Why is my Begonia Maculata dropping leaves?
Hi all—I’ve had this gorgeous begonia Maculata for months now, and she had been thriving with new growth and vibrant, healthy leaves. She lives under a grow light (diffused using masking tape) & 75% humidity. In the last few weeks she’s been dropping leaves (she’s lost about 5) and some older leaves are browning. I don’t see any other symptoms—stems are healthy, soil isn’t sopping wet. Anyone able to help diagnose?
5ft to light, indirect
4” pot with drainage
Last watered 1 week ago
8
Best Answer
@Theoreyofplants why are you defusing a grow light? They need all the light a grow light can give them! You only need to filter sunlight. Take the tape off and let that beauty shine!🪴
@Theoreyofplants BEAUTIFUL
I gave up on these
I have tried multiple times
Congratulations on yours ❤️
I gave up on these
I have tried multiple times
Congratulations on yours ❤️
@Ponytailmom That may be the reason. I was diffusing it because I have alocasias nearby that seemed to be burning a bit under the lights, and I’ve run out of space in my greenhouse. But I did just acquire a tall Milsbo, so an understory tropical greenhouse terrarium is in the works for those!
@Theoreyofplants I have some polka dot begonias in my greenhouse! As long as you have at least a 70% shade cloth over the area they are in they should do fine there. At least mine do, I don’t know where you are or your weather so if you move them keep a close eye on them u til you know for sure! 🪴😊
Update: The problem with this begonia, my angel wing, AND nearby plants was THRIPS!!! It’s my first time seeing them and dealing with them, but I’ve got everything isolated and treated. My larger begonia (Castiel) was really struggling. Tbh I’ve been doing bug checks on them because conditions have been perfect, and even though I use a magnifying glass, I just BARELY saw a few today. Wow, they’re tiny and slow-moving. Anyway—if everything else checks out fine, it’s probably pests!