What’s wrong with the begonia?
It has new growth but looks kinda sad , colourless with dark ends on its leaves. It also looks torn what might be the problem? @MilkNewt @Idplantthat you two were in my previous post any ideas? 😢 #HappyPlants #PlantsMakePeopleHappy #PlantAddict #NewGrowth #PlantTherapy #WeirdPlants #Begonia
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@BlingBling I think I see thrips larvae in your first two pics (I circled them in the photos). Check your plant closely and look for more of these little tiny rice-shaped things. If it is indeed thrips, you'll need to isolate the plant immediately. For treatment, spinosad spray works best (if they have it where you're located).
Sorry I hit send too soon on my previous comment 🤪 You need to repeat treatment every 3-4 days for at least a month to ensure you get all of the thrips life cycles. The scarring in the second photo is where they scratch the leaf surface and lay their eggs.
As for the torn leaves, that's just physical damage. Nothing you can do about that, it happens when transporting plants.
As for the torn leaves, that's just physical damage. Nothing you can do about that, it happens when transporting plants.
@stephonicle I checked it but saw nothing only some dust. But I isolated it from the rest, any ideas for the black dry ends?
@BlingBling you might need a magnifying glass to see them. The ones I circled are thrips larvae, not the adult thrips (even with a full-blown thrips infestation, you may never see an adult thrip).
The dry, black edges is likely caused by a few different environmental stressors. One is salt and mineral buildup in the soil. Do you use tap water? If so, I'd recommend switching to distilled (begonias are very sensitive to hard water). It's also a good idea to thoroughly flush the soil every few weeks to get rid of any salt buildup. Inconsistent watering is another factor (the soil goes back and forth from too wet to too dry). Low humidity may also play a role, if the humidity in your space is below average (less than 50%).
The dry, black edges is likely caused by a few different environmental stressors. One is salt and mineral buildup in the soil. Do you use tap water? If so, I'd recommend switching to distilled (begonias are very sensitive to hard water). It's also a good idea to thoroughly flush the soil every few weeks to get rid of any salt buildup. Inconsistent watering is another factor (the soil goes back and forth from too wet to too dry). Low humidity may also play a role, if the humidity in your space is below average (less than 50%).
@stephonicle i use filtered tap water. Humidity is okay too not too much but not too little either. These leaves were there before I buy it last week so I removed them and left the new growth and the leaves that were not damaged.
Also one more question because I see many comments for plants like begonias. Aren’t they tropical? Don’t they get hard water from the soil? And I’m guessing that if they like shaded spots they might grow near bigger trees that hold much water in the soil. I’m kinda curious about that one cause it wouldn’t care abt 50% humidity if they were growing in the tropics
@BlingBling this doesn’t look like thrips to me, but I don’t know why I think that 🤔 @SuperbRaspfern ?
I see maybe some slight watering inconsistencies, but the leaves are pretty perky. I think your begonia just might need time to adjust in a stable environment.
I see maybe some slight watering inconsistencies, but the leaves are pretty perky. I think your begonia just might need time to adjust in a stable environment.
@DreamMachine when I lightly scratched one of the potential larvae it felt like it was part of the plant. I bought it one week ago from a local supermarket idk if they watered it wrong or if they would let thrips get into the building. Don’t they spray the leaves with bug repellent? Or it depends on the supermarket and country?
@BlingBling thrips are incredibly tiny, people are more likely to see thrips damage than the thrips themselves, especially if they aren’t trained to look for them, such as supermarket employees. Pests are a fact of life for all nurseries, you just hope they have good plant hygiene practices and hope that they treat for pests too.
In answer to your other questions— “the tropics” as a whole don’t have hard water. Some places do, some places don’t. If it’s an area with like…more limestone in the soil, then yes, their water would be more hard. But other areas in the tropics have very soft water. Rainfall is generally pretty soft.
I’m not sure what you mean about begonias living under trees that would affect humidity? Humidity doesn’t mean rain fall, so even if they live under a tree, it is still a humid climate.
In answer to your other questions— “the tropics” as a whole don’t have hard water. Some places do, some places don’t. If it’s an area with like…more limestone in the soil, then yes, their water would be more hard. But other areas in the tropics have very soft water. Rainfall is generally pretty soft.
I’m not sure what you mean about begonias living under trees that would affect humidity? Humidity doesn’t mean rain fall, so even if they live under a tree, it is still a humid climate.
@DreamMachine Don’t trees hold much water in their root system and soil? If a begonia like this grows under that tree does it just rot or does it adjust ? Sorry for the confusion b4 I’m trying to make the perfect environment for it
@BlingBling no worries! I’m on my way to work, so I won’t be able to respond for a while, but very generally speaking, most understories of tropic rainforests have a spongy like forest floor. Leaf litter, fallen branches, fungus etc all make for very good drainage. Begonias have very shallow root structures, so they need a soil with excellent drainage which means the water drains through well, and doesn’t stay damp for long periods of time. I use 1/3 coir, 1/3 orchid bark and 1/3 perlite for all my begonias and they love that mix. But it also depends on your own climate and environment!
@DreamMachine I agree with Nadia that is not thrips at all. It looks like damage. Reading through all the posts I read you just bought your plant last week.
Here's the thing, Begonias are very picky and will throw tissy fits whenever they change locations. It causes shock. That is all that's wrong with her. Here are some tips since she's new and in shock and the guidelines I use personally when I bring a plant home. Because their environment has totally changed they need special care.
1. Limited water, this is critical because a shocked plant drinks very little water. Water logged soil from the plant not drinking causes root rot. The worst thing you can do is bring a new plant home and water immediately.
2. NO fertilizer, because that will burn the roots.
3. Provide a stable area to place her away from direct sun.
These steps will be helpful anytime you bring a plant home. After they settle in and new growth forms you can pick up watering and some fertilizer.
I'll explain your plant, those white spots on photo 1 are just mechanical damage that doesn't always show up immediately. It's like a bruise on us from being bumped around.
Begonias get black crisp edges when they get too much water. I'm assuming you watered right when you brought her home? The crispy edge on photo 1 and the wet looking spots on photo 2&3 are from the watering.
The washed out color is also a clear sign of overwatering. I'm not blaming you if may have been watered too much in the store. They tend to grab a hose a water every plant every day without checking the soil.
To keep begonias happy they need A LOT of humidity 50-70% that is the biggest factor. Even more important than soil moisture.
I allow mine to go totally dry and then water thoroughly. That's how you avoid the crispy edges. If you have a humidifier put her right next to it. Humidity right now is great, watering is not.
Here's the thing, Begonias are very picky and will throw tissy fits whenever they change locations. It causes shock. That is all that's wrong with her. Here are some tips since she's new and in shock and the guidelines I use personally when I bring a plant home. Because their environment has totally changed they need special care.
1. Limited water, this is critical because a shocked plant drinks very little water. Water logged soil from the plant not drinking causes root rot. The worst thing you can do is bring a new plant home and water immediately.
2. NO fertilizer, because that will burn the roots.
3. Provide a stable area to place her away from direct sun.
These steps will be helpful anytime you bring a plant home. After they settle in and new growth forms you can pick up watering and some fertilizer.
I'll explain your plant, those white spots on photo 1 are just mechanical damage that doesn't always show up immediately. It's like a bruise on us from being bumped around.
Begonias get black crisp edges when they get too much water. I'm assuming you watered right when you brought her home? The crispy edge on photo 1 and the wet looking spots on photo 2&3 are from the watering.
The washed out color is also a clear sign of overwatering. I'm not blaming you if may have been watered too much in the store. They tend to grab a hose a water every plant every day without checking the soil.
To keep begonias happy they need A LOT of humidity 50-70% that is the biggest factor. Even more important than soil moisture.
I allow mine to go totally dry and then water thoroughly. That's how you avoid the crispy edges. If you have a humidifier put her right next to it. Humidity right now is great, watering is not.
@DreamMachine @SuperbRaspfern that’s great advice thank you!!! Y’all helped me a lot ! So if I repot I buy a shallow and wide container right?
A shallow pot is great. I avoid plastic, always. And keep all my plants in ceramic or porcelain because that way the roots get air flow and circulation. No air can get through plastic so they stay wet too long. Any pot will work though it doesn't need to be shallow, but shallow does help.
Just don't go too big they like to be snug in their pots. They are happiest that way.
Bling bling will definitely get better! She just needs some adjustment time. When she settles in her new leaves will be gorgeous!!! 🩷
Just don't go too big they like to be snug in their pots. They are happiest that way.
Bling bling will definitely get better! She just needs some adjustment time. When she settles in her new leaves will be gorgeous!!! 🩷
Only suggestion I would say, and maybe run it past Shannon @SuperbRaspfern, she’s much more knowledgeable than I. But begonias being their lovely tropical-loving selves, I have quite a few and I grow them in all different environments here, some in the house, some in the detached garage, and some in a standing greenhouse. I make sure to add a little Australian tree fern, it’s amazing and helps these guys a lot. But like I said, maybe ask Shannon, I know Nadia @DreamMachine has a few begonias as well, so might be able to let you know more. I’m not sure if she uses it in hers, but I do. 😉🫶🏻🌸🩵🐝
@Idplantthat I’ve been keeping it simple these days. For anything not a succulent or cactus I pot them in 1/3 coir, 1/3 orchid bark, and 1/3 perlite. It is affordable, easy to mix up, my plants are happy, and most importantly: easy for me to remember! If I dealt with more products and ingredients I’d get so confused. 😵💫 😂
That’s not to say I wouldn’t think about replacing my coir with tree fern fiber someday…but it would have to come way down in price for me to use it. 💸 💸
That just gave me a thought…could you grow your own tree fern fiber?? 🧐 💻 🤓
That’s not to say I wouldn’t think about replacing my coir with tree fern fiber someday…but it would have to come way down in price for me to use it. 💸 💸
That just gave me a thought…could you grow your own tree fern fiber?? 🧐 💻 🤓
@DreamMachine ha ha ha that’s why I bought two Australian tree ferns. 🤣 So I can make it myself. I’ve actually got my mix to what I think will be workable for 95 percent of my plants. I’ll send you a little, and I’m curious about your thoughts.
@Idplantthat omg, amazing! Where did you get the tree ferns from? I’m totally looking into this! I would also love to see how your mix is 😃
@DreamMachine, you got it! I’m planning on shipping tomorrow 👏🏻 finally. 🤣 I’ll definitely put a bag in for you. If I forget anything or something doesn’t work out and you still want it, just let me know and I’ll work on getting it to you. I got it from Etsy? Give it a few hours and I’ll look it up; I’m just getting a few things done here and when I sit down again, I’ll look it up. 🤣🌸🩵🐝
@Idplantthat no worries, I already launched into full research mode! AND that nursery that’s a few miles away from me? One Green World (I think YOU shared this nursery with me funny enough, because I didn’t know it existed 🤣) might have some in stock!! 🙌
Oh and please let me know what the shipping cost is ♥️ I would like to pay the shipping ok? 🙏
Oh and please let me know what the shipping cost is ♥️ I would like to pay the shipping ok? 🙏
@DreamMachine you don’t need to! I’m happy to pay for it. I feel like if I offer to do it, it’s my responsibility to pay for it and make it happen. 😉 Yes! One green world; omg I want to see that nursery. It’s weird that’s more of the things I miss doing when I could travel. 🤣 My adorable little niece just got back from Japan again. She brought me some Japanese gardening supplies. I’m so excited to try them. Thank goodness for Google Translate. Ha ha ha take lots of pictures of that nursery when you go! I’ve been ordering with them for a while and I love their quality. That’s where my almonds came from 😉🩵🐝🌸🫶🏻 But just in case this is the Etsy site - okay it wouldn’t work; so if OGW doesn’t have it, let me know and I’ll send you the shop; I’ve used this seller for a few years now.. hopefully it works. 🤞 And then this is mine. I might need you to text me your address one more time though. (I’m sure I could hunt it down. I think it’s in my emails, but I’m lazy. 🤣) disregard my mess of a greenhouse, summer cleaning! I can’t wait! 😜
@Idplantthat you can say what you like, your greenhouse always looks like a paradise to me! 😄 I sent you a text with my addy 👍
And I’ll take lots of pics of one green world, I think I might go this week! Unless something comes up
And I’ll take lots of pics of one green world, I think I might go this week! Unless something comes up
@DreamMachine OOOH! I’m so excited for you. That’s absolutely crazy it’s so close to you, and yet you never knew. It’s wild the things you can find out. From my understanding, it’s a mom-and-pop shop that’s still run by the family? It looks so inviting from the pictures online.
@DreamMachine, you are too kind. I feel like my greenhouse and my plant rooms are always such a mess, but having nine dogs (six massive ones) and the little kitties, they are in and out of my plants all the time, knocking them over. They know I had it, so they try to be good. But accidents happen, and my puppies love the kitties.
t.me/Melody322555