Comments on: Grow Rieger Begonia

By: cathy

cathy — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 13:17:30 +0000

i have an angel wing begonia that i sit on my deck through the warm months, we had an early frost and i forgot to bring it inside, will it come back if i bring it inside?

Hi Cathy
It depends on how much cold damage the plant incurred. Cut back the frozen parts and see if you get any new growth from the roots. If you don’t see anything within a months then I would give up.

By: Judy Templeton

Judy Templeton — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 02:29:54 +0000

I live in Bellevue Nebraska. I have a Rieger begonia in a hanging pot which I got this spring which I have outside in a mostly shaded area. I had a light pink one last year and it bloomed so well when I saw a orange-red one I had to have it. It is outside all summer and is beautiful. It is so very little work and it has become my husband’s favorite. It is probably because of all the color it provides. I had no idea I could keep it over inside. Well, I will give it a try anyway. Your site is wonderful. Thank you for the inspiration.

Hi Judy
Tuberous begonia are one of my favorites. If it dies back from frost just save the tuber and replant next early spring.

By: Eni

Eni — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 00:41:18 +0000

Begonia hardiness
How do I protect my recently planted wax and riger begonias from winter weather in Florida without digging them all out?

Hi Eni
You don’t need to dig them up in Fla. Wax begonia is hardy in zone 9-10. They should survive the winter. Rieger begonia is hardy in zone 10. Depending on what part of Fla you live in, you may have to cover your plant in case of a frost.

By: Potting/Planting Rieger Begonia

Potting/Planting Rieger Begonia — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 01:30:24 +0000

Bought 2 beautiful blooming Rieger Begonias today; they were under a cool greenhouse, so I assume planting them indoors is best. We live in the hot & humid southland called Alabama and I’m not so sure these babies could handle the heat. I’ve read both east & west windows, so I’m confused. May I just have an approximate time of indirect sunlight needed to keep these beauties alive? Thanks for the help & the website is quite informative & useful!

Hi Abby,
There are so many different kinds of begonias and hybrid crosses that have slightly different lighting conditions and that’s where the confusion lies. The ideal light for a winter rieger begonia is a bright, filtered east window. It is possible to grow Rieger begonia in a west window with filtered light-meaning a sheer curtain in front of it.
Here’s a rule of thumb: if the leaves turn a copper color that will indicate that your begonia is getting too much light which can eventually cause leaf burn.
If you have a tuberous begonia-which likes warm weather and humidity, you can place it outdoors in a light shaded area.

By: Carrie

Carrie — Sat, 16 May 2009 14:25:07 +0000

Hello I received a rieger begonia for Mother’s Day. They are yellow and one red one that has died. I live in the Boston Ma. area. I was wondering if I should plant it in a container or if I could plant it outside? Will it come back every year? I am not a gardner but trying to get into it. So I am really lost when it comes to plants and flowers!! Maybe you could give me some tips on which plants and flowers are best to plant in my area that will come back each year? Thank you so so so much!

Hi Carrie
See the above article on reblooming begonia It is not hardy in your area and will have to be dug up for the winter. When shopping for plant for your yard look for perennials that are hardy in your area zone 6a-6b.

By: barb

barb — Mon, 11 May 2009 12:33:59 +0000

I live in Minnesota. Just received a rieger begonia. Is this an inside or outside plant for our location?

Rieger begonia can spend the summer outdoors in semi-shade but will have to be brought indoors for the winter. It's not hardy in Minnesota.

By: Robin Juhnke

Robin Juhnke — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 17:53:39 +0000

I just got a rieger begonia from my mothers funeral and I want to take care of it for obvious reasons. I live in Austin TX and was wondering if I could plant this outdoors on my semi protected patio with a drip system that waters every 5 days or should I try to keep it indoors? My house is window and light limited along with cats that like greens. I also got a peace lily and a philodendron. I have been researching and it seems they both should stay indoors in our hot summers. Mom always answered these questions or me so I would appreciate any help.

Hi Robin
Sorry to hear about your Mom’s passing. You can plant your Rieger begonia in either a container or in a shady area of your flower garden. If the weather gets hot and dry in the summer, you may have to water more often.
As far as the peace lily and philodendron-both are tropical plants and if they can spend the summer on a shaded porch, they would certainly enjoy the humidity and warmth. On the other hand, it may be easier to maintain them indoors.

By: AUDREY QUARTERMAIN

AUDREY QUARTERMAIN — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 18:16:24 +0000

A GROCERY STORE GOT THE REAL RIEGER BEGONIAS IN,BUT WERE FROST BITTEN IN TRANSPORT,THE SAM STORE ON THE OTHE SIDE OF THE CITY [THE SAME DAY] GOT THEIRS IN,BUT WITH A BIG SIGN HANGING IN THIER STORE,RIEGER BEGONIAS ARRIVED BUT THEY ALL HAD BUGS ON THEM,,MY QUESTION!!!ARE THESE MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO LICE AND BUGS,?THANKS SO MUCH.

Hi Audrey Some insects that attack Rieger begonias are; aphids, fungus gnats, mealy bugs, thrips and whitefly. Rieger begonia can become susceptible to insects when the plants are stressed and weakened, otherwise they can be relatively bug free. I have not experienced too many "bug" problems with them.

By: Terri Hilton

Terri Hilton — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 23:03:00 +0000

I received a rieger begonia from my little grandson for my birthday and wondered if it can be planted outside. We live in North Carolina and it gets very hot in the summer months. If it is kept indoors, can it sit in a west window. That is the only window that gets nice sunshine in the afternoon.

Hi Terri
Rieger begonia can be planted outside. I would plant it in a shaded area to help keep it cooler during the hot summer. If it gets too hot the plant will slow down blooming. You can also grow it indoors in a filtered west window.

By: AUDREY QUARTERMAIN

AUDREY QUARTERMAIN — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 23:50:09 +0000

are rieger begonias hard to grow??the gardens around here dont have them,but I DID FIND ONE IN SAFEWAY,AND IT BLOOMED ALL THE TIME INDOORS..EDMONTON.ALBERTA