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nearly killed begonia
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Posted by plantcatherine NY (My Page) on Wed, Jul 26, 06 at 11:23
| I have a begonia richardsiana that has been healthy and pretty low maintenance for nearly a year. Sadly, that has all changed recently. I went on vacation, and a friend who offered to water the plant did not come through. The plant went nine days without water, and when I came back, it was extremely droopy. I have been watering it as normal for the past week and a half (basically whenever the soil seems dry), and it still looks the same. Basically, the leaves are alive, but slowly dying off, and the stalks look like celery that has been in the fridge for about a month. The main stem still feels fairly firm when squeezed.
The plant is still hanging on, but I was wondering whether there was anything I can do make it perkier. Should I trim off the droopy stalks (keeping in mind that there is not any other real growth other than the droopy stalks)? Should I let it be and hope for the best? Or should I just figure that it is time to have a quiet funeral for my plant?
Thank you for the advice! |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: nearly killed begonia
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| How long has it been since you repotted? Sometimes the potting mix breaks down and either doesn't drain well or doesn't have any nutrients left--or both--and the plant suffers. Do you fertilize? I think it's helpful to remember--at least it is for me!--that in nature most begonias grow in the leaf litter under trees, and this is constantly being renewed. It's also very loose and free draining. |
Another thought--
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| It might be a good idea to cut it back some, and for insurance or just for more plants root the cuttings in case 'mamma' doesn't make it. She probably will--begonias are pretty tough--but insurance is always a good idea. They make good gifts too! That's what got me hooked on begonias in the first place--rooting cuttings and giving them to just about everyone who didn't run screaming. |
RE: nearly killed begonia
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| Thank you so much for the advice. I think it's probably best to cut away the branches. I kind of had a feeling that was best, but I am always afraid that if I totally cut away the leaves, the plant will have no more leaves left for photosynthesis. Realistically, though, these branches are just slowly dying off (I'll still turning them into cuttings, but I'm not so optimistic!). I also tried fertilizing it today. I tend to fertilize somewhat sporadically because I have several plants (including a gardenia) that all like different fertilizers, so sometimes I am too lazy to pamper each one. I'll try repotting in a couple of days, maybe. I don't want to give the poor plant too many shocks all at once! Thanks again! |
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