Radical color changes in Rex leaves

17 years ago

I'm a newbie to begonias, and I have a Rex I purchased last fall that has not exactly grown true to itself! I think it is "Maui Mist," but the plant didn't have the cultivar listed when I bought it. Here is a picture of it -- when I bought it, the leaves were all similar to the lower left in this picture -- kind of a red with green edging and black highlights. Now they are all dark red with black trim, as in the middle, and no green at all.

Is this "normal" with Rexes -- to change color as they grow? Perhaps "normal" to this cultivar? Something to do with the soil/fertilizer/light/whatever? I rather liked the early colors better, and would like to have it back to that, if possible.

Any advice?

Indyrose

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Comments (3)

hc mcdole
17 years ago
It is perfectly normal for rexes to display different colors depending on age and light conditions. A young leaf can look totally different than a mature leaf. Colors can become more vibrant with lots of light. Another factor is temperature (or possibly age). For example 'Can Can' is usually a dull silver grey all summer but when evening temps start cooling in fall, the color changes to a light pink, and then a very dark pink (almost red) when the temps are in the 40's. It may be the age of the leaf but I tend to think it is temperature related for this particular rex.
indyrose
Original Author
17 years ago
Sheesh! If the colors change like this, how do you identify individual plants??

Indyrose
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hc mcdole
17 years ago
Most rexes are ID'ed by their mature leaves. If you ever saw the immature leaves of 'Fireworks' in the spring and then the same plant a couple of months later you wouldn't believe it is the same plant. A lot of folks treat rexes as annuals and are only looking for a splash of color and never know the name of the particular rex - just know it as a rex.