Expert: C.L. Fornari - 5/5/2010

Question
QUESTION: I have recently been bought a Betulia plant.  Could you please tell me if this plant is better in a pot or planted in the garden.  Is it better in the shade or in the sun, does it like the frost?
I would really like to know how to look after my plant, the flowers a beautiful red and similar to a begonia.

thank you

ANSWER: Liz,
This is a beautiful type of Begonia, and like other Begonias it does best in part shade. If it's in a location where it might get 2 to 3 hours of morning sun, it will be happy.  

Don't leave this plant out if frost is expected - frost will kill the plant. Therefore, if you want to try and keep it from year to year, plant it in a pot so that you can move it indoors when the temperatures drop below 10 c (50 f).

Also, like other begonias, this plant can get crown rot if kept too wet. Water it deeply so that the water runs out of the bottom hole in the pot (only plant it in a pot with a drainage hole) and then wait until the soil feels dry on the surface before watering again.

I hope this helps!
C.L.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Many thanks for your answer to my previous question.  I omitted to ask should I replant my begonia to a larger pot as the one it is in seems to be rather small?

many thanks

Answer
Liz,
Yes, put it in a pot that is at least 8" in diameter - a clay pot would be best as it is heavier so as the plant grows it's less likely to blow over.  Use a good potting soil, not garden soil, to pot it up. Adding a time-release fertilizer such as Osmocote plus or Proven Winners Time release is a good idea too.

all the best,
C.l.