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Spacing: 15-18 in. (38-45 cm) 18-24 in. (45-60 cm)
Hardiness: USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F) USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F) USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F) USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F) USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F) USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F) USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F) USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)
Sun Exposure: Full Sun Sun to Partial Shade Light Shade
Bloom Time: Late Winter/Early Spring Mid Spring Late Spring/Early Summer Mid Summer Late Summer/Early Fall Mid Fall Blooms repeatedly
Foliage: Grown for foliage Evergreen Burgundy Bronze-Green Shiny/Glossy-Textured Succulent Rubbery-Textured
Other details: This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds Flowers are fragrant This plant is suitable for growing indoors Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater Provides winter interest Suitable for growing in containers
Soil pH requirements: 6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic) 6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
Propagation Methods: By dividing the rootball By dividing rhizomes, tubers, corms or bulbs (including offsets) From herbaceous stem cuttings
On May 28, 2008, ilovebegonias from Centreville, AL wrote:
I love begonias, but especially the beefsteak (as we call it in Alabama). It has been years since I had one and they are so very rare that I had trouble locating another. I have a cutting but don't know how to root and plant it successfully. HELP!!
Thanks, Alabama
On Apr 22, 2008, LaunaLou from Federal Way, WA wrote:
I have a Beefsteak Begonia plant that is about 2 feet around and about 16-18 inches tall. I got my cutting from my grandma, about 4 years ago. It now has 10 bloom stalks on it! The biggest leaf is about 8 inches around. The plant can go for a while without water. When the soil is pulling dry from the rim of the pot; that is when I water it. and not too much water, either. I have fed it on occasion; but not every time I water it. It is my favorite plant. I have about 60 plants. The majority are; begonias, hoyas and Rhipsalis cactuses.
On May 28, 2007, bertthetroll from Spencerport, NY wrote:
I just love this plant, letting the soil dry slightly before watering again has worked for me, otherwise if you forget to water the plant it will wilt, when you water it it perks up, its a great plant to have. They are considered rare, I haven't had much success in finding them in my area, Glasshouse Works has nice ones, I just recently purchased one that is like the beefsteak, same family, but spirals instead. very nice..
On Feb 20, 2004, Happenstance from (Zone 10a) wrote:
This is a Begonia that has been around for a long time and was very popular several decades ago when I first acquired mine.
Beef Steak is a Rhizomatous Begonia. If acclimatized first, they can take full sun with no problem, but should be given some shade when cuttings or new rhizomes are planted. Flowers profusely in the Spring and on and off until late fall here in 10a.
In southeast Alabama (U.S.) we refer to this as a "Beefsteak Begonia" or "Beefleaf Begonia" because if it gets the right amount of sunlight - enough to change its color but not scorch its leaves - it will turn bright maroon on top of the leaf as well as on the bottom. The center where the stalk meets the leaf stays a light to white green. It looks a great deal like a sliced ribeye with a center bone; hence the name. They were once very popular and easily located in this area, however I have not seen one since mine died nearly 7 years ago. This information is about the begonia with the latin name "hydrocotylifolia"
Editor's note: Begonia hydrocotylifolia is one of the parents of Begonia 'Erythrophylla'
Regional...
This plant has been said to grow in the following regions:
Centreville, Alabama Clayton, California Dublin, California Spencerport, New York Granville, Ohio Millersburg, Pennsylvania Conway, South Carolina Humble, Texas Federal Way, Washington
4 members have or want this plant for trade.
