How often should I water a spotted begonia?
WATERING. The polka dot begonia prefers her soil to dry out before she is watered again. In the summer a weekly water is adequate and in the winter she will need much less. Always let the first few inches of soil dry out for watering again. Soil: Begonias prefer rich, well-drained soil. For those in pots, use a high quality all-purpose potting mix. Make sure containers have adequate drainage holes. Watering: Keep soil evenly moist but not soggy.The polka dot begonia prefers moist, rich soil. Since it is most often grown in containers or indoors, a good potting mix should suffice, or a sandy loam soil.Its a cane begonia so it will naturally grow tall and not bushy. If you want to keep it bushy you have to routinely trim off the top growth, propagate and then plant back in the same pot.To do this, simply cut your begonia below the nodes on the stem. Here there are dormant growth points from which the plant will sprout new growth.
Should I mist my spotted begonia?
Begonias are prone to powdery mildew that can occur if their leaves are kept wet, so avoid getting the leaves wet during watering and do not mist the plant. You should regularly check your begonia for leaves and stems which are discoloured. Remove dead or diseased parts with shears or scissors. Cut off the discoloured stem or leaf just below the start of the brown area, but try to leave as much of the healthy (green) area of the plant intact as possible.Yellowing leaves are a sign of your Begonia being overwatered, another indication of over-saturated soil is if the leaves are mushy to the touch or turning brown. This means rot has set in, causing excessive leaf drop or wilt even though the soil is moist.Water/Fertilization – Begonia curl may also occur due to overwatering, underwatering, or overuse of plant fertilizer. Maintaining a consistent schedule of each of these garden tasks will help growers to better diagnose the cause of leaf curl.Leaf tips turning brown is a common issue with this houseplant. Be sure your Begonia maculata is not placed too close to any heating or cooling vents/drafts. This plant also prefers to be watered with distilled water, as it can be sensitive to the minerals in tap water.Begonias enjoy bright but indirect light. Too much harsh sun can scorch the leaves and stress the plant, which leads to quicker flower drop.
What does a sick Begonia look like?
Some diseases that could affect your begonias are bacterial leaf spot, powdery mildew, botrytis, Pythium root rot, and rhizoctonia crown rot. Some signs that your plant may have bacterial leaf spot are water-soaked areas on leaves surrounded by yellow rings. Some stem rot may also be present. Keep your begonias happy with a moist environment but beware of soggy soil! These plants like to stay damp, and not dry out completely, but they hate having their roots sitting in water. Use well draining soil with some compost material, to help retain moisture.The Begonia is very sensitive to drought conditions and will quickly decline if they don’t receive consistent watering. Signs of underwatering include: -Curled, pendulous, lifeless leaves; -Some leaves will gradually turn yellow from the bottom; -The edges of the leaves will turn brown.If the top couple of inches of soil are dry, it’s time to water your begonia. Always check the soil moisture level before watering if your begonia is wilting. Lack of moisture may not be the reason the begonia leaves are wilting. If the soil is bone dry, water a little at a time.A: To encourage begonias to bloom, give them 3-4 hours of bright, indirect light and plant them in a well-draining soil mix. Regularly feed them with a balanced liquid fertilizer during the growing season. Water your plants consistently but ensure the soil doesn’t get soggy.
Where should I put my spotted Begonia?
Your Spotted Begonia prefers bright, indirect light and lots of it, but will enjoy brief exposure to direct light. Can tolerate lower light conditions, but be sure to adjust watering and expect the plant to take on an elongated, sparse look. Extra humidity appreciated in drier spaces. You should prune the plant when it’s growing, which is usually from spring to early fall. Don’t prune it in the winter, when it’s not growing. Also, spotted begonia plants can get bushy, so it’s important to thin out any stems that are too close together or overlap to help them grow well and keep their shape.Plan for some leaf drop until plants become established again. All Begonias need bright filtered light when brought indoors and can sometimes be grown in full sun, but be careful not to burn plants by exposing them to bright sun if they were grown in the shade previously.Scorched leaves and wilting signal too much sun for Begonia ‘Torch’. Bright, indirect light is ideal; east-facing windows are best.How to Trim Back Begonias. Pinch or cut off new growths when the plant is young to encourage it to grow bushier instead of taller. Cut the top third of foliage back when it gets too overgrown.
Should I bottom water my begonia?
Bottom watering is ideal for houseplants that like consistently moist or wet soil. Plants like Begonias, Calatheas and Peperomias like moist soil at all times. On the contrary, plants that love drier soils like succulents, string of pearls and cacti are also suitable to be bottom watered. Bottom watering makes your roots work for their water source. Instead of being “fed” the water, they are having to bring the water up to them. This promotes healthy and stronger roots in the long run. This technique also helps your plant’s roots grow downwards.Bottom watering is ideal for houseplants that like consistently moist or wet soil. Plants like Begonias, Calatheas and Peperomias like moist soil at all times. On the contrary, plants that love drier soils like succulents, string of pearls and cacti are also suitable to be bottom watered.
What is the lifespan of a Begonia?
How long does the average cultivar survive? The lifespan of the average cultivar in begonias is most likely around 10 years. Of the roughly 20,000 cultivars of Begonia we know of, only a fraction still exist. Watering: How Often Should I Water My Begonias? Generally, every two to four days. Keep your begonias happy with a moist environment but beware of soggy soil! These plants like to stay damp, and not dry out completely, but they hate having their roots sitting in water.Begonias are lovely flowers that are well-suited to shady garden spaces, underneath trees, or in containers placed in areas of your porch, patio, or yard that offer protection from afternoon sunlight. They grow best in light, fertile, well-drained soil and will not survive when waterlogged.Keep soil evenly moist, allowing it to dry only slightly between waterings. Reduce water in winter (stop watering tuberous begonias in fall). Always avoid wet or waterlogged soil.Here are the main care requirements for growing Begonia maculata. Give the plant partial or indirect sunlight. Plant in a high-quality potting mix that is very well-draining. Water twice a week and only if the top 1/2 inch of the soil is dry; never overwater this plant.Fresh-cut begonia flowers in a vase usually last around 5 to 10 days, while potted begonias can bloom for weeks or even months with proper care. Some types even bloom off and on throughout the year. In short, these lovely flowers give you plenty of time to enjoy their beauty, especially if you treat them well.
What does an overwatered Begonia look like?
Yellowing leaves are a sign of your Begonia being overwatered, another indication of over-saturated soil is if the leaves are mushy to the touch or turning brown. This means rot has set in, causing excessive leaf drop or wilt even though the soil is moist. Water Care for Indoor Begonias The best care is to water them once the top inch of soil is dry, which you can easily check with your finger. To ensure that the soil doesn’t stay excessively wet, take care to have an appropriately-sized pot, roughly the same size as the plant’s root ball.You can leave begonias in pots over winter, provided you move the pots into a dark frost-free place before the first frosts. Stop watering over winter. Once new growth starts in spring, move the pots into the light and start watering.One of the best ways to keep begonias happy and flowering is to plant them in well-draining soil. They also need the right amount of sunlight, moisture, and nutrition. Read the label on your plant to determine if it can handle full sun or shade conditions before choosing a spot to plant it.I let mine go bone dry and then water that prevents the crispy tips. Begonias in general are not happy when overwatered. And the polka dots really let you know! They like indirect light and stable conditions.