skip to main content

How do I revive a Rex begonia that lost all of its leaves

9 years ago

I'm trying desperately to save my Capricorn variety that I've had just barely hanging on for about 3 years. It used to grow nice as long as I kept it in a bag. Remove the bag, it wilted. There was some period of time I managed to get it to grow bag free, but it kept drying up on me.

I divided it up and repotted it so I could monitor it better and keep the soil from drying up. So I thought.

I also had it in a show. Anyways a few days later the leaves started collapsing one by one. It's like it dried up from the top. I don't notice signs of mold or rot even. Just the leaves suddenly went limp.The stems feel firm and no sign of serious rot. Just all the leaves went.

Some causes I thought:

Shock of repotting, taking it to and rom the show in cold weather. (the other plants survived as far as I know.) A pathogen?

Is there any hope of saving the stem and getting it to grow new roots and leaves or is this plant a goner? I don't want to lose it because that variety has been really hard to find locally. I don't want to have to order it online if I don't have to.

This post was edited by fieldofflowers on Mon, May 19, 14 at 10:05

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

hc mcdole
9 years ago
What kind of pot is it in? How fast draining is the potting mix? Usually a clay pot with fast draining soil will improve the plight of the regal rex. Repotting might cause a few days of stress but usually they pick back up if you give it enough humidity. Try a plastic lid on top or a baggie and leave it on until it has rooted well. Keep giving it more and more normal house air until it is fully weaned out of the humidity dome.

Do not despair over the leaves collapsing (take the healthy ones off and propagate for insurance) - it is the roots and rhizome that you must make sure are not rotting or drying up - a delicate balance at times trying to revive a plant in decline.
fieldofflowers
Original Author
9 years ago
Just checked the stem/tuber. Mushy and gone. Originally I had the plant in an orchid bark (finer grade)/ African violet/ Perlite type mix. Rather quick draining. Everything was fine if I was able to water the thing daily.

But daily watering does not fit my hectic schedule and also having to do that with over 100 other plants, forget it. I'm going insane.

I tried to mix it in something similar minus the orchid bark and cut back on the perlite. It still dried up even in that mix, so I went to revive it. I likely overwatered it in reviving it. The plant was badly wilted before I watered.

It seems like I am having a huge bout of root and crown rot with my African Violets as well. Perhaps there happened to be some kind of pathogen or contamination with the soil I used. After all some of it was a few months old Schultz type mixes. It seems I have horrible luck with schultz soil mixes. I don't know when I'll learn. It's the only stuff I can find locally and can obtain. That is unless I wish to pay high shipping costs and order online.

Possiblities:

- Overwatering in attempt to rehydrate dried caked soil?
- plant was already dried up beyond saving???
- Not enough aeration in soil mix?
- high salinity in soil mix and hard water causing burn?

- I am beginning to strongly suspect the last one being a problem. I'm noticing a number of plants being girdled by orange stuff even if I don't fertilize. I suspect high mineral content in the city tap water is also harming my plants.

That said: the Begonia is dead.

;( Leaves taken are still limp. Only one is showing life but rot took half of it,

This post was edited by fieldofflowers on Fri, May 23, 14 at 4:50
Related Discussions
Rex Begonia - How to make them happier?
Q
Comments (7)
I use Miracle Gro potting soil and all my begonias did very well this summer despite torrential rains in Sep and Oct (at least a couple of feet of rain). Just make sure the drainage holes don't get clogged. I had one pot out of hundreds that clogged (and this is while I was gone for a week during the monsoon or so it seemed like) and the begonias were looking pretty sad. I hope I saved them (pulled the rhizomes out and put them in a small container with perlite). Perlite/orchid bark is good to add if the soil seems heavy. I have a Canon compact and the flash is fairly easy to turn off. You may not want to if it is too dark in the room unless you turn the ISO to High. Some rexes from this summer shot by the little Canon.
...See More
Tiger Eye Sumac Lost all its Leaves in the Middle of Spring
Q
Comments (4)
Hi There, Thank you for your responses. I don't know how old the plant really is. However, I moved in the house 2 years ago, and I know the previous owners did a major landscaping overhaul in 2004, so if I were to guess, I would guess 6 years old. The odd part is that there is no signs of infection or insect infestation what so ever. The other Sumac that I have is standing tall only 10 feet away. The off shoot that I mentioned earlier, is growing straight from the base of the main trunk, so I doubt that the root is dead...Do you think there is a chance that the leaves will grow back this summer, or next spring?
...See More
My Orange tree lost all of its leaves - can it still be saved?
Q
Comments (7)
Wendy, I'd guess that watering your in-ground tree three times a week could be the cause of the leaf drop. You don't say what part of S. Calif. you live in, but even if it was still 100F(in the shade)in November, and you had planted it on top of a six foot high sand pile... only then might watering that often be normal. Myself, I'm still trying to figure out in-ground citrus tree watering...the advice I've seen ranges from water once a week (except when it rains) to "citrus tree roots like to dry out in between watering". The weather and the type of soil make a big difference in water need. So does the fact that a tree with lots of leaves uses a lot more water than a tree with no leaves. I'd guess that continuing to water three times a week will continue the process of killing the tree. You need to have a way to check the soil for it's moisture content. You can buy inexpensive moisture meters for $10-15. And I've been trying out sticking wooden bamboo skewers into the ground(2-4 inches...the skewers are about 12" long and very cheap at 99cent stores, or supermarkets). Leave one in a few days then pull out and check. You can see how wet the tip is. Check it in a few more days, or a week...and watch how the tip dries as the soil dries. That might keep you from watering too much, if that's what the problem is. And about leaves growing back, remember that citrus trees have growth flushes 3-4 times a year. You might not see anything happening until the next flush. But as long as there's green under the bark, there's hope.
...See More
How do you nurse a hoya back to health that has lost all of its leaves
Q
Comments (5)
Undulata is very sensitive to both under- and over-watering. It also seems to do best in high heat. Mine is on a heat mat 24/7 in a room that never gets below 75F. It is also in a humidity tent, where it seems to be thriving. Every once in awhile, it will drop a leaf, but only the old ones. It did drop a leaf that got pinched between it's pot and mappigera's pot last week, but I suspect that eould be a normal thing! I'd check the roots first. If they seem fine, and no pests are found, place on heat mat in a humidity dome until new growth starts. Keep lightly damp.
...See More
hc mcdole
9 years ago
No idea on what the problem may be. It does sound like that the repotting caused it to go in swift decline. I suspect it was from overwatering. Typically the experts recommend letting it dry out somewhat between watering.

It seems like you should be fertilizing unless your potting mix had slow release added in.

Rexes can be finicky but even if they only last a season or two for a lot of folks does not mean you shouldn't enjoy them when you can. Consider other alternatives to rexes that look like rex but don't have the rex parentage in its line.

Hugh McLaughlin comes to mind - always colorful and hard to beat no matter what the season. Robert Golden is another easy care rex like. Judy Cook is extra large, silvery, and stands up to Miami heat.

Here is one of mine Hugh begonias.

Related Stories

HOUZZ TOURS My Houzz: Reviving a 1902 Row House in Toronto

By Jenn Hannotte / Hannotte Interiors

Bold artwork, a neutral palette and soft furnishings make for a home that's inspiring and relaxing all at once

ARCHITECTURE States of Style: Alabama’s Icons Leave Their Mark

By Bryan Anthony

In the first of a new series, discover the natural beauty, the architectural icons and some of our favorite homes deep in the heart of Dixie

TRADITIONAL HOMES Houzz Tour: Reviving a Half-Finished Farmhouse in New England

By Mitchell Parker

This 1790s foreclosure home was flooded and caved in, but the new homeowners stepped right up to the renovation

TRADITIONAL ARCHITECTURE Roots of Style: Pueblo Revival Architecture Welcomes Modern Life

By Steven Corley Randel, Architect

Centuries-old details of adobe construction still appeal in the desert Southwest, adapted to today's tastes

DECORATING GUIDES Revive Your Room’s Look in Just 5 Steps

By Laura Gaskill

Not in total-makeover mode? Give your space polish and a pulled-together look with this easily doable plan

LIFE 9 Ways to Appreciate Your House Just as It Is

By Laura Gaskill

Look on the bright side — or that soothingly dark corner — to feel genuine gratitude for all the comforts of your home

MATERIALS Mesquite: The Brawny Beauty for All Over the Home

By Karen Peterson

Denser than other hardwoods and sporting beautiful coloration, mesquite makes a fine material for flooring, countertops, furniture and more

REMODELING GUIDES Linoleum, the All-Purpose Flooring Wonder

By Bud Dietrich, AIA

Dashing in a rainbow of colors, able to be cleaned with ease and courteous to budgets everywhere, linoleum is a super choice for floors

HOUZZ TOURS Houzz Tour: Usonian-Inspired Home With All the Wright Moves

By Nora Burba Trulsson

A Chicago couple's weekend retreat fulfills a long-held dream of honoring architect Frank Lloyd Wright

ARCHITECTURE Roots of Style: Where Did Your House Get Its Look?

By Steven Corley Randel, Architect

Explore the role of architectural fashions in current designs through 5 home styles that bridge past and present

Sponsored

Nova Design Build

Custom Premiere Design-Build Contractor | Hilliard, OH

More Discussions

Copper fungicide for powdery mildew on Rex begonias

2

Beefsteak Begonia plant

3