Hi piksi,

I'm no expert, but I have managed to keep an angelwing alive for a long long time, even when I tried to kill it.

Probably the crispy tips are an indication of too much sun. Could also be fertilizer, but I think too much sun. I keep mine in West or East window, or under the porch roof.

Just take a deep breath and grab a sharp pair of scissors or better yet, a hobby knife. Whack it off. For rootable sections, go for about 4 inches or so. I go maybe 2 sets of leaves, then strip off the bottom ones, because that stem will be in the soil far enough so the leaves will also be partially submerged. Stick 'em in moist potting mix and water a little bit. The goal is evenly moist, not wet. Keep it that way for a bit to let the roots grow, and you're good to go.

You can also stick them back in the same pot you cut them out of to make it look bushier.

Don't know what the experts will say, but this works for me.

-Mo (WV)

The angel wings could be naturally leggy--cane angelwing Begonias are like that. I put my angelwings outside on my shady patio all summer, and bring them in when frosts threaten in fall. I keep them in front of our sliding glass door looking out on to the patio all winter. They don't look so great by spring, but they always recover. I replace the soil in the pot every couple of years.

Trimming them back will encourage side branching and produce a more attractive plant. Cuttings can be longer than 4". Canes are very easy to root. Be sure to bury 2 or 3 nodes to make sure that your new plant can produce basal shoots. Use half-strength fertilizer or time-release. You can also dilute more and use with every watering. They like bright shade, and canes don't mind morning sun, as long as it's not too hot.