Need help saving my begonia
I got this plant as a gift and I read that it needs moisture so I had been generously watering it. It started losing leaves, I cut it all and gave it a prune, got one healthy leaf now - but I think the growth it has been seeing is pretty terrible. Now I think it either has root rot? or some fungus? I also see this little black pests that look like fungus gnats or something? They’re flying everywhere. Isolated the plant just now but I want to revive it to how beautiful she was when i got her. #HappyPlants #Begonia #Indoorplants
Last watered 1 year ago
11
Best Answer
Two cause of concern here: one, the pot has no drainage according to your plant card, and two, you state that you 'generously water'.
Firstly, unless it's an aquatic plant [which begonia is clearly not] or you're attempting hydro or semi-hydro, the pot should ALWAYS have drainage holes. This allows excess water to drain out of the pot and let the soil around the roots be dryer and airy. The roots need to breathe, and wet, soggy soil will become anaerobic. The anaerobic conditions lead to rot. Repot, use fresh soil, trim off rotten roots [they look mushy] and use a pot with drainage.
Secondly, while yes begonia like moist soil, it cannot be soggy. "Generously watering" is a sign that you're probably overwatering and you don't know it. For moisture-loving plants like these, always only water when the top third of the soil is dry, or when the plant starts losing its perkiness.
The fungus gnats are telling you that you got fungus in the soil, a result of the soil staying too moist for too long. It can get common in plants that love moisture. Repotting should eradicate most of the larvae and pupae, while sticky traps around the plant should capture most of the adults.
Firstly, unless it's an aquatic plant [which begonia is clearly not] or you're attempting hydro or semi-hydro, the pot should ALWAYS have drainage holes. This allows excess water to drain out of the pot and let the soil around the roots be dryer and airy. The roots need to breathe, and wet, soggy soil will become anaerobic. The anaerobic conditions lead to rot. Repot, use fresh soil, trim off rotten roots [they look mushy] and use a pot with drainage.
Secondly, while yes begonia like moist soil, it cannot be soggy. "Generously watering" is a sign that you're probably overwatering and you don't know it. For moisture-loving plants like these, always only water when the top third of the soil is dry, or when the plant starts losing its perkiness.
The fungus gnats are telling you that you got fungus in the soil, a result of the soil staying too moist for too long. It can get common in plants that love moisture. Repotting should eradicate most of the larvae and pupae, while sticky traps around the plant should capture most of the adults.
@Araceae Thank you! I think I have not really updated the cards when adding my plants. The grow pot does have drainage but i could have watered it more than I should have hmm…
Any idea what’s the white / grey stuff? fungus? I’ll repot it tomorrow and get some sticky traps :)
Any idea what’s the white / grey stuff? fungus? I’ll repot it tomorrow and get some sticky traps :)
@SirStretchberry yes fungus [more accurately, mould]. It forms when there's too much water as well, or in certain cases when there's too little circulation [more for terrariums]
@SirStretchberry I’m sadly facing the same thing right now with my #Begonia I’m so happy that I stumbled across this thread. Can you give us an update on #Minty? I’m planning on repotting tomorrow. @Araceae the pot that I am using does not have a drain hole. But I have also read that putting a layer of rocks in the bottom before the first layer of soil will help with the water being able to run through the soil and collect in the rocks. Of course using a measured amount of water when the top third layer of the soil is dry. What is your thoughts on that? #NewPlantMom #HappyPlants
@HopeTheyMakeIt i wouldn't recommend it. With terrariums it's fine, at least you can see how deep the water is. But with potted houseplants, unless you're attempting a semi-hydro with a clear pot, no i won't recommend it. You can't check if the water is too high, so you may inadvertently overwater anyway
@Araceae Thank you so much for taking the time to respond. Another question I have (if you don’t mind shedding some more knowledge) is where would you recommend placement? I have one in the windowsill that is south oriented and another one on an end table about 2.5 to 3 feet from the window that is facing east but it is in my living room so there are curtains over the window. I was thinking I could take it outside in the afternoons so it could catch the sun on the west side of the house. Is that okay? Cause I’m so new to this and I had NO IDEA that it was this much that went into keeping #HappyPlants. 😅 I’ve read, watched videos and tried to retain as much I can in the last 24 hours. Im still not sure on placement with direct/indirect sunlight.. i have 2 little #Begonia that I’ve named Way and Emmie after my niece and nephew. I probably should have named them something different cause now I’ma feel real bad if I kill them. Like my username says I just “hope they make it!”
@HopeTheyMakeIt Hmm… i'd say east or west would be good for most plants, but 2.5-3ft away from a curtained window seems way too little light. If you'd like, you can use the south window [assuming you're in Northern Hemisphere], but drape a sheer curtain or something to filter the harsh afternoon sun. [if you're in Southern Hemisphere then you don't need to] Afternoon sun is generally a nono for begonia.
@HopeTheyMakeIt Hi, My plant has died…. I’m very sad about it as this is the first plant i have lost after years. There was nothing left to salvage. How is your begonia doing now? :(
@SirStretchberry At this point I’m just hopin for the best. Lol