Plant Problems

If your begonias are struggling this season , you ’ve descend to the right home ! Begonias can have many common matter during their lifespan , so it ’s of import to identify plebeian problem early and remedy them as tight as potential . In this article , certified original nurseryman Laura Elsner looks at the most common issues that pestis begonias , and how to fix them .

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begonia problems

Begonias are no longer just the peak ’s in your granny ’s garden . There are so many type and varieties of begonias that it is no marvel they ’ve been making a resurgence in both indoor and outside garden . Of course , like with all plant , things can go awry .

Begonias are well known for being low - maintenance flowers . It ’s one of the intellect they are so likable , no matter how yourbegonias are grow . regrettably , many gardeners slip low - upkeep with “ no sustenance ” and that ’s where problems depart .

Not Blooming

This is a big one . When yourbegonias are n’t blooming , this usually signals that there ’s something wrong with the plant . There could be a mixed bag of different take that cause a lack of blooms . permit ’s look at the most common three , which include type of plant , deficiency of Lord’s Day , or overwatering your plant life .

Variety

I am give way to get a more obvious reason out of the manner first . Somevarieties of begoniasareknown for their blooms , while others are prize for their foliage . Wax and tuberous motley are the begonia we typically treasure for their flower .

Rhizomatous varieties are more prized for their foliage . Rhizomatous begoniasinclude rex begonias , which have gorgeous foliage , and small , less showy , blossoms for the most part . So if heyday are what you are after , choose a wax , tuberous , or a compounding of the two , known as a rieger begonia .

A good guide to follow is topurchase bloom begoniasin the bedding out plant life division of a garden center . Look forfoliage focused begoniasin the houseplant or tropic surgical incision of the garden centre .

Top view, close-up of a garden with flowering begonias in white and bright pink. The leaves are alternate, heart-shaped, asymmetrical, dark green in color. The flowers are small, consist of several elongated petals and there are a lot of them - 3 flowers are grouped on cluster-shaped inflorescences. Flowers bloom in full sun in the garden.

Not Enough Sunlight

While begonias are shade plants , too much spectre will do them tostop blooming . You require at least 4 - 6 hours of sun on them .

Any less and they will end to bloom , or have far few blossom then they would in more Lord’s Day . If you do have a very shady sphere , opt for a rex variety that will provide lustrous cor through leafage rather than blooms .

Overwatering

begonia do not permit being in sloshed soil . They will simply molder . This will also cause them to miss their flower . Test your grease by sticking your finger into it . It should feelmoist but not soggy .

Brown, Crispy Leaves

Crispy brown folio is another unwashed problem you ’ll likely encounter . It can be due to a few different things . Once you identify the cause , it can be remedied . permit ’s look at the most common intellect this happens .

Too Much Sun

While I just went over what happens when begonia do n’t get enough sunlight ( they do n’t bloom ) , too much Sunday can be equally detrimental . If yourplants are looking crispyor have crispy edges , bet at how much sun they are catch . Full sun stipulation , 6 + hours , is usually too harsh .

There are a few elision , there is a series called Solenia , which can handle full sun . Or wax varieties especially those with bronze cor leave like that of the Olympia series that will grow happily in full sun conditions .

For indoor begonias , place in a place with brilliant indirect Lord’s Day . Placing them in a window that receives too much direct Dominicus can cause the leave-taking to get crispy . If this hap trymoving your plant back from the window .

Close-up of bright red tuberous begonia flowers blooming in a garden in full sun. The leaves are dark green, pointed, prickly at the edges. The flowers consist of several elongated petals, slightly reminiscent of a rosebud. Some red buds are not open yet. The background is blurry.

Underwatering

I in reality find begonias to be quite exonerative when it comes to under watering them . However , if you neglect them for too long the farewell will get crispy .

Keep the land evenly moist , not sluggish . Use a light fluffy soil so they can suck up and drain water freely . ward off earmark your begonia to dry out entirely , this will cause them to start getting crispy , as bring up in the first place .

Low Humidity

This one is especially true forbegonias grown as houseplant . The wry air in our homes can make their parting brownish and crispy . First , check that you do not have your plant identify near an aviation vent . Dry air constantly blowing on your begonia will sprain it crispy .

Next , try adding humidness near your plants . A tray with pebble filled with urine placed underneath your begonia will provide a act of extra humidity . Alternatively , you may buy a humidifier . Place it near your plants . It will boost humidity and keep your houseplants happy .

Rotting stems

If you find your begonia stem are waste it is in all likelihood awatering and drain takings . The stem turn are soppy and the whole plant will break off at the stem .

bow and root rot is triggered by a bacterium that thrive in moist atmospheric condition . Once your works has bow rot , there is not much that can be done . Throw off the stain and disinfect any dick you were using on the flora .

To avoid rot stem , make certain you are not over tearing and that the container you have your begonia in has adequate drainage holes . Soil should feel moist , but not wet .

Close-up of watering a blooming begonia in a black clay pot in a sunny garden. Begonia has dense, lush foliage, heart-shaped, purple in color with a thin green edging along the edge. On long stems, there are 4-5 small flowers of bright red and pale pink collected in inflorescences. Flowers consist of 4-5 waxy petals and a yellow center. In the blurred background, there is a sunny garden.

For begonias constitute directly in the garden , check that you have a piece of space between each flora forairflow . meliorate the territory so it is swooning and fluffy . You may ask to add peat moss or coconut coir before planting . Do not implant them in a low consist boggy arena .

Also , when establish them in a container , plant the crown level with the lip of the pot . Do n’t plant the peak below the flange of the pot , this create a damp environment around the stem of your begonia and invites antecedent rot bacterium .

Yellow Leaves

yellowish leave is a classicsign of overwatering . If the leaves near the groundwork are evanesce to yellow and falling off check the amount of water . The soil should finger moist but not wet or quaggy .

ensure you are using a squeamish light flossy pot mixture forpotted begonias . Also , make indisputable your container has enough drain holes . place pebbles in the bottom is not enough .

For garden begonias , it is hard to control water because of the rainwater . rectify soil with peat or coconut coir will assist with the assimilation of supererogatory piddle so the ground and plant do n’t get waterlogged . Also , do n’t plant them in the course boggy area of your garden .

Close-up of a wax begonia with white flowers and bronze leaves. Some of the leaves are crispy due to excessive sun. The flower consists of 5 rounded petals and a yellow center. The background is blurry.

White Spots on Leaves

Usually , white smear on the leaves mean you aredealing with powdery mould . Powdery mildew is a fungus . It is a powdery plastic film that coats the leaves of plants . It will stunt the ontogeny and can eventually kill your begonia if entrust untreated .

Over - watering can cause mold . The overly wet conditions is a breeding background for powdery mold . verify the soil is evenly moist but not waterlogged and wet . When lachrymation also try not to spray the leaf with H2O .

For container begonias , I recommend bottom lachrymation . Leave the industrial plant in a tray of piss and countenance it suck the water up through the drain jam . Discard the supernumerary piddle . This will assure even watering and lessen the probability of powdery mildew .

Close-up of a Begonia maculata plant with dry leaves due to insufficient watering against a blurred background. The leaves are large, pointed, dark green with expressive white speckles. The ends of the leaves are brown, crispy.

For garden begonias , I like snake a drip hose through the garden and watering at soil floor or else of overhead sprinklers . If you are overhead watering , seek and do it in the early morning as opposed to evening .

That mode the water on the leave will quickly dry out in the sun as opposed to bear the foliage baby-sit sozzled all Nox . moisture foliage is a fosterage ground for powdery mildew .

space of plant is also a consideration . Leave distance between them to allow for airflow between the plants . If you have notice mildew , you could purchase afungicideat the garden center . Spray as directed . Then work on bar .

Small, black humidity and temperature sensor for the proper care of plants at home with a screen that displays the percentage of humidity and air temperature. Decorative leafy begonia in a yellow pot on a white table. The leaves are light green with dark green uniform patterns. A white flower with a yellow center blooms from under the leaves. To the left of the yellow pot is another indoor begonia plant with bright burgundy leaves. The background is blurry.

If the mold is really bad , I sometimes toss the plant life and start over . Replace the potting territory with brisk new soil so as to not reinfect the new plant .

Little White Bugs

If you comment dappled folio and a silky webbing on your plant with trivial whitened bugs , take a closer look . Tiny spider - like louse , spider mites , might be invade your plant life . If this is a houseplant , move it away from your other plants .

They spread like wildfire . Start by wiping orwashing the leaf and stemsof the plant . For outdoor plant , try a blast of the hosepipe . Be heedful using insecticidal soap . Begonias are sore to it . Spot essay a leaf and look 24 time of day to see if the leafage wilt from the insecticidal soap .

Sudden Plant Death

begonia are not frost stout . If your plants are beautiful one day and then laying hobble on the ground the next , you may have had a frost in your area . Even dispirited temperatures without frost will take its cost .

Theleaves will be nipped and brownand they will lento conk out . They need temperature above 50F ( 10C ) to thrive . Pay attention peculiarly to night temperatures . This is more important in the spring than fall . I come up newly planted begonias are more susceptible than established one . But once a frost collide with they will die .

If you live in an country where you only encounter an periodic Robert Lee Frost , handle your plant life with a sheet or Robert Frost material . Do n’t use tarpaulin or credit card , they do n’t protect from hoarfrost .

Close-up of a female hand holding a neon begonia against a gray wall. Begonia has bright green heart-shaped leaves, asymmetrical on white-brown stems. Some leaves have brown spots on the surface.

Stunted Growth

Stunted outgrowth can be a sign that your begonia isnot getting enough nutrient . They are heavy feeders , peculiarly the ones with big beautiful bloom .

For begonias grown in the garden ensure you are amending your ground prior to planting . Top dress garden beds in the downfall or outpouring . you could use compost , elderly manure , louse castings , or sea soil . No need to dig it into the grunge . The nutrients will seep down over metre .

For container grown begonia I start with a nice light downy pot soil . Then I feed . Outdoor container I fertilize every two weeks in the summer months . Anall - purpose 20 - 20 - 20works keen . you could also top dress container with some worm castings .

Close-up of a blooming red begonia with yellowing leaves in a sunny garden. The flowers are medium-sized, double, rounded petals arranged in several rows with a yellow center. The leaves are heart-shaped, pointed, green with yellowing due to excessive watering. The background is blurry.

For indoor plants , again I start with light fluffy potting mix . Then I fertilise every two week during the dynamic growing season . I do n’t fertilize in winter when they are dormant . A 20 - 20 - 20 works great . I incline to utilize a fluid fertilizer for my indoor plants .

Brown Spots

unorthodox brown lesions on the leaves of your begonia is not a good sign of the zodiac . This could be caused byfoliar nematodes . Unfortunately , there is no treatment for them . Dispose of the plant to confine spread . Do not put it in your compost .

check that you rule out other possibilities before name with foliar nematodes . record number two to rule out any other reason of crispy , brown leaves .

Leaves With Holes

Begonias bang moist shady gardens , so do slugs and snails . If you notice porous leaves and trails of slime , look forslugs and snail . These slimeball cuss love to feast on foliage .

There are some options to control poke and snails . you could hand - pick them . This is best done in the other morning or the other eve . It ’s time - consuming but peculiarly satisfying .

you’re able to sprinklecrushed eggshellsordiatomaceous earth(which can be purchased at garden centre ) around your begonias .   The needlelike fragment will cut up the slugs and escargot . They wo n’t cross them to get to the industrial plant . This will have to be reapplied after heavy rains or till the soil .

Top view of a potted flowering begonia infected with powdery mildew. The begonia has bright green foliage that is pointed with white powdery spots. The flowers are pink, semi-double, with a yellow center. Begonia in a pot stands on a light wooden table.

The beer method works for catching slugs and snail . occupy shallow trays with beer and leave them in the garden . Empty the trays every morning or eve and refill as need .

Slug lure also works . It istoxic to dogs , so apply with carefulness , but it work . Sprinkle it throughout your garden . The slugs will disappear .

Plants Look Like They Were Eaten

If the begonias in your garden just appear to be eaten . It ’s plausibly deer . cervid bonk the flower of begoniasand will eat their overweight tubers happily . There are a few way of life to dissuade cervid .

The sort you ’ve choose will impact if cervid will snack on them . Wax begonia with waxy or fuzzy leave of absence are in general forfend by deer ( I say this , but a hungry deer will snack on almost anything ) .

Another corking deterrent is simply keep them out of reach . hang basketsof a string up variety of begonia is a gravid way to savour those shady heyday without pesky deer .

Close-up of spider mites on the stem and leaves of a plant under sunlight. A thin cobweb with many small insects is formed on a purple stem with green leaves with brown spots. The background is blurry.

Using sprays that will dissuade deer , or sprinkle blood meal around the garden will also deter them , keep in mind it will need reapplied after rainfall or sprinklers .

Final Thoughts

begonia are loved by both gardeners and houseplant enthusiasts . It ’s one of the few plants everyone can hold on . prevent them healthy and happy is simple for the most part . If you work into troubles , hopefully , these 11 pourboire will get you back on track togrowing healthy and beautiful begonias .

On the concrete floor are 6 black, brown and white plastic pots with a dead begonia plant due to frost. The stems and leaves of the plant are sluggish, soft, drooping, not subject to recovery. The background is blurry.

Close-up of a strawberry begonia growing in a brown pot, top view. The leaves are beautiful, heart-shaped, green with white veins, and thin small hairs all over the surface of the plant. Stems are red. White fertilizer granules are scattered on the moist soil.

Close-up of a diseased begonia outdoors in a black oblong plastic container. Leaves are heart-shaped, pale green. Some leaves are yellow with crisp brown edges, some leaves have brown spots on the surface. A pair of bright pink flowers emerge from under the leaves.

Close-up of a snail on a pink begonia flower. The flower has rounded petals and a yellow center. The snail is small, has a small shell with a brown stripe. The body of the snail is translucent. The background is very blurry.

Close-up of an illumination begonia blooming with orange flowers in a white hanging basket. The flowers are double, collected in clusters, and hanging from the red stem. The leaves are dark green and pointed. There is another hanging pot of orange begonia hanging in the blurred background.