Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?

A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Share

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
Not Yet Rated

Wednesday - October 13, 2010

From: Round Rock, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Non-Natives
Title: Non-native begonias not blooming in Round Rock, TX
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

My angel wing begonias won't bloom. I feed them with fish emulsion. What is the problem?

ANSWER:

The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is dedicated to the growth, propagation and protection of plants native not only to North America but to the area in which those plants are being grown. Begonia coccinea is native to Brazil, and therefore is out of our area of expertise.

Contact the  American Begonia Society or check out some of the forums on begonias.

 

More Non-Natives Questions

Growing non-native Knockout roses and golden euonymus together from Crystal City MO
May 19, 2013 - Can you plant knock out roses and golden euonymus together?
view the full question and answer

Care of non-native Oleander
June 11, 2008 - I want my oleanders to bloom but they keep getting attacked by tiny orange aphids that clump up on the newest growth. I read that oleanders only bloom on old growth but those orange mites/aphids are ...
view the full question and answer

Leaves shriveling on non-native Japanese maple in Redmond WA
July 18, 2009 - My husband and I bought a Japanese Maple 3 years ago which we planted in an old wine barrel for our patio, along with some ivy and grass to keep the surface covered. Until recently, it has been doing ...
view the full question and answer

Preservation of a non-native Norfolk pine after hurricane damage
October 11, 2008 - I had a 25ft. Norfolk pine blow down during hurricane. I have the top 6ft.in water living after 3 weeks. Can I plant this hoping it will survive? Do I need to cut into the trunk or just trim back the ...
view the full question and answer

Problems with non-native Weeping Japanese Red Maple
October 04, 2008 - have a Weeping Japanese Red Maple. We bought if from a good nursery in the spring and planted it but now it is not red anymore. It is just greenish. Can you advise me what it is needing or any thing ...
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.