rex begonias are poisonous to cats and dogs if ingested. Rex begonias contain calcium oxalate crystals, which cause intense burning of the mouth and throat. As little as one bite can be fatal to a small dog or cat when ingested.

Can Begonia rex live outside?

Rex begonia (Begonia rex-cultorum) is a semi-tropical perennial plant that is typically planted as an indoor or outdoor container plant. Commercially available forms are carefully produced variations of the B. rex species, which is native to regions of eastern Asia.

In all save the warmest climes, rex begonia is grown as an annual if planted in the garden (a somewhat rare occurrence).

A Rex Begonia can be grown outdoors as long as the night temperature is above 50 degrees. They make fantastic porch plants and look beautiful in any largely shady yard. Window boxes facing north or otherwise shaded from harsh sun are ideal for displaying a variety of leaf hues and shapes.

Can a rex begonia be rooted in water?

Yes, it can.

To water propagate your Begonia, just immerse the stem in water while leaving the leaves sticking out. Then, to ensure ideal growing circumstances, place the vase or glass containing the plant in a bright and warm location.

There’s no need to use a soilless mix or rooting hormone because these plants desire to grow. They can be started in a glass of water. Keep the begonia cut stems cool and moist until you’re ready to place them in a transparent vase or jar of water.

Make sure you know which side is up, because putting the tips down in the water can prevent the cuttings from rooting.

Rhizomatous begonias, such as the rex begonia, can be propagated readily through rhizome division during repotting. Almost all begonia species can be propagated from leaf-tip cuttings. A rooting hormone might assist the cuttings in sprouting.

Can you plant Begonia rex outside?

Rex Begonia (Begonia rex-cultorum) is a perennial that is suitable for tropical, subtropical, and warm-climate gardens. It is not recommended for planting outdoors in colder climates, but experienced gardeners can probably succeed with this plant outside in U.S.

Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 9 through 11. Rex begonia is an herbaceous, or non-woody, perennial that generally grows 3 to 6 feet tall and wide over the course of a single growing season.

Can you propagate a begonia rex?

Rex begonia can be propagated. Rhizomatous begonias, such as the rex begonia, are easily propagated through rhizome division during repotting. Almost all begonia species can be propagated from leaf-tip cuttings. A rooting hormone might assist the cuttings in sprouting.

Rex Begonias can also be propagated by pinning a leaf to the bedding mix and making minor incisions in the leaf veins, or by immediately inserting a leaf (with a petiole) into the soil. The petiole is the stalk that connects the leaf blade to the stem of the plant.

Do Begonia rex like to be root bound?

Because begonias like to be root bound, wait until the container is completely filled with roots before repotting. If you gently take the plant from its pot, you will notice this. Allow the begonia to grow if there is still loose dirt. When the plant’s roots have absorbed all of the dirt, it is ready to transplant.

A larger container is not always required for a begonia transplant. A begonia may wither and tumble over from time to time.

This indicates that the roots have begun to rot and that there is an excess of soil giving more nutrients (and water) than the plant need. In this situation, you will be relocating the begonia to a smaller pot rather than a larger one.

Do Rex Begonia come back every year?

Rex begonia does come back every year if the climate is right for it. In cold climates, it dies down to the ground during winter and then regrows in spring. Rex begonia may require some protection in cold climates, especially if the plant has not been hardened off before winter.

In spring and summer, this begonia is a tropical plant that grows best in the sun. The easiest way to protect these begonias from the frost is to use the potted plant indoors, bringing it inside during cold temperatures.

Does Rex Begonia like humidity?

The optimal conditions for Rex begonias are moderate temperatures (60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit) and somewhat high humidity (around 50 percent). Growth slows in frigid temperatures, and some begonias lay dormant over the winter owing to a lack of light.

The rex and other foliage begonias, like other begonias, prefer the same humid, mild habitat that understory ferns do.

How big do Begonia rex plants get?

With all of the breeding that has gone on with Rex begonias, it’s difficult not to find one that catches your eye, especially as more and more choices with a wide range of colors and unique veining and puckering in the leaves are being released.

The leaf sizes vary but can grow up to 9 inches long and 5 inches wide, and the plants’ mounding habit can reach 12 to 18 inches tall and wide—the ideal proportions for creating stunning and dramatic planting combinations with perennials, annuals, or other tropical beauties.

How do you care for a begonia rex vine?

Vining rex begonias are leaf-rooting, woody stem plants that grow relatively fast and appreciate full sun in tropical and subtropical regions or in protected locations. There are several types of vining Rex begonias, including the rhizomatous Rex Goliath series, which can grow to 9 feet tall by early summer.

These vining begonias produce huge leaves up to 5 feet long that resemble oak leaves and become wavy with age.

Sunlight: Indirect light that ranges from moderate to bright.

Water: Water on a weekly basis, allowing the top inch of soil to dry between waterings.

Humidity: Can tolerate low humidity but prefers high humidity. Avoid misting, which can cause powdery mildew problems.

Temperature: The average home temperature ranges from 65°F to 75°F. The Rex Begonia is comfortable if you’re comfortable.

How do you care for a Rex Begonia escargot?

Escargot is a cultivar of a group of begonias known as Rex begonias (Rex cultorum group). It grows to a height of 6 to 12 inches. Rex begonias are evergreen perennials that survive for many years in warm locations where freezing winter temperatures do not occur.

You can plant them as summer annuals in frigid climates, enjoying them for a single growing season before succumbing to frost.

Prefers organically rich, moist but well-drained soils in moderate shade. During the growing season, Rex begonias require high humidity and frequent fertilization. Allow the soil to dry between waterings and avoid overwatering, which can lead to fungal infections and decay. Pruning is not required.

How do you divide Rex Begonia rhizomes?

Rex begonias give a splash of color to your indoor or outdoor potted plants. Rex begonias grow from rhizomes, which are root systems that generate buds and roots to form the plant. To reproduce new plants, the rhizome is broken apart and divided.

If you want to add more begonias to your houseplant collection, divide a Rex begonia after it outgrows its pot or when the plant is at least three years old.

To divide:

Using a shovel or your hands, remove the Rex begonia tuber from the pot. If you’re using a spade, avoid nicking or cutting the tuber.

Brush away the excess soil and inspect the rhizome for buds. These have the appearance of pink or red pimples, comparable to the growing eyes on potatoes.

With a sharp knife, cut the tuber apart, leaving three growing eyes on each piece. Remove any shriveled or soft and rotten tuber parts and discard them. To avoid illness, apply fungicide to each cut surface of the roots. Fungicide for begonias is sold in garden centers.

Fill an 8-inch-diameter pot halfway with a well-draining soil mixture. To keep it moist, water until it starts dripping from the bottom drainage holes.

Plant one tuber part in each container. Plant the root with the flat or concave portion facing up. Sow the tuber so that the surface is at or below soil level.

Keep the soil moist but not soggy in a brilliantly lit, 60-to-70-degree F environment. Fertilize your houseplants every two weeks with a liquid houseplant fertilizer.

How do you plant Rex Begonia seeds?

Begonia seeds are quite tiny and require light to germinate. The main factors are:

• Sow seeds indoors at temperatures ranging from 68° to 75°.
• There is no need for a cover because light promotes germination.
• The microscopic, dust-like seeds should germinate in 15-20 days.
• Sow the seeds indoors at any time.
• Sow wax begonias 12 weeks before planting out and tuberous begonias 12-16 weeks before planting out for outdoor use.
• It is recommended a maximum planting depth of 4X the width of the seed when spreading seed outdoors.

How do you propagate Begonia rex leaves?

Rex begonias are not only lovely and graceful, but they are very simple to cultivate from leaf cuttings. This is how you may get more of these wonderful plants for free.

Step 1: Gather your materials for propagating rex begonias.

Step 2: Take a leaf cutting from your rex begonia.

Step 3: Cut the rex begonia leaf.

Flip the begonia leaf over and use your knife to make a 12-inch cut across five or six of the main veins. In the photo above, I’ve sliced each vein approximately an inch from the central vein. These incisions (together with the stem cut) will result in the formation of additional plantlets.

Step 4: Insert the rex begonia leaf into the seed-starting mixture.

Reverse the begonia leaf and press it into the seed-starting mix. Then, to maintain the cuts in touch with the mix, begin inserting T-pins into the soil through the leaves. Use as many as necessary to keep the leaf flat. If you poke a pin through a primary leaf vein, the vein may not root.

Step 5: Give the begonia leaf cutting humidity and light.

Wrap your container in plastic wrap or cover it with its dome. However, avoid allowing the plastic to come into contact with the foliage to avoid fungal problems.

Maintain a temperature of around 70 degrees Fahrenheit and a high humidity level for your leaf cutting. You can sprinkle every day and water it once a week.

Give them light: place fluorescent lights 6 inches above the cuttings and leave them on for around 12 hours each day until the young plants emerge. You might also place your leaf cuttings in an east window as long as the temperature is consistently warm.

How do you prune a begonia rex?

Rex begonias require little trimming unless long, bare stems need to be pruned back or you want a fuller plant. Simply cut the stem down to the base with clean pruning snips, and the remaining section should produce new leaves and stems. Pinching the tips of younger plants also encourages them to become fuller.

How do you save an overwatered Begonia rex?

To salvage an overwatered begonia, carefully take it from its pot and examine the root system. If the roots become mushy, soft, and brown or black in color, cut them out and discard the healthy parts. After that, add a fungicide solution to the roots and repot the plant in a well-drained container.

How do you take care of a red rex begonia?

Rex begonias are easy enough to maintain. It will be a bit hard for you if your rex begonia wilts in the heat or it turns yellow suddenly. Then, you will have to know how to take care of a red rex begonia. Follow these simple steps and you will have a rex begonia that is healthy and beautiful.

Water your red rex begonia when the top of the soil feels dry. It is best to water it in the morning or early evening.

The plant needs to have plenty of light. If you are a beginner, you should place your rex begonia near the window with bright sunlight for several hours a day. Increase the time as it grows. Fluorescent lights will also work well for this purpose.

Fertilize your rex begonia at least once a month in the spring and summer. You will find that if you feed it too often, it might develop a strong smell. If this happens, you will have to find something else to do with your begonia.

Pinch off flowers to encourage new growth.

How much sun does a begonia rex need?

Rex begonias are shade loving plants that do best in indirect light, with the lower leaves turning a beautiful crimson color. Like other begonias, they need to be watered when the top inch of soil dries between waterings.

Rex begonias are not true sun lovers, preferring shade and being happiest in a semi-shade location. To ensure that the begonia is not located in full sun for the most amount of time, place it in a sunny window.

These plants are herbaceous perennials that grow from rhizomes, which are plant stems that grow horizontally underground or across the soil surface.

Although these potted plants are moderately drought-tolerant, it is advisable to ensure that the soil stays consistently moist before wilt sets in.

How often should I water my begonia rex?

Regular watering is required for Rex begonias, but be careful not to over-water them. They also prefer humidity but dislike direct misting, which promotes powdery mildew. Before watering, allow the soil surface to become dry to the touch.

Water should be applied exclusively to the soil and not to the leaves to reduce disease concerns. Watering early in the day allows the foliage to dry before evening. Reduce watering to once every two to three weeks during the winter, when the Rex begonia isn’t actively growing.