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Beefsteak (I think) begonia and drooping - why?

15 years ago

Hello all,

Below is a link to what I think is a beefsteak begonia. Its leaves are drooping pretty drastically. Can you tell if I'm just not supporting it enough? Or might it not be getting enough water? Or light? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/begonia/hpgal0220294013666.html

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Comments (5)

hc mcdole
15 years ago
It could be not enough light, over watering, under watering, or humidity. It looks fine to me but if you want it to look better then give it more light, fertilize it if you haven't recently, check the soil for moistness (too much or too little), and maybe add more humidity if it seems too dry for you. Longer days should get it to growing again since it may just be taking a winter's rest.
emerald1951
15 years ago
Hi, I think it looks very nice and healthy..
maybe its a little to big for the pot..maybe a new pot and new soil if you think its a little limp..
I have one too, it looks like a beef steak but it isn't..
it looks a little limp and the pot is small and very little soil I have to give it a new pot...
good luck..linda
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I’m in So California. It has selfsown but they are easily pulled out, and I have left about 10 standing. Thank you everyone for your help. Mary, you found the first reference to anyone having a problem with them wilting! I’m thrilled that you found it! Thank you SO much! Ironically, this was also what Mr. Moses suggested when he thought it was the same plant as Love- Lies-Bleeding. Apparently they both behave the same when cut young. I did send Nancy, at Little River Farm, an email, asking for more details. We’ll see if I get a response, but even that bit of info tells me what was going on. I just KNEW it had to be something! I had already been watering them the night before, cutting them early in the morning, cutting them under water on a slant, and using a sharp blade. Thanks again everyone! Lisa
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hc mcdole
15 years ago
I wouldn't pot it up until it is actively growing again unless the the plant is in serious decline.

Here is a picture of my big one from this summer and Xmas Eve. It has dropped lots of leaves since then but otherwise the rhizomes look plump and healthy.

Xmas Eve
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August
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June showing new leaves
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tntirada
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks for the advice! It's definitely healthy (so far), but it looked weird to me since most of leaves are reaching for the ground rather than the sky. Sounds like I should wait for spring to maybe repot and do some fertilizing. The pot it's in is pretty small!
hc mcdole
15 years ago
If you have to water once a day or more often then it probably won't hurt to repot it since watering can get tedious. I'd start some new plants from it before repotting though for some insurance against total loss.

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