I bought one of these in June in a hanging pot and it bloomed all summer long. I was suprised when I later found out these are winter blooming begonias- I was also pleased becasue guess what, it's almost winter!

The only article I found is here: http://homeguides.sfgate.com/m... There are others, but they all seem cut and pasted from this.


I found a bunch of 4" pots about a month ago and brought those home - but they are NOT doing well. The leaves are browning and curling. At first I thought it was just adjusting to new conditions, then I wondered if they were getting too much direct sun that might be burning them, even though its already late in the year in NY and moved them to a shadier location. I know I haven't over watered, but I keep loosing leaves and bud branches one at a time. Could low 50s at night be too cold? the article says 50-60, but Im second guessing. It also recommends an east or west facing window- but where I live that's really not much sun and the one I had that flourished over the summer did get a lot more sun than that- direct sun from about 2pm till dusk and didn't mind the heat at all. The new blooms are weak, with only half as many petals as they should have and they start turning brown almost immediately after opening.

I've also tried rooting pieces I had to cut becasue I accidentally bent their stems, without any luck at all. I'm using rooting hormone, potting mix thats about 50/50 peat and peralite, the stems are rotting within days. I'm not even getting close. All the pieces have had at least 2-3 nodes under the soil line. I'm keeping the leaves dry.

What are your experiences with this plant? Any advice

Fantastic job keeping it going & gorgeous! I have had only bad experiences with this plant, so don't have any advice, but I think you discovered something very important about plants. Location is such a huge factor, the combination of latitude, altitude, and overall environment like light and temp.

When reading about plants, it can be difficult to know if the info is written from where and about locations where the plant is hardy, or as it is cultivated in the captivity of a pot, which can produce totally different results when compared to grounded specimens. Asking in a forum like this is so much more helpful, IMVHO, since you can know where the participants are, and ask questions to see how closely related their situation is to yours.

Continued good luck!

I hate when this happens
The first one was so easygoing, and when I found out I was keeping it in all the wrong conditions and that this is the time of year they like, and they don't need a lot of sun, I was so excited- I would have these beauties blooming all winter! Jackpot!

Flimflammed once again

Paula, I've tried many times to keep this beauty over winter and they never made it, 50's are to cold for them and the heat & dryness of my apartment is what finished them off. Yours is a beauty, I can see why you want to keep it going

If a plant is doing well, you're not keeping it in the wrong conditions.

I am going to try to keep my beautiful reiger begonia going over the winter as well. It has been just a mass of blooms over the season, hanging on the front porch where I can see it from my easy chair. Now indoors, I have it in front of a south facing patio door which will get good sunlight most days. Today is a bit gloomy, first blast of winter can be seen outside; bah! Good luck with your rieger; lets compare our success stories next spring!

Gorgeous! I love the totally optimistic attitude(s) in this discussion!

Debbie I will compare stories,
I don't know how much success I will be able to claim,
I will certainly let you know what happens


If anyone else is out there- feel confident that when January rolls around I'll still be trying my best to hump these through the winter... tips are almost NEVER too late

I haven't grown riegers, but have grown several other begonias. I'm 'pretty good' with plants but begonias act weird sometimes, ....I suspect, since they are so juicy, that they don't need as much water as one might think, and the roots seem very fine and thin , and maybe very prone to sudden death. Perhaps they want to stay moist but with a VERY loose aerated soil?
All speculation, but that's my experience and guess with begonias in general.