--- title: "hi everyone, i have a polka dot begonia and it’s starting to get a…" description: "hi everyone, i have a polka dot begonia and it’s starting to get a little crispy on the leaves. i’m not sure what’s causing it or how to fix it, it’s under a…" url: "https://getplanta.com/community/lKxUkhzRR_aIJD7o1QvtwQ/Amqy_cYOTMO6F_7w8NMTuA" community: "Pests, diseases and problems" author: "nubbien" published: "2024-11-03T20:17:49.269855Z" language: "en" image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/_lGEFYwqqwTg8tllWKjytOdSwMJb5Z_C3EULux7XhrM/QtOYxGSRR9O6sgrsT5HduA.webp?size=large" --- [Community](https://getplanta.com/community.md) / [Pests, diseases and problems](https://getplanta.com/community/lKxUkhzRR_aIJD7o1QvtwQ.md) # hi everyone, i have a polka dot begonia and it’s starting to get a… _Posted by nubbien on 2024-11-03_ hi everyone, i have a polka dot begonia and it’s starting to get a little crispy on the leaves. i’m not sure what’s causing it or how to fix it, it’s under a grow light on a 6hr cycle, it gets watered based on the planta recommendations and it’s been fertilized once last month. please help! i wanna keep this one alive ![Attachment 1 of 3](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/_lGEFYwqqwTg8tllWKjytOdSwMJb5Z_C3EULux7XhrM/QtOYxGSRR9O6sgrsT5HduA.webp?size=large) ![Attachment 2 of 3](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/_lGEFYwqqwTg8tllWKjytOdSwMJb5Z_C3EULux7XhrM/oY6fznuTQ-m1NY2O13q8PA.webp?size=large) ![Attachment 3 of 3](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/_lGEFYwqqwTg8tllWKjytOdSwMJb5Z_C3EULux7XhrM/VfIrua58Te2A6RZm0tCeoA.webp?size=large) ## 23 comments ### Geno commented on 2024-11-03 Do you have it too close to a heater/AC or drafty window? It could be that. #### nubbien replied on 2024-11-03 it is not near either 😕 ### ArchNouveau commented on 2024-11-03 Maybe it needs a longer light cycle? ### Lynda commented on 2024-11-03 Humidity??? #### nubbien replied on 2024-11-03 how do i check that! #### Lynda replied on 2024-11-04 Check these out, they’re from Amazon and very cheap. I use them with all my plants, so I can easily see what the humidity level is. I also use humidifiers in my rooms to increase humidity. And some plants, that like really high humidity, I set on humidity trays. So there’s several things that you can use to help increase, and, or, monitor your humidity. Good luck! 🤗💚🪴 ![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/ogsS0GJIvWBzx7CvItnCsicGb0YTD2umkWf-CRAbvzU/Xb7jLr5lQUm-Wbyxy2wy7A.webp?size=large) #### Lynda replied on 2024-11-04 Here’s my favorite humidifier. It holds a fairly high volume of water, so I don’t have to refill it as often as some of the others. ![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/ogsS0GJIvWBzx7CvItnCsicGb0YTD2umkWf-CRAbvzU/zp1opC_5RGGeVb8tCfiSzg.webp?size=large) #### Lynda replied on 2024-11-04 This is my favorite tiny humidity monitor, and what it looks like when you use it. I set them in every plant area, so it’s easy to track humidity levels. ![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/ogsS0GJIvWBzx7CvItnCsicGb0YTD2umkWf-CRAbvzU/1LheNmJESyWmCX99mLMXjA.webp?size=large) #### nubbien replied on 2024-11-12 i’m buying one right now! thank you all for the recommendations ### ArchNouveau commented on 2024-11-03 Also, I looked at your plant’s profile and it doesn’t look like you’ve added that you’re using a grow light. This may affect how often planta tells you to water, but I’m not sure. There’s other info missing, like what type of pot and if it has drainage that may also be affecting the schedule. Hope this helps! Also, planta’s schedule is not meant to be gospel, I snooze and water plants early all the time. #### nubbien replied on 2024-11-03 ohh i see i’ll have to fill out the rest of the stuff ### Phil commented on 2024-11-04 Begonias require high humidity. That’s one reason why people have trouble with them. I run a humidifier 24 hours a day for the one corner of my plant area where I keep all the tropicals. Without a humidifier, you will have a constant problem. I try to keep the humidity about 50 to 60 percent. It also helps to keep your tropicals close together. Sorta makes a little higher humidity area. I have several begonias, including a polka dot which I acquired two months ago. They can also be picky about watering time. I let them get to almost dry before I water. That usually syncs with Planta’s recommendation. Good luck. It can be a beautiful plant. #### nubbien replied on 2024-11-12 sounds like i need to get a humidifier! thank you so much ### Phil commented on 2024-11-06 I just was reviewing this thread and wanted mention that spotted begonias like lots of light, bright light. Mine is close to a vertical Barrina grow light about 14 hours a day. I’ve had it about two months I think. ![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/OWAkyZxcZtwxk-v_HG7sG7i-GaZeWOFpvbl_VkIbhkY/bW8ExSbvTeKpU7ifid-nBA.webp?size=large) #### nubbien replied on 2024-11-12 this is beautiful! do you think a 6hr grow light cycle is enough? or should i run it for longer #### Lynda replied on 2024-11-12 I have grow lights on for about 12 hours a day, now… shorter, if we’re going to watch TV, 😉! It really depends upon how much growth I want out of a particular plant, longer light, more growth… It’s up to you and your plant! 🤗💚🪴 #### Lynda replied on 2024-11-12 Phil… I love your grow light! I’m currently using individual grow lights, and one box light, but I have two plant stands with assorted plants, that need more light; I live in Portland, Oregon…😰 I checked out Amazon for the Barrina grow light you talked about; I found several, but I’m not quite sure which one you would recommend. One of these lights is an “Amazon’s choice”, but it is not a Barrina. Would you recommend one of these for my plant stand with nine plants? 🤗💚🪴 ![Attachment 1 of 2](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/ogsS0GJIvWBzx7CvItnCsicGb0YTD2umkWf-CRAbvzU/7BzsmgogTmWMU-pRYjwHYQ.webp?size=large) ![Attachment 2 of 2](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/ogsS0GJIvWBzx7CvItnCsicGb0YTD2umkWf-CRAbvzU/RdesDVupQr2orNVkqAgLoQ.webp?size=large) ### Phil commented on 2024-11-13 I have a few off brands but the brands I use the most are Sansi and Barrina. Most of the other brands are not nearly as bright. Sansi lights are more narrow and focused, while Barrina lights cover a wider swath. I have many Sansi lights. I’m able to focus them on just a few plants while not bothering the plants nearby. The pic is from a couple months ago. My set up is always changing. ![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/OWAkyZxcZtwxk-v_HG7sG7i-GaZeWOFpvbl_VkIbhkY/GpzP45FLSnelkXpUtm-LQQ.webp?size=large) #### Lynda replied on 2024-11-13 Wow! You obviously have some very happy plants! I need to find some additional grow lights for my plant stand which holds about eight or nine plants. Can you recommend a particular vertical grow light that might work with this set up? TIA… 🤗💚🪴 #### Lynda replied on 2024-11-25 Please check out the request I made two weeks ago. If you have time, I’d like your opinion. TIA… 🤗💚🪴 ### Phil commented on 2024-11-25 Amazon search for “Barrina t10 vertical”. I have two of the shorter floor models. And very good price of $40. Both of their floor models are 42 watts. I don’t understand the advantage of the taller one. Maybe for taller plants, but a lot more money. First pic shows one side of my stands with only Sansi lights. The second shows the vertical Barrina lights. ![Attachment 1 of 2](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/OWAkyZxcZtwxk-v_HG7sG7i-GaZeWOFpvbl_VkIbhkY/N7Iak46kQl-CyD7HUPu4Sg.webp?size=large) ![Attachment 2 of 2](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/OWAkyZxcZtwxk-v_HG7sG7i-GaZeWOFpvbl_VkIbhkY/-6-eGVJhThGBcXex8A_tzg.webp?size=large) ### Phil commented on 2024-11-25 This light I like a lot. Fantastic price is hit or miss. I’ve closely watched this for sales and have paid $17 each for three of them and was lucky to get a fourth for less than $14. They look good and are super cheap. May not be as bright as Sansi and Barrina but great little lights so far. They are bright enough to color up my succulents in the living room but they are on about 16 hours a day. ![Attachment 1 of 2](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/OWAkyZxcZtwxk-v_HG7sG7i-GaZeWOFpvbl_VkIbhkY/IGgkjtfVTmqJ0w7PCpkXkA.webp?size=large) ![Attachment 2 of 2](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/OWAkyZxcZtwxk-v_HG7sG7i-GaZeWOFpvbl_VkIbhkY/0xcyXU10RdKfWa6KX6Fgmg.webp?size=large) ### Phil commented on 2024-11-25 Have fun with your endeavor. --- _Source: the Planta community (https://getplanta.com). Reading is open to everyone. To post, comment and like, get the Planta app: https://getplanta.com/download_