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Hey y’all, I feel like I can’t figure this iron cross begonia out at… | Anything about plants | Planta community

Blute

Hey y’all, I feel like I can’t figure this iron cross begonia out at all. Any tips would be appreciated. I just watered it so that’s why the soil is very wet/draining in the little cup.

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5 likes 8 comments

8 comments

  1. Ray L

    A common issue is low humidity. They get crispy pretty easily. You can try growing it packed close to other plants or some folks will grow them in ikea cabinets or some type of enclosure to keep the humidity high.

    2 likes
    • Blute

      Oh I bet that’s what it is! Thank you!

      1 like
    • John H.

      Would putting a plastic dome over the plant help humidity levels?

      1 like
    • Blute

      Great idea, thanks!

      0 likes
  2. Ray L

    Yeah for sure that works too

    1 like
  3. B-Angie-B 2024

    Hi! I use AI for my plant questions. If you're interested, I uploaded your 3 images and got this back: This plant appears to be a **Begonia**, likely of the **Begonia Rex** variety, known for its fuzzy, textured leaves. From the images, it looks like the plant is suffering from a combination of overwatering and potential fungal or rot issues, as seen from the wilted and decaying leaves. Here are some steps to help it recover and thrive: 1. **Prune Affected Leaves**: - Remove any wilted, brown, or dead leaves to prevent further spread of disease or decay. Use clean scissors to make clean cuts at the base of the stem. 2. **Check Watering Routine**: - Begonias like their soil to be slightly moist but not waterlogged. Overwatering can cause root rot. Water only when the top inch of the soil feels dry to the touch. - Ensure that the pot has proper drainage to prevent water from sitting at the bottom. 3. **Improve Air Circulation**: - Place the plant in a well-ventilated area to reduce humidity around the leaves, which can help prevent fungal growth. 4. **Repot if Necessary**: - If the plant is in a pot without adequate drainage or if the soil has become too compacted and soggy, consider repotting it into fresh, well-draining potting mix. A mix designed for houseplants with added perlite for aeration can work well. 5. **Monitor Light Levels**: - Begonias prefer bright, indirect light. Too much direct sunlight can cause the leaves to scorch, while too little light can make the plant weak and leggy. Keep it in a spot where it gets plenty of filtered light. 6. **Inspect for Pests**: - Check the leaves for any signs of pests like aphids or spider mites, which can weaken the plant. If pests are present, treat the plant with insecticidal soap or neem oil. By following these steps and ensuring the plant is in the right conditions, your friend should see improvement in the Begonia's health over time.

    2 likes
  4. Ray L

    Chat gpt is really cool for learning common issues with plants but notoriously not so great with identifying what's actually wrong with your particular plant. It doesn't have the context it needs for your individual plant. The issue with begonia rexs is that they don't like the heat. They lose too much moisture by perspiration through their leaves. You counteract this by increasing humidity, which slows down the amount of water they lose. Fungal issues are for sure a thing with them so you wanna be sure not to water them over the leaf but rather directly to the soil.

    1 like
    • Blute

      Yeah I think you had it right! Because I recently repotted him and didn’t notice any issues, and that’s the one thing I haven’t been taking into account, creating good humidity. So I will definitely try it and see how it goes 🌱

      1 like