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katie_d_gw

B. Sophie Cecile- Leaf problems

Katie_D
11 years ago

So I guess this is what you would call a plant rescue =/ I went to get potting soil for my other cane cutting and I came back with this beauty. There's growth all over but there are holes in most of the leaves. Is this just because of water dripping on it? I can post some more in-detail photos. Oh and there's also so English Ivy in the pot also. The pot is without drainage holes. And the dirt seemed fairly packed. I found all of this odd coming from a nursery that is extremely knowledgeable. I was under the impression that Begonias liked fast draining loamy soil.

Comments (9)

  • Katie_D
    Original Author
    11 years ago

    The Sophie Cecile

  • Katie_D
    Original Author
    11 years ago

    Holes

  • Katie_D
    Original Author
    11 years ago

    And one more

  • Woebegonia
    11 years ago

    Looks to me as though there is not enough humidity as the leaves look dry around the edges.I think the light could be too hot or too strong for the location of the plant. It looks healthy otherwise.Yes, begonias need good drainage, if you leave it in that pot be careful with the watering.

  • hc mcdole
    11 years ago

    I'd cut the worst leaves off, pull the entire rootball out and put it in a container with good drainage and probably new potting mix. You can put the new pot back in this bowl for decorative looks. You can drill a hole in the bottom of this bowl as well if you don't want to use a new pot.

    I have a feeling the ivy will eventually take over choking out the begonia. You can cut the tops before that happens though and start them in a new pot. Sophie is an easy begonia to propagate but hard to find anyone who has had it to bloom. I've had one for close to 30 years and I don't remember it ever blooming but the leaves are enough for me.

  • Woebegonia
    11 years ago

    I had one bloom many years ago, it was in an East window with strong light, I took two pictures and sent them on a round robin as so many people find it a shy bloomer. The hybridizer (Kusler) always denied it was a poor bloomer. I wonder how she grew it at her home . . . I think it looks a lot like B . 'Lana', maybe I didn't have the plant I thought I had back then. I've grown it from cuttings a few times since, never had any more blooming.

  • Tiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL
    11 years ago

    I can't tell if the holes were caused by some kind of critter munching, or maybe hail or acorns falling on the plant. Great looking plant, though. I would get rid of the ivy or at least separate the plants. Ivy + inside = spider mites.

  • hc mcdole
    11 years ago

    Woe, Lana is an easy bloomer and smaller than Sophie. The leaves aren't as cut as Sophie either. There are a couple more that look like Sophie but hard to tell them apart - Pagoda and Ina Mae or Ida May or something like that (passalong plant with longer narrower leaves than Sophie).

    It really doesn't matter how the holes got there once they are there - either let them alone or clean them up - won't hurt other than visual annoyance. Often it is mechanical damage from falling debris - not too many insects munch on begonias but they do from time to time.

  • Woebegonia
    11 years ago

    My old{{gwi:440103}} photo of 'Sophie', I never had any more blooms.

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