Put it in a terrarium type environment and see if it perks back up. The stress of shipping and a new home can affect a plant severely. Hopefully it is not a goner. PS - if the soil is moist to the touch, DO NOT WATER until it dries some.

Wow that is a great idea. I don’t have any terrariums but when I repot my African violets I put them in freezer bags to raise the humidity while they adjust. I will put it in a freezer bag when I get home.

It was pretty dry when I got it so I gave it water a couple of days after it got here (Sunday I think). It didn’t seem to help much. I won’t give it any more water.

The problem with terrariums and begonias are most begonias will quickly outgrow the terrarium (depending on the begonia type - there are some miniatures). Best to get them acclimated to their new growing space so temporary humidity will help. Eventually you want them to adapt to a home's drier atmosphere and lower light levels but it may take some time for that transition

Thanks for the comments. I don’t grow any of my plants in terrarium mainly because I have very few that would even fit in one. I have a dome covered tray I use for baby violets but this plant is too tall to fit in it.

The other begonia I got ( cracklin Rosie) was in great condition and is doing just fine. The other one I am guessing was either already in bad shape when they put in the box or like the customer service rep said they thought it was maybe too wet when it was sent. The other thing was they day they arrived it rained and the temp dropped to the 40s. The box did set on the porch for maybe up to an hour outside so I was thinking that probably didn’t help. I had 4 plants in the box all were in great shape except this one. Who knows what happened to it.

I plan to leave it in the bag for a couple of weeks. There are parts of it that are definitely dead but a small section in the middle is still up right and looks ok.

Large baggies will suffice as temporary tent cities.

Ten gallon aquariums at Walmart used to be $10. Party City sells large plastic salad bowls - get two - one for the bottom and one for the top. Where there is a will, there is a way. Large pretzel containers (at Halloween) can make a fairly nice terrarium for taller plants. Glass is heavy and expensive and cheaper glass can leach making the presentation a bit "foggy".

As for shipping live plants, that is the gamble we all take. Some are winners and some are losers - we just have to research and take our chances.

I have two root cuttings coming in from Hawaii that I hope to get this coming week. Funny thing is I was in Maui last week but couldn't find any bagged and certified roots (ginger plants) for sale so I ordered them off eBay the last day we were there. Good thing I didn't snitch anything while there as the airport was checking for live plants on our departure - check in bags and carry on so beware of those requirements. The last time I was in Hawaii I bought plants at the Botanical Garden and didn't have any issues. I also bought a rooted, potted plant at Walmart (of all places) and carried it on the plane (Chirita 'Moon Walker').

I've sent live plants (cuttings) and seeds to faraway places in the past - Singapore, Turkey, Sweden, Canada, Australia and most have come in fairly good shape according to the recipients. I find it best to ship the cuttings a bit on the dry side as the excess moisture in a baggie often leads to rot.

Yes I agree it is a gamble but for the most part I have also had good luck with buying plants online. The ones I have ( orchids, African violets, streptocarpus, etc.) have all been fine other than a damaged leaf or flower here or there which is expected.

I have seen some plants on eBay from Hawaii I have been tempted to buy but the shipping is so expensive. I have also seen some nice plants sold from outside the US but really have not wanted to take the chance with ordering them. I can usually find something else I want shipped from within the US.

Thanks for the tips on the terrarium. I will keep that in mind if I decide to try one. Since the nursery is sending me a replacement for this one it would be the end of the world if this one does die. I hate to give up though if there is a chance it will pull thru.

Yes, we must gamble at times because the local stores don't carry everything we want. I always start with a small order with an unknown mail order supply and if they are good, then I will probably shop there again. If it is bad, I may or may not shop there again - sometimes it takes two times to make a believer of me that the service was bad,

I got one of my roots today and in great shape. This order did have shipping but it was within reason (maybe $5?) while the other vendor is free shipping. Go figure. What bothers me is some of the mainland mail order nurseries that charge $$$ for a small box of plants. Why?

Good luck on your begonia and its replacement.

Here is one of the plants I ordered (Alpinia purpurata). You can see how it could be weedy in HI or anyplace tropical. Note the babies growing on the flower stalk itself! I ordered a yellow one (Hedychium gardnerianum – Kahili Ginger) two years ago after the plug I bought at Hawaiian Botanical Garden in Hilo died.