Hi, yes.. I agree that soil mix could be better. this mix is garden soil, compost and some coco peat.

I did check the roots today and they've started to rot :(

I repotted the plant in a mix of some garden soil, vermicompost, peat and a lot of perlite. I'm hoping that the plant will revive. :I

As Ken mentioned, the soil looks pretty poor (I copied the picture and lightened it up some to look at the soil in Photoshop). The one stem is probably a goner as it looks limp and fallen over (rotted roots or not watered enough to keep the stems happy). You might be able to save the fallen stem if there is any life left in it but it needs cutting ASAP and put in a glass of water to hopefully get it perked up again and create some new roots. The rest of the plant needs pulled out and put in a much smaller pot with quality soil. Later on when it is growing again, you may move it up to a slightly bigger pot and try propagating it to increase your stock.

Use a quality potting mix to make it easy for yourself and the plant. I only use MiracleGro these last dozen years or more.

Here are a few of my canes late July.

Lots of rhizomatous as well.

Thank you for your advice both of you. Yes, I repotted my begonia into a smaller pot with a well draining mix. The side stem was gone, but was able to get a few good leaves and will try to use them. The rest of the plant I am hoping will manage to survive. Will post an update and let you know :)

What would be a good potting mix for begonias? I generally make my own.

swamoch,

I think a smaller pot with better soil will make a big difference. It was a shame you lost the one stem. The leaves may root but will never make a plant. While rhizomatous begonia leaves can make a new plant, canes cannot - just the way nature plays with our minds. It's been tried a thousand times by almost everybody and the ABS even funded a university study to see if they could find the miracle for rooting canes using only leaves but after trying many methods, they gave up too. Maybe micro-culture can do it?

I use only Miracle-Gro for the last 12 years or so for everything. I gave up mixing my own after 20 years or so, but you can make your own mix and see if you can come off with a better mix than mixes already made at your disposal.

I used to buy the big bags but with age, I have started buying the half size bags for easier carrying. Costs a little more but worth the lighter weight.

I used to buy many bags (7 to 10 at the beginning of the growing season but might have one or two left at the end of the season which seemed to be wasteful so now I only buy two at a time and pick up more as I need it)

Same thing for garden soil - useful for starting seeds.