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My neighbor gave me this beauty, but I don't have any idea what it is or how to care for it. It looks a bit like some kind of begonia, but that's just a guess. Please help.
I have both Begonia boliviensis and Begonia boliviensis var Bonfire. It seems to me that Bonfire has larger blooms. It also could be they are all one in the same. Ishould put them all next to each other to compare. I got the 2 labeled Begonia boliviensis from an arboretum and also from a nursery.
They are very easy to root but must form a tuber before winter to come back. Maybe it stays evergreen if inside. Here in my warm zone, it dies back in the winter and then springs forth in spring. Now the tubers are partly above ground. I thought I had tossed my big pot of Bonfire by mistake after it had died down thinking whatever plant had been in it had died. I finally found it in good growth in June behind some pots. It had not been watered for months but was doing great on its own!
I love this plant!
I keep mine outside in partial shade though if you are where it is hot you might want more shade. I water it every week or so. It blooms and blooms! I would say it is one of my easiest plants and also one of my most showy!
In thinking about it, those flowers on yours are much smaller and even more red than mine. I wonder if it is Begonia boliviensis Bertini. I saw this one at the Arboretum here and though I recall it being a lot like Bonfire, I see this catalogue has its pic being redder and smaller.
