Rieger begonias are beautiful flowering houseplants that are especially popular this time of year, although they are available year round. They have dark green, glossy leaves, that are serrated on the edge. The clusters of delicate rose like flowers rise above the foliage on the ends of fleshy stems and come in a large variety of colours including red, orange, white, yellow, pink and salmon. The flowers are double or semidouble.

 

If cared for properly Rieger begonias will bloom for months. Rieger begonias were developed by crossing several types of tuberous and wax begonias. They do best in bright, indirect light such as an east or west window. Too much direct sunlight will cause the foliage to burn.

 

Rieger Begonias do not like very hot, or very cold temperatures. They prefer average home temperatures of 18-21 Celsius. Keep them away from heat sources or cold drafts. Do not overwater a Rieger begonia but don’t let it go dry either. Feel the top of the soil, and when the soil is dry to the touch, give the plant a good thorough water (using room temperature water) and drain out any excess water. If it is kept too wet the leaves will start to turn yellow or the stems will get mushy and turn brown. There are more plants killed with overwatering then under watering.

 

When giving the plant water try not to to get water on the foliage as Begonias are prone to powdery mildew. Powdery mildew looks like white powdery patches on the plant, and it will seriously harm the plant if it is left unattended. At the first signs of powdery mildew remove the affected area by snipping it off. It can also be treated by using a sulphur based garden fungicide.

 

When purchasing a Rieger begonia look for a plant that has lots of unopened, healthy buds, as this will give you the longest bloom time. For the plant to continue to produce new flowers the old flowers should be pinched out carefully when they have died. Try not to damage the stem as this is where the new flowers form. Fertilize it every 2-3 weeks with a flowering plant fertilizer such as 12-36-12, for healthy growth and blooms.

 

After a few months you will notice that the Rieger begonia has finished blooming. It can be tossed into the compost or you can try to get it to re bloom again. To get it to re bloom, cut the plant back to 10-15 cm from the soil level. Place the plant in a cool, medium light room. Keep it slightly drier. It can be placed outdoors after all risk of frost has passed during the summertime, and brought back indoors in the fall before a frost. When outdoors, place it in a shaded area. When the plant starts to show new growth it can be repotted into a pot one size larger then the one it was in. Give it lots of bright, indirect light and water and fertilizer. The cooler temperatures and shorter daylight hours of fall will trigger the plant to produce flowers.