Help for a Begonia Beginner!

10 years ago

I got this Begonia Rex around a year ago from a local garden centre. It seemed yo be getting a long fine with minimal fuss until I moved recently. It was also repotted not long before this. Over the last couple of month it has lost many leaves. They go brown and then the stem just snaps off at the bottom as if it's kind of mushy. I found that the soil was quite damp and have dried it out a littlw but I'm not sure how to get it back on it's feet. I've been looking at forums but it's not improving. I am wondering if it needs different soil, it's currently in a standard potting mix. It is near a window which does not get the full sun. I've attached a picture of it for reference.

Featured Answer

hc mcdole

10 years ago

last modified: 10 years ago

The pot is much too large for that plant. I would reduce it to a 3 inch pot or a 4 inch at the most and let it recover. You want the soil to dry some before watering again and with that size pot, I bet it takes a week or longer to dry out some.

For example - all these plants are in 3 inch pots but the foliage is hiding the pots below.

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Comments (9)

Stephanie Palmer
Original Author
10 years ago
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Stephanie Palmer
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks for that! I will get it repotted ASAP. What kind of potting medium is best?
hc mcdole
10 years ago
Any good quality mix. The faster draining the better - nothing with the water absorbing crystals. Nothing that is primarily peat moss either.
Tracy Cummins
10 years ago
Stephani Palmer- does your moisture comment mean that the Miracle Grow Moisture Control soil would not be a good one? I have this one and it has been just dropping it's leaves all of a sudden. I thought perhaps it was getting too much water and I moved it to it's current spot to see if I could get it diagnosed and keep an eye on it. I'm not sure what exactly I should think. It has new growth and so I am looking for some advice. Also a NAME for this one.
Stephanie Palmer
Original Author
10 years ago
Sorry Tracy I'm a total beginner with Begonias so I can't answer your question. Hopefully someone else can!
hc mcdole
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
Tracy,

I mentioned the moisture control soil - DO NOT USE IT FOR BEGONIAS! It will keep the soil too wet for begonias to thrive IMO.

Your plant looks similar to Sophie Cecile or Lana (I think Lana is a better fit).

Your plant has one rotted stem - see the white ring around the most right stem? That is either mold or mildew and the stem below the white ring looks black and dead. Cut the stem above the white ring and either water root or stick in a small pot with fresh soil. Water to begin with and don't water again until it has dried some to the touch.

I would also remove the rocks around the stems - it is holding too much moisture around the stems which causes mold/fungus. Give this type of begonia more sun or bright light. You will be rewarded immensely when the conditions are right.

Here are a few of the canes I am growing this year.
Stephanie Palmer
Original Author
10 years ago
Wow they're spectacular!
Tracy Cummins
10 years ago
They ARE spectacular!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH!! My Angelwing bloomed for the first time this year until I repotted it and now I am having a similar issue with it. I will be following your suggestions IMMEDIATELY as these are my favorite plant. I have many and all but four are doing wonderfully and I believe it is the new soil for most of them. I cannot say how much I appreciate the input. I mistook Stephanie for you.. Sorry both of you!

Good luck Stephanie!