My begonias stay in year round. I've had to spray for mildew twice now. I put newsprint on the deck and spray them outside. No comparison to how many you carry in. I am close to 30 begonias now. That maxes out my space - well til spring. Have a good winter with all of your plants.

Thanks Renter. I found some types are more prone to mildew than others so I try to keep my eyes open for these (mostly Mallets).

I doubt I could keep mine indoors year round because 1) I don't have space to walk 2) the lights and AC in summer would be very big bills and 3) I wouldn't be able to go on vacation because indoor watering is a constant thing.

That's how it all starts - you buy a few and like the results and buy a few more and a few more, etc. No matter how big a space you get you will usually outgrow it with stuff. It's like George Carlin said about getting a bigger place to store your stuff. He was/is so right!

I moved all the rest of my "stuff" in yesterday except 3 large pots (2 of elephant ears and 1 of a golden Duranta and several canes). I moved those under the deck to buy a little more time. The EE's are fine to get a frost since I want them to go dormant anyway. The canes can go too since I have plenty of duplicates. The Duranta is another matter since it is about 7 feet tall and grew so well since getting it as a 4 inch pot two years ago. Took cuttings of it and hope some make it; then I can get rid of the giant. Also took cuttings of my blue sky vine but want to dig the mother plant up since it rooted into the ground through the pot. If the cuttings make it then I won't need the mother plant.

Will dig the six banana clumps after a couple of freezes.

birds eye view of the Duranta

Blue Sky Vine

Biggest banana tree

WOW, amazing collection! I finished bringing mine in yesterday. It's supposed to storm like crazy today, damaging winds & heavy rain, then possible frost this weekend.

Here's some pics I took over the past week or so. MAJOR new stems on this cutting (stuck in ground a few months ago) of Sophie Cecile.

Some pots of excavated cuttings started in ground over summer, and some pieces just added to get going over winter.

This giant beauty in this pot...

...is making this fine, fat new stem!

HC Mcdole, what part of the country do you live in? It's obviously a place where rexes thrive! Love your collection! :-)

Tiffany,

Can you let some of your begonias outdoors all year? I know some would probably survive but it is a leap of faith at times. Love those fat canes coming up. I cut a lot of my old canes down this year in favor of the new ones coming up. Just got done spraying out several terrariums built up with algae and other crud (from another planet) and repotting many small begonias I've had in triage for a few weeks. Getting too old for this &^%$.

gardenfanatic,

I'm 20 miles west of Atlanta where it is hot and humid in summer, mild and humid in spring and fall, and temps swing wildly in winter. Whereabouts are you in MO?

Here are a few from earlier today.

Should I cut the old leaves off and start some more? Proud Mary. Can't add a line between pictures - GRRRR. So the next one is aconitifolia (very cut leaves - just started it this summer) and Down Home (silver streaked leaves)

popenoei has some very large leaves. the next one is Salsa

Kula - kind of kool-a

This Freddie was started a year ago and getting a little big for a 4 inch pot.
Love this following rex - very colorful but it is starting to get some mildew spots.

Think this is Old Blue (from Steve's Leaves)
Little Brother Montgomery and Red Umbo. Janet Brown in the back.

Last one as we can only post 10 at a time. I think it is Raspberry Swirl. Very small with only two leaves at this time.