Begonia rex (Fan plant)

Botanical name

Begonia rex

Other names

Fan plant, King begonia, Painted-leaf begonia

Genus

Begonia Begonia

Species

B. rex - B. rex is a tender, rhizomatous, evergreen perennial with hairy leaf stalks bearing large, ovate, metallic, silvery-zoned, dark green leaves, red beneath. Panicles of small, pink flowers bloom in winter.

Foliage

Evergreen

Habit

Compact, Bushy, Upright

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Colour

Flower

Pink in Winter

Foliage

Silvery-grey, Red, Dark-green in All seasons

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How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Caterpillars , Aphids , Mealybugs , Tarsonemid mites , Thrips

General care

Pruning

Pinch out shoots when young to promote a bushy habit.

Propagation

Propagate from leaf cuttings in spring or summer. Separate rhizome sections in summer.

Propagation methods

Seed, Rhizome sections

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Begonia rex (Fan plant) will reach a height of 0.3m and a spread of 0.3m after 2-5 years.

Suggested uses

Sub-Tropical, Indoor, Greenhouse, Containers, City

Cultivation

Grow under glass in light, well-drained, neutral to slightly acid, loam-based compost in bright light with shade from direct sun. In growth, water moderately & feed at alternate waterings. Pot on in spring. Avoid waterlogged conditions.

Soil type

Chalky, Loamy, Sandy

Soil drainage

Moist but well-drained, Well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Neutral

Light

Partial Shade

Aspect

South, East, West

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Tender in frost (H3), Indoor heated (H1)

USDA zones

Zone 12, Zone 11, Zone 10

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Begonia rex (Fan plant)

Common pest name

GRSV

Scientific pest name

Groundnut ringspot virus

Type

Virus or Viroid

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Virus affecting begonia; salad and other crops. First European outbreak detected in Finland in 2015.

Defra's Risk register #2

Plant name

Begonia rex (Fan plant)

Common pest name

Asain cotton leafworm; Cluster caterpillar; Fall armyworm; Rice cutworm; Taro caterpiller; Tobacco budworm; Tobacco caterpillar; Tobacco cutworm; Tobacco leaf caterpillar

Scientific pest name

Spodoptera litura

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Regulated pest; frequently intercepted with occasional outbreaks which have been successfully eradicated in the UK.

Defra's Risk register #3

Plant name

Begonia rex (Fan plant)

Common pest name

Necrotic spot

Scientific pest name

Impatiens necrotic spot virus

Type

Virus or Viroid

Current status in UK

Present (Widespread)

Likelihood to spread in UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Pest of mainly ornamentals and vegetables; present in the UK; and covered by the EU listing of Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus. To be kept under consideration in light of a review of the EU listing.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/