Question: I just purchased a rex begonia (no name) at the farmer's market and in reading here, it would appear that they can be
planted outside, but I thought begonias, except for hardy begonias, were tender houseplants. Can someone please clarify? I don't
want to kill it!

Angie, your Begonia might enjoy a temporary summer vacation outside, either in the ground or in a pot if you would enjoy looking at & tending it that way, but you're right, won't be able to live through the cold of winter outside. Any Begonias not hardy to Z7 would not be hardy where you are. Probably me that left a wrong impression, and I apologize if so, and thanks for drawing my attention to it. Mine must also come inside to escape winter.

I'm delighted to know some of those begonias don't melt in the southern heat.

I had a friend give me a couple of angel wing begonias years ago. I love them. They bloom all summer but don't demand excessive care. Sadly they looked quite ugly with age. She told me to whack them back and start anew. I did so the plants aren't as magnificent but still full of blooms.






I got this one this spring and it requires a little different care.


We haven't quite hit our stride but at least it is still alive...





Thanks for sharing all the lovely begonia photos and good info.
I really don't need to be looking...

I think this is my fav micro-spot out in my garden, at the moment anyway:
Begonia 'Castaway' & 'Medora' with Coleus 'Florida Sun Jade' behind.

This is the only Begonia I have that I still don't know the name of, in case anyone recognizes it. Given to me by an elderly neighbor. For the first time in the 5-6 yrs I've had it, a piece that I put in the ground a few months ago is blooming. Excitement!

This shows the mature leaves, and at the left, some new growth coming from a recently cut stem.


The blooms dangling below.


I put this 'Sinbad' cutting in a spot that qualifies for full sun, though it's a total amount of sun from morning & evening, shady mid-day. The leaves are really pink.

The interesting Begonia things happening lately:


This Begonia


is making this FAT stem!

Hi everybody,
I have some sick Begonias. The epidermis starts cracking and the leaves fail to develop. Stems are also affected.
Can somebody please help?
Thanks!

Is it inside in a pot? Please post a photo that shows the entire plant and its pot.

Hi Will, yes it is.
I have also a small angel wing which fails to spread its leaves in a similar way. Only one leaf in five could develop.

@Pedro123 - I suspect there is a watering problem. How do you determine when to water and how much water do you provide?

We allow them to slightly dry before watering, then we water generously 1x every 5 days more or less. But we were not in the flat for some weeks and I heard from my friends that it was exceptionally cold meanwhile. Could it be a mixture of low temperature and too much water? Do you think there could be some fungi involved or is it just a damage caused by watering problem? Do you think they will recover?
Thanks!

It may have suffered from cold temps and also from irregular watering.

The soil appears to be quite heavy or dense. I suggest allowing the soil to dry down to about your first knuckle before watering thoroughly.

Overall, it appears to be healthy. Although previously damaged leaves will not recover, new leaf growth should be healthy. There is no evidence of any pest or disease problems.

Thank you!
I will use a lighter soil mixture in the future.

I agree, cane begonias are fun -they are so easy to root. The 'How to root cane begonias', on Brads Begonia World, was fascinating reading to me. But I can't find it anymore. Did Brad pass away and the site abandoned?
Anyway, he illustrated how you should have a couple nodes below soil and they would send up new canes.
I have/had a few big canes and a few medium or smaller ones. I have problems at times, but when they are happy they are amazing.

How are those Begonias doing out there?

Of those that I have, the rhizomatous are always the first to bloom. 'Beefsteak' The little white things are blooms falling off of a nearby tree.

This one has been fabulous at the library since starting as tip cuttings last summer, been in work since fall and kept every leaf.

I have a couple other large canes there, also had huge leaves but sort of sprawling so they are home now to redo with cuttings. I love easy cuttings !

Gorgeous!