Begonia issues again
@DreamMachine girl I rlly can’t keep it alive idk what I’m doing wrong it’s pale and the new growth is grey and floppy. The base is starting to dry up but the leaves that are grown look good. Pls help I don’t know what else to do I repotted it but the roots were too little
#HappyPlants #PlantsMakePeopleHappy #PlantAddict #Begonia #BegoniaRex #BegoniaBunch #NewGrowth #PlantTherapy #PlantCorner
#HappyPlants #PlantsMakePeopleHappy #PlantAddict #Begonia #BegoniaRex #BegoniaBunch #NewGrowth #PlantTherapy #PlantCorner
Last watered 2 months ago
32
@Jujube awww my dear, first take a deep breath 😮💨 It’ll be okay, and I just want to send you hugs 🫂 and reassurance.
Second, I’m not really seeing any issues in these photos? I’m going to tag @SuperbRaspfern to make sure but there is nothing jumping out at me. Even though we see lots of perfect plants on social media with ZERO imperfections, that’s not real life. They’re not showing you the brown spots, crispy edges or yellow leaves just out of frame. Plants are not perfect. And just because a plant has some of these does not mean that something is seriously wrong.
I would just give your begonia time, and a little distance. Let her soil completely dry out and then water her thoroughly. And repeat ♥️
Second, I’m not really seeing any issues in these photos? I’m going to tag @SuperbRaspfern to make sure but there is nothing jumping out at me. Even though we see lots of perfect plants on social media with ZERO imperfections, that’s not real life. They’re not showing you the brown spots, crispy edges or yellow leaves just out of frame. Plants are not perfect. And just because a plant has some of these does not mean that something is seriously wrong.
I would just give your begonia time, and a little distance. Let her soil completely dry out and then water her thoroughly. And repeat ♥️
@DreamMachine I freaked out I repotted it in a smaller pot with perlite it does not have ONE big root. The little new leaves are dying and I think the base has started to rot . I cried with google ai it kinda tried to help but idk I’m not sleeping tonight
I see that she's still struggling. I have a few questions before I can confirm and I'll also let you know why I have these questions.
Do you still have her outside? Your Oasis says she's outside.
If so she is getting too extreme of sun in summer. Since you're in Macedonia, your summer is now. A Rex Begonia can do well outside where you live. But she must be protected from direct sun in the heat of the day.
Otherwise she will crisp up from the heat. Get sun stressed which causes shock in them and overall struggle. The sun will also cause pale, floppy, grey leaves. Which is exactly what is happening to yours.
Keep in mind these grow on the forest floor and get protected in nature by the trees above. Sometimes knowing that can help you understand why they struggle.
The prefer somewhat stable conditions.
(The same is true for winter, they must be protected from frost and cold).
Now to the roots it's normal for them to have dry fine, almost stringy root. That is really all they have. They don't have huge root systems. They actually have a rhizome right above the soil or just barely below. It is part of the stem. It's hard to see on yours and may have been buried during your repot. It's the knobby area of the stem.
If that's the case than you need to remove some of the dirt in your pot and expose it. If they are buried they rot.
I'm not suggesting a whole repot again. That will be too much for her. Just remove the surface layer to expose the rhizome.
Also don't water for at least a week. It's very easy to damage the fine thread like roots. She will be shocked.
So, here is what to do.
1. Protect her from direct hot sun. If you can provide a shady location. She will like that better outdoors. Or move her to the North, East or West. NO South sun.
2. Remove a bit of soil to expose the rhizome.
3. No water, for at least a week.
4. No fertilizer until she has stabilized and started putting out new growth. It burns roots of shocked plants.
5. Be patient it can take a while for shock to pass.
@DreamMachine Thanks for the tag my friend 🩷
Do you still have her outside? Your Oasis says she's outside.
If so she is getting too extreme of sun in summer. Since you're in Macedonia, your summer is now. A Rex Begonia can do well outside where you live. But she must be protected from direct sun in the heat of the day.
Otherwise she will crisp up from the heat. Get sun stressed which causes shock in them and overall struggle. The sun will also cause pale, floppy, grey leaves. Which is exactly what is happening to yours.
Keep in mind these grow on the forest floor and get protected in nature by the trees above. Sometimes knowing that can help you understand why they struggle.
The prefer somewhat stable conditions.
(The same is true for winter, they must be protected from frost and cold).
Now to the roots it's normal for them to have dry fine, almost stringy root. That is really all they have. They don't have huge root systems. They actually have a rhizome right above the soil or just barely below. It is part of the stem. It's hard to see on yours and may have been buried during your repot. It's the knobby area of the stem.
If that's the case than you need to remove some of the dirt in your pot and expose it. If they are buried they rot.
I'm not suggesting a whole repot again. That will be too much for her. Just remove the surface layer to expose the rhizome.
Also don't water for at least a week. It's very easy to damage the fine thread like roots. She will be shocked.
So, here is what to do.
1. Protect her from direct hot sun. If you can provide a shady location. She will like that better outdoors. Or move her to the North, East or West. NO South sun.
2. Remove a bit of soil to expose the rhizome.
3. No water, for at least a week.
4. No fertilizer until she has stabilized and started putting out new growth. It burns roots of shocked plants.
5. Be patient it can take a while for shock to pass.
@DreamMachine Thanks for the tag my friend 🩷
@SuperbRaspfern when I got her there was not that rhizome you said idk what that is or where and I’m kinda scared to dig more
You don't need to disturb her. The Rhizomes are on her stem. The area that is bumpy near the base. Just brush some soil away and out. You could even use a soft paintbrush that will be very gentle. (A soft paintbrush is one of my plant necessities to brush away soil etc from leaves after repotting).
You just want to expose that part of the stem otherwise the stem will rot at that area.
If you feel that area and it is squishy. It's already rotted. It should be firm. If it's rotted cut above that portion and propagate by sticking the healthy potion in water.
There are other ways too. Just let me know if you want them. This is the easiest way for propagating beginners. They propagate very well.
She doesn't look rotted though she's not showing signs of that she just looks like she had too much sun on the South side.
Exposing the rhizomes is necessary though. I'm sorry I know it's scary. 😢
I think perhaps since you repotted her she started to lean because of their fragile roots. So, you decided to bury her deeper so she stands upright?
It's okay if you did that's what a lot of people do. But it does bury that rhizome and leads to problems.
If she's tippy when you expose the rhizome use a small stake or stick to tie her to. Then she will stand upright.
I'm just guessing on what happened and the process you went through. But, if that was what happened during repot. It will need to be corrected. That way you will have a happy plant. 🩷
You just want to expose that part of the stem otherwise the stem will rot at that area.
If you feel that area and it is squishy. It's already rotted. It should be firm. If it's rotted cut above that portion and propagate by sticking the healthy potion in water.
There are other ways too. Just let me know if you want them. This is the easiest way for propagating beginners. They propagate very well.
She doesn't look rotted though she's not showing signs of that she just looks like she had too much sun on the South side.
Exposing the rhizomes is necessary though. I'm sorry I know it's scary. 😢
I think perhaps since you repotted her she started to lean because of their fragile roots. So, you decided to bury her deeper so she stands upright?
It's okay if you did that's what a lot of people do. But it does bury that rhizome and leads to problems.
If she's tippy when you expose the rhizome use a small stake or stick to tie her to. Then she will stand upright.
I'm just guessing on what happened and the process you went through. But, if that was what happened during repot. It will need to be corrected. That way you will have a happy plant. 🩷
@SuperbRaspfern I didn’t bury her there was a cloth around from the nursery. I didn’t even kno abt the rhizomes and two stems already rotted so I cut them. I hope it’s gonna be okay
@Jujube Ignore her. You know how I said they have threadlike fragile roots that are easily damaged during repots?
That's what is happening. The shock will last roughly 3 weeks. So just ignore her. She'll start to put out new growth after she recovers from the shock.
Here is how to get her through:)
1. Less water, they don't drink much if anything during shock. Think, little bits you don't want her roots soaking in wet soil. She will suffer root rot.
2. No fertilizer- it will burn her
3. Stable environment with consistent temp and protection from sun. NO direct light at all.
4. This is when patience is mandatory, make no adjustments (repots etc. are a no-no it sets them back farther. It's a learning process, so don't hate on yourself for the repot.
If you can, I have a plant ICU where I don't see them as often. It's easier to ignore them and not poke at them this way. She needs rest.
She'll be okay, hang in there. You're just learning her needs. Sometimes they look worse through the learning process and that's okay! 🩷
That's what is happening. The shock will last roughly 3 weeks. So just ignore her. She'll start to put out new growth after she recovers from the shock.
Here is how to get her through:)
1. Less water, they don't drink much if anything during shock. Think, little bits you don't want her roots soaking in wet soil. She will suffer root rot.
2. No fertilizer- it will burn her
3. Stable environment with consistent temp and protection from sun. NO direct light at all.
4. This is when patience is mandatory, make no adjustments (repots etc. are a no-no it sets them back farther. It's a learning process, so don't hate on yourself for the repot.
If you can, I have a plant ICU where I don't see them as often. It's easier to ignore them and not poke at them this way. She needs rest.
She'll be okay, hang in there. You're just learning her needs. Sometimes they look worse through the learning process and that's okay! 🩷
By the way I hate that cloth they put around them in nurseries!!! 😢 It sounds like you removed the cloth??? That a GOOD thing that you removed it, they die with those because those fine roots get restricted. Damage does happen on removal though no matter how gentle you are. That's why she is shocked. The big box stores are the worst about that. In the US we have stores called Lowe's and Home Depot, plants are cheaper but they also need immediate care like the cloth removed. The smaller family operated nurseries are usually much better about treating their plants well. (You do pay more for that care though).
At least if you buy more plants you are learning what to look for when you bring a plant home and can remove those cloths right away and get your plants off to a great healthy start.
Just tag me if you run into anything else along the way questionable. I'll answer as soon as I can. 🩷
At least if you buy more plants you are learning what to look for when you bring a plant home and can remove those cloths right away and get your plants off to a great healthy start.
Just tag me if you run into anything else along the way questionable. I'll answer as soon as I can. 🩷
@Jujube I second what Shannon @SuperbRaspfern said. Begonias will make a fuss after repotting but if you leave them alone like she said, for a few weeks, they’ll be more likely to make a good recovery. I always made things worse whenever I kept poking around 😝
Also is the cloth like that very thin feeling but mesh type cloth? I hate that too, ugh! Glad you removed it!
Also is the cloth like that very thin feeling but mesh type cloth? I hate that too, ugh! Glad you removed it!
@SuperbRaspfern @DreamMachine guys I think one of the baby leaves is rotting. Also yesterday b4 @SuperbRaspfern commented I kinda messed up panicked and gave it water. I’m also glad I removed that b* of a cloth and that the soil today is not moist which made me kinda anxious again
@DreamMachine @SuperbRaspfern hey again ik I’ve been kinda annoying but is it supposed to look like this?
@Jujube she might look worse before she looks better.
I know it’s hard, especially when you’re so invested, but try to leave her be. I’ll show you a pic of one of my begonias after I repotted so you can see how dramatically they can slump before looking better.
Have you been following Shannon’s @SuperbRaspfern care guide? Less water, no fertilizer, stable conditions? Then she just needs time. I had one grow back from one gnarly mangled leaf to health.
And now, I say this kindly, but put the begonia down and imagine me shooing you away from her 😅
Plants move at a much slower pace than we do, so we can’t react to every little thing, because what she’s responding to now is the repot and poking around her roots from weeks ago.
I know it’s hard, especially when you’re so invested, but try to leave her be. I’ll show you a pic of one of my begonias after I repotted so you can see how dramatically they can slump before looking better.
Have you been following Shannon’s @SuperbRaspfern care guide? Less water, no fertilizer, stable conditions? Then she just needs time. I had one grow back from one gnarly mangled leaf to health.
And now, I say this kindly, but put the begonia down and imagine me shooing you away from her 😅
Plants move at a much slower pace than we do, so we can’t react to every little thing, because what she’s responding to now is the repot and poking around her roots from weeks ago.
@DreamMachine LMAOOOO THE SHOO PART ALRIGHT SO U WONT LIKE WHAT I DID. I took the healthy leaf away and put it in water you can cuss me 😭🙏🏻 Also yeah I don’t even water it
@DreamMachine 🤣😭😂 You have me cracking up with the "put the begonia down and imagine me shooing you away" 😂
That's perfectly stated!
That's perfectly stated!
@SuperbRaspfern 📢 “put the begonia down, and no one gets hurt! 😂😂 *crackle crackle loudspeaker interference*
@Jujube
So, have you ever seen a show or movie where someone is moving in slow motion and normal speed people are a blur zipping around them? The plant is in slow motion, compared to us, WE are the zippy blurs.
So if we keep changing things, like multiple times per week, the plant gets so confused and befuddled. WE think it’s the last thing we did to them, but the plant is responding to what happened two or three Tuesday’s ago.
And I would *never* cuss you out. I’m here for support and encouragement only. 🥰
I also remember what that felt like, I had a lot of anxiety around my plants. I wanted to control everything around me because it felt better that way. And because I panicked I actually would do more harm than good. So also imagine me giving you a nice hug and saying it’ll be okay. 🫂 🫂
@Jujube
So, have you ever seen a show or movie where someone is moving in slow motion and normal speed people are a blur zipping around them? The plant is in slow motion, compared to us, WE are the zippy blurs.
So if we keep changing things, like multiple times per week, the plant gets so confused and befuddled. WE think it’s the last thing we did to them, but the plant is responding to what happened two or three Tuesday’s ago.
And I would *never* cuss you out. I’m here for support and encouragement only. 🥰
I also remember what that felt like, I had a lot of anxiety around my plants. I wanted to control everything around me because it felt better that way. And because I panicked I actually would do more harm than good. So also imagine me giving you a nice hug and saying it’ll be okay. 🫂 🫂
@DreamMachine “Girl I officially killed the begonia” 📢 I said as I cried over the stem that started being mushy
@Jujube don’t give up yet! New leaves could still grow, but only if you Keep it in that good spot, and don’t look at it for a week!
Here’s one of mine throwing a huge post-repotting fit. Then she bounced back.
After a week, if the soil is bone dry you can give some water, then ignore her for another week! If she’s not dry yet, check back in a couple days.
Here’s one of mine throwing a huge post-repotting fit. Then she bounced back.
After a week, if the soil is bone dry you can give some water, then ignore her for another week! If she’s not dry yet, check back in a couple days.
@DreamMachine yours look goood mine was still very small though. It’s in a small pot should I water her ? She has no leaves rn and the main stem is kinda floppy and mushy