Help me not kill my beautiful plant please
I got this beautiful vining begonia about a month and a half ago. It was PERFECT. Then my dog got sick, I piled all of the vines on its hanger, and forgot about it for a couple of weeks. When I came to, it desperately needed water, leaves falling off and yellowing, and it seemed like it's tendrils were suffocating its new growth. So I untangled all of the vines, watered, and got it under my grow lights. It's still losing leaves. I have a trellis coming tomorrow for it to grab. The humidity is at 64% in my room but I have a humidifier I can set up.
Anyone have any other tips to restore and keep this beauty alive? It is currently in a wine ice bucket, about 3 feet from some barrina bar lights. #happyplants #plantsmakepeoplehappy #plantaddict #planttherapy #petsandplants #newplantmom #hangingplants
Anyone have any other tips to restore and keep this beauty alive? It is currently in a wine ice bucket, about 3 feet from some barrina bar lights. #happyplants #plantsmakepeoplehappy #plantaddict #planttherapy #petsandplants #newplantmom #hangingplants
8β pot with drainage
Last watered 1 month ago
8
Best Answer
Hi! Iβm really sorry whatβs happening right now. Hereβs what you can do for your Begonia:
Hereβs whatβs happening:
β’ Severe stress from dehydration and being piled up β older leaves are yellowing and falling (normal after bad drought stress).
β’ New growth was smothered under the tangled vines.
β’ Environment:
β’ Good humidity (64% is great; could be bumped to 70% with the humidifier).
β’ Light might be slightly low β 3 feet away from grow lights could be too far for a recovering plant.
βΈ»
What you should do now:
1. Move it closer to the lights
β’ Bring it 12β18 inches from the Barrina bar lights if possible (closer than 3 feet).
β’ Rex Begonia Vines love bright indirect light β not direct blasting, but strong enough to encourage healthy leaves.
2. Prune lightly
β’ Trim off dead or fully yellowed leaves with clean scissors.
β’ Leave any green leaves or even slightly damaged ones β they still help feed the plant for now.
3. Untangle carefully and trellis it
β’ Setting up that trellis is perfect timing!
β’ Gently encourage vines to climb up β this helps new leaves get light and air.
4. Water properly
β’ Keep the soil moist but not soggy.
β’ Water when the top half-inch of soil feels dry.
β’ Always water thoroughly so water drains out the bottom.
5. Humidity boost
β’ Set up the humidifier nearby to push it to around 70% humidity if possible β Rex Begonia Vine loves humidity and will perk up faster.
6. Be patient
β’ The plant is in survival mode right now β it may still lose a few more leaves as it rebalances itself.
β’ New healthy growth should start pushing out in a few weeks if you follow these steps!
Quick rescue checklist:
β’ Closer to lights (12β18 inches)
β’ Light pruning (dead/yellow leaves only)
β’ Trellis the vines gently
β’ Moist (not soggy) watering
β’ Boost humidity if possible
β’ Wait and watch for new growth!
I really hope your dog feels better, as well as you and your begonia. Hopefully this helps! β€οΈ
Hereβs whatβs happening:
β’ Severe stress from dehydration and being piled up β older leaves are yellowing and falling (normal after bad drought stress).
β’ New growth was smothered under the tangled vines.
β’ Environment:
β’ Good humidity (64% is great; could be bumped to 70% with the humidifier).
β’ Light might be slightly low β 3 feet away from grow lights could be too far for a recovering plant.
βΈ»
What you should do now:
1. Move it closer to the lights
β’ Bring it 12β18 inches from the Barrina bar lights if possible (closer than 3 feet).
β’ Rex Begonia Vines love bright indirect light β not direct blasting, but strong enough to encourage healthy leaves.
2. Prune lightly
β’ Trim off dead or fully yellowed leaves with clean scissors.
β’ Leave any green leaves or even slightly damaged ones β they still help feed the plant for now.
3. Untangle carefully and trellis it
β’ Setting up that trellis is perfect timing!
β’ Gently encourage vines to climb up β this helps new leaves get light and air.
4. Water properly
β’ Keep the soil moist but not soggy.
β’ Water when the top half-inch of soil feels dry.
β’ Always water thoroughly so water drains out the bottom.
5. Humidity boost
β’ Set up the humidifier nearby to push it to around 70% humidity if possible β Rex Begonia Vine loves humidity and will perk up faster.
6. Be patient
β’ The plant is in survival mode right now β it may still lose a few more leaves as it rebalances itself.
β’ New healthy growth should start pushing out in a few weeks if you follow these steps!
Quick rescue checklist:
β’ Closer to lights (12β18 inches)
β’ Light pruning (dead/yellow leaves only)
β’ Trellis the vines gently
β’ Moist (not soggy) watering
β’ Boost humidity if possible
β’ Wait and watch for new growth!
I really hope your dog feels better, as well as you and your begonia. Hopefully this helps! β€οΈ
FIRST THING TO NOTE: as confusing as it may be, Rex Begonia Vine is not a begonia, not even related to it. It's species name is Cissus discolor.
SECONDLY: this species likes to be kept moist. Hailing from Java, it grows up trees in the rainforest. Water when soil is about 30% dry from the top.
THIRD THING TO NOTE: it's actually related to grapevines. Same family [Vitaceae]
SECONDLY: this species likes to be kept moist. Hailing from Java, it grows up trees in the rainforest. Water when soil is about 30% dry from the top.
THIRD THING TO NOTE: it's actually related to grapevines. Same family [Vitaceae]
Thank you SO much @GirlWhosLovable for all of that very detailed and helpful information. I'm going to apply everything I can in the best way I can.
Just one additional question, why water top down? I've always watered bottom up because of soil gnats but if it's better the other way for this plant I'll be sure to change things up.
Just one additional question, why water top down? I've always watered bottom up because of soil gnats but if it's better the other way for this plant I'll be sure to change things up.
@Katiekinns @GirlWhosLovable
Wow π²!
What an incredible and thoughtful answer.
Meli...You took a long, thorough time with creating your answer and made it very easy for Kate to understand by adding your "Quick rescue checklist".
I bottom water all of my plants but maybe top watering was suggested because Rex is in a hanging basket π§Ί, which makes it difficult to do and would add stress to your plant because of having to juggle it around so much to bottom water.
Wishing you all success and hoping pups is on the mend!
Wow π²!
What an incredible and thoughtful answer.
Meli...You took a long, thorough time with creating your answer and made it very easy for Kate to understand by adding your "Quick rescue checklist".
I bottom water all of my plants but maybe top watering was suggested because Rex is in a hanging basket π§Ί, which makes it difficult to do and would add stress to your plant because of having to juggle it around so much to bottom water.
Wishing you all success and hoping pups is on the mend!
@GirlWhosLovable
I just tried to follow you because I really appreciate your answer to @Katiekinns
but you have a private account.
When you post or answer a question, would you feel comfortable also adding my ID... @CutePolypremum? I'm always anxious to learn more!
I just tried to follow you because I really appreciate your answer to @Katiekinns
but you have a private account.
When you post or answer a question, would you feel comfortable also adding my ID... @CutePolypremum? I'm always anxious to learn more!
@CutePolypremum Hi! I now just set my account to public so you may try again. And yes, Iβll try to add your id!
@GirlWhosLovable
That's just awesome!
Thanks...
That's just awesome!
Thanks...
