I've been trying for years to help my parents in Walnut Creek, CA grow avocados bc we see and know of nearby trees, including a friend's tree that survived the all time record freeze of 1990, and they've lost several trees, always during the summer, due to these same issues of leaf browning, blackening and shriveling of stems and trunk, etc. They grow sapote, guava, and macadamia in the same part of the yard, but those darn avos won't make it. With low watering, high summer heatwaves, and clay soil, it sounds like we're getting to the bottom of things. If I can persuade them to try another Mexicola Grande, then with more water and lots of gypsum, maybe theyll have better luck. Thanks for the tips!

Cas Li, Yours is not a maculata but rather a hybrid with maculata in its parentage. The leaf is too wide for its length IMO. Try looking at Flamingo Queen which is a dramatic hybrid from maculata and so many other wonderful hybrids with maculata in it. Go to the International Database of Begonias and do an advanced find. Put in maculata as one of the parents and do a search. This database is a bit fussy so if you do the next page of results, then use the next at the bottom of the page. Do not use the next button at the top of the page. If you want to see each match (make sure it is a cane type) then right mouse click and do an open in a new window or tab. If you left mouse click on any link it will take you there but the back button will get an error and you will have to start again. http://ibegonias.filemakerstudio.com.au/index.php?-link=Home Some hybrids that I've had are Amelia, Matchmaker, Texas Lone Star, and many more. They all have the same genetic flaw though - mildew prone. Here are four I had years ago (Texas Lone Star, Sierra Mountain King, Flamingo Queen, and Matchmaker) Enjoy what you have and don't worry about names unless you started selling any.

Not fungus gnats, I just had an infestation over winter had to put out pots early using yellow stickies and mosquito bits for BT - couldn't eradicate only control (I have side drainage holes in pots and they would go in the sides) - they are TINY. It looks like some kind of ant in the mating phase.......Outside I've also have aphids, wooly aphids and cherry mites - so I went after the ants themselves in pots and garden - Terro liquid highly recommended

I also questioned size of pot in my original post, but didn't say that you should use smaller one. Karen is right. If you find that plan is tipping pt over, you can place a larger rock or 2 on top of the mix. I use large rocks to support newly repotted plants, but they can be good counterweights too. Or use pot that is not so deep but wider at the base, so it is more stable. Terracotta/clay pots are also more stable, because they are heavy. I use mostly plastic for that reason. I also mentioned that I would cut of leaves that are mushy - didn't say that you should since I really can't see the mushines in your photo. I keep succulents in smaller pots. Not because "they like it" as some ppl suggest, but for lack of space. If plant gets too big, I rather divide it and give away some. The reason I do not grow Aloe vera - it's leaves grow quite long... I know that pp used put some rocks or pieces of broken terracotta pots over drainage hole to prevent mix from falling out. Use piece of window screen or any other mesh with small openings. Or even piece of landscape fabric (it lets water thru), or coffee filter. Even piece of newspaper will work, but it will decompose.