Fireworks.Begonia

Ah, now, THIS I like! How easy is it to keep and propagate something like this, Mark? I lost a load of huge begonia corms to vine weevils a few years ago and I now very wary of buying begonias :-(

This is a Begonia Rex, If i understand correctly there is no corm / tuber with these. This plant i kept through last winter in the greenhouse with the double tuberous Begonia tubers - at about 40F, it didn't look quite as good after the winter. Once the heating was turned up again it soon perked up though. The problem i have had has been little spots all over the leaves on a few of the rex's this year. Didn't get it last year. Not sure if it's some sort of mildew, or thrips. The thrips have been worse with the double tuberous Begonias this year for some reason. I had cut off the effected leaves, seems to be recovering again now.
I always treat all my begonias and ferns with Provado vine weevil treatment, i shall probably give the Fuchsias some as well just to be sure.(my plants being in pots and coming into the greenhouse for the winter).

Sorry to hear you've been having problems, Mark. Maybe I should try Provado. I seem to have a lot of vine weevils - horrible things. they damage lots of things, but it seems they only actually kill the begonias and also the strawberry plants. My greenhouse is not heated and I don't really have any good windowsills in the house, so for now I think I won't be able to grow these beautiful foliage plants. One day I'll have a conservatory - and then a whole new world will be opend up to me :-D