I'm not sure what this is specifically, it was just labeled Rex. But when I got it a few months ago, all of the leaves were silvery with a little bit of pinky-red and green edging. I split it into two pots, and up until recently, the new growth I was getting was exactly the same colors as the older leaves in both.
But in the last few weeks, they've suddenly had an explosion of new growth, and it's blood red and black. They don't even look like the same plants! I'm not mad at it because it's absolutely stunning, but I really can't figure out why. The original leaves are still basically the same colors.
I've heard that temperature affects colors sometimes? But the room it's in is a pretty consistent temperature, it gets the same grow light every day, consistent humidity. I'm just curious about what's going on. It seems to be super healthy so I'm not worried.
Is this just what they do?
by smg777
8 Comments
From what I understand begonia colors (especially the silvers and blacks) highly depend on light. So they could have just adjusted to the light in their new spots
I wish my Rex would do that. Very pretty.
It’s Light, Temp, & Humidity combined. Your conditions must be different than the place it grew those silvery leaves at. Which means that if you ever split it, and move some of the propagations to another room in the house, you’ll probably start to see something in between those two “settings” for your Rex. Try growing a propagation in your bathroom or something, maybe?
Honestly, sometimes they just change and there is nothing you can do. I have the exact opposite problem; my “Red Bull” keeps turning more silver. It’s spent time in my humidity tent and it’s had a few months in each of my windows, north all the way up to south facing, consistent temperature the whole time. I can’t get it back to red.
Ok, a combo of all the things makes a ton of sense. Thanks!
Now that my brain is working, I do have this other that recently changed color on me but in a slightly different way. My son brought it over for me to take care of for a while, and the leaves had a very silvery shine to them. After a couple of weeks of having it, it’s turned very green. He commented on the color recently, and I didn’t connect the dots until now.
https://preview.redd.it/vkowgmudgqvf1.png?width=1080&format=png&auto=webp&s=c6b6c63f8642076818b51a98698cbecbecbca067
You said grow light, can you elaborate? Your watering and humidity conditions and how long you have the light on? Is it a white grow light or red white and blue? I’m experimenting with a begonia I had outside in indirect light that seemed to lose its color like it was bleaching…
Also, your plant is stunning 🤩! obviously, I am inspired by your great parenting skills😊
Mine did this under a regular grow light. I have a blue tinted light that my begonias love.