Rexes may go dormant in winter (most do) and may present a challenge to someone new. If you keep it too wet, it could very well rot. If you keep it too dry, it could wither and die. Not a lot of fun.

Here is the best advice I can give you - cover with some kind of clear cover - a baggie, a plastic cup or container, a glass bowl or vase, or a glass tank ($10 for a ten gallon at your local WM store). Don't quit watering but do let it dry out a bit before you water again.

As long as you have plump rhizomes, you will be okay.

Here are some examples of mine:

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I am just trying to start growing with lights. Your plants look so good and you really have some nice ones. I think Rajah is one of them that I recognize. What is the second from the bottom, the one in a taller container that is green with red edging on the leaves.

Hi Karan in Oregon,

The second one from the bottom is 'Purple Snow'. I lost that one because I forgot to water it but I have two more to replace it. Here is one grown outdoors for summer a couple of years ago.

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To grow a big one try it in an aquarium. You might be able to put two medium sized begonias in a ten gallon aquarium. Aquariums have their own set of problems such as too much water, algae, etc. I have several aquariums with ferns and moss which I let them be. My big aquarium has been overtaken with episcia (this thing is a weed if grown in the right environment).

Rajah is a great terrarium begonia. It does very well for me if you keep the humidity high and water when it needs it.

Here is a recent picture of one from Logee's.

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Oh, my goodness. I got a regular photo gallery in reply! I was hesitant to put it in the terrarium, but after seeing all these wonderful pictures, I am going to put it in there today! I guess I just didn't realize how tricky they can be. This is my first one that I have grown. Thanks for the info and the pictures. My B. rajah is one small leaf right now, and my B. "New York Swirl" from Logee's is the one that I am in conniptions about.

Hey Allen,

I've got the same thing (New York Swirl). I lost my first one so the second time I ordered it I put it in a container soon after I got it.

Here it is on the right with Maid Marion on the left.

They have been in these containers nearly a year and I may water them every 3 months or thereabouts.

I hope I can post it this time. I got rejected just a moment ago because GW says I already posted (the vagaries of GW).

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allenz5, I didn't mean to take your question in another direction. I agree wih hcmcdole about the humidity. I think the heat coming from the radiator might be drying the air and morfe humidity might help. I saw a rex begonia at the grocery store a few days ago.. It was in a 10 inch pot and completely covered and extended over the pot. It was really beautiful. I hope your begonia is doing ok.

Butch, I hope your friendly enough with your neighbors that they know you aren't growing the whacky tobacky with all those lights and domes and plants! :)

Ab, they probably think I am wacky by moving hundreds of pots indoors and outdoors each year. I doubt I could grow whacky tobacky anyway with fluorescent lights - maybe HID.

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As you know I'm in a *new* neighborhood and I'm sure my neighbors thought I was doing a little of the funny stuff because they're yard is completely neglected. Then I move in - with my favorite friend - the edger - and then with all the homegrown flowers - and grow lights (and I have NOTHING compared to you)... They think I'm completely off my rocker! I was tearing up some shrubs and they actually pulled out lawn chairs and watched me one day!!! Fun-ny! But, hey, did tell me how much they enjoy looking at the results of all my work - that's something... and truth be told I wouldn't do it if I didn't enjoy it! Oh, and there was that time our wood stove burped and it set off the carbon monoxide detectors and the fire department came to the house and were wondering what I was growing under all those lights...!! "Begonias..." was not what they were expecting...