I water him when the first 1-2” inches feels dry and as you can see, I keep him on a humidity tray. He faces an east-facing window and I run the humidifier quite often, keeping the humidity 60-70% in the room. I also mist throughout the day. I’ve heard Begonia’s love humidity so I try to provide as much as it is suggested. But maybe I’m doing too much? Could it be a fungal bacteria from the leaves being too damp? Maybe it’s root rot (there is a stem that may be water logged but I’m not sure what a water logged stem is supposed to look like)? Ahh, I just want to help him. :(

The spots could be from mildew but if they appear dry, then the mildew has stopped growing (for now). From what I can see, the soil looks way too wet for B. maculata indoors. I would keep it moist for best results, not wet. Outdoors in the heat is another matter where you can water it heavier as it should dry out in 2 to 3 days. This particular cane is not the easiest to grow indoors.

Don't buy into all the humidity crap either. Indoor humidity for canes is no more than what you are comfortable with yourself. The ones that need high humidity need to go into a terrarium which is another subject in itself.

Here is how I treat mine in winter - barely water every 3 days or so, sit next to a stand with lights, treat with indifference and then move them outside for summer.

Okay this is one I grew from seed collected on my own maculata. This was Jan 29, 2019 and was under lights. Typically they sit outside the lights, not under.

same day, different cane still under lights and in bloom (sharing a pot with Zephyr/rain lilies)

This is how most of them limp through winter - sitting in shared aluminum trays next to stands with lights on them 12 hours a day.

In summer they really look a lot better. I didn't take good care of them last summer but here are a few

August 3

really had them too shaded last summer but they did okay

July 6

Again I'm seeing nothing particularly untoward. A few tiny physical blemishes and normal browning of bracts.

what variety of maculata is this?

are you growing this as a houseplant.. or just waiting to take it outside???

did it go dormant for winter ...

how long has it been in that potting media???

i agree im not sure what you are noting.. from the pix... so its pretty minor ... and if they are last years leaves ... it wouldnt surprise me if they are showing wear and tear ..

how do you heat your house.. forced air??? .. or burn wood.. or anything that would cause your house to be real dry ... i just reread and see the humidifier .. wow ...

im not sure misting it every few hours does much for it ... but on the other hand.. im not sure there is any downside ...

do you have any ability to take it outside for summer???

ken

These Begonias don't go dormant for winter. They're evergreen. The brown stuff is not last year's leaves. It's bud bracts.

No need to be misting the plant OR the room. I suspect you may be introducing excess moisture in and around the plant. I bring in begonias every fall, and put them out in a plant room all winter prior to transplanting back in the beds in May. They do fine - actually very well. There is real good light out there, but very little humidity during the winter. I have some in my bedroom too. No problem. I've never misted begonias. Unless you start to see leaf drop, there may be little to be concerned about. As you probably already know, yellowing is sometimes an indication of overwatering. Browning on leaf edges is typically due to sun scald.

I agree with Ken...put it out in the beds somewhere in a few weeks. I'm always amazed at how mine spread during the summer. By the time I have to bring them back in, I have more than I know what to do with. I won't say good luck 'cause my grandmother always told me it's BAD luck to wish someone GOOD luck when giving them a plant 😀

Hi! Thank you everyone for the input! @Ken, I am growing it as an indoor plant. I received it two weeks ago from a nursery and it has grown so much since then! So I’m not sure if they are last year leaves or how long it’s been in the potting media. I haven’t changed the soil out since the nursery. No heating for the house right now since it’s beginning of summer for us in SoCal. I can take it outside but I want to have it grown as a house plant. Should I still take it outside every now and then?

@three4rd47 I think you may be right. I may have overcompensated for the humidity but it’s because of those brown dry tips that developed, that worried me. I don’t really have him in any direct sunlight so I’m not sure if the browning is due to sun scald? Overall though, I’m glad to hear some positive response and that the wear and tear is minor and probably nothing to worry about. I’ll stop misting him so much and see if that helps anything... I still do not want to keep him as an outdoor plant though.

@floral, yes I understand that the leaves behind are bracts, but I was expressing my concerns for the dry, brown leaf tips :) any thoughts?

Growing outdoors is a lot better than indoors for this begonia. Here is one I had outdoors for summer after buying it in the spring at the begonia convention.

The lower cane begonia is Mrs. Hashimoto and was the male pollen plant crossed with maculata to produce the first begonia I showed at the beginning.

I bought it at PHOE that year (which closed up shop 3 years ago or so)

And how to grow it for a show.

Wow! Those are beautiful!!! Hmmm ok maybe I’ll bring it outside for summer then? So can I just leave him outside under shade for indirect sunlight as to avoid sun scarring? And just check the soil every so often for watering? I only have experience with indoor houseplants so idk if there’s much of a change I need to alter when leaving him outside. Thanks for the help, much appreciated!

Take a cutting and propagate. That way you have an extra

@hc thank you for the advice w the soil for indoors, will follow through! However, the tips and dry patches have gotten worse! The tips are continuing to dry out in an upwards direction.... and the color of the leaves in general look much lighter, almost pale-like? Are these indicative of mildew?

I think it is mildew but i might be wrong

I’ve since stopped misting and humidifying it after everyone’s advice. Been sunning him in an east facing window ever since. Will this stop the mildew from spreading?? Hopefully!

My begonia before I knew misting ruins your plant.

How my baby looks after a couple of months with proper care.

Mine looked just like yours and I was sure it would die. IIt'll drop all the leaves that are too heavily damaged and the ones you're stuck with look terrible, but patience and proper care will pay off. Don't panic, she'll be fine!

Omg!! @osulala thank you!! That makes me feel SO much better. Yes I’ve stopped misting and humidifying as much... only humidifying he gets is from his pebble tray now and I have him sun in an east facing window all morning. He is looking MUCH better, THANK YOU EVERYONE!!!

is.this a wightii

is.this a wightii

@Cas Li, I believe mine is a wightii and your’s is Begonia aconitifolia × Begonia coccinea aka Angel Wings Begonia :) correct me if I am wrong though, I am no Begonia expert!

Actually, now that I look at it again, it might be wightii LOL let’s wait for another answer... 😅

wow thanks so much for the help! that was so informative. i had no idea there was so many hyrbids. and sorry to hijack this conversation.

Cas Li, it is not a wightii!