debio
Elementary School
Posts: 50
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Post by debio on Dec 5, 2009 15:45:18 GMT -5
So while cooking, cleaning and shopping today I watered my house plants. I have a Rex begonia from almost 2 years ago, one of those whose leaves curl Up like a snail. They're so cool looking. Anyway it perked up a lot this summer in a north window but is now looking a little parched. Should I be misting her or what? The edges of some of the older leaves are getting all brown around the edges just like last winter. I try not to over water. I think I remember reading they don't like to be soggy. I was able to make a new plant from it over the summer by taking an older leaf, cutting slits in the veins, use a little rooting hormone and laying it on potting soil. I covered it in plastic and basically didn't look at it for several weeks and tah da, baby begonia. I gave it to dh's cousin who has a nice eastern exposure porch that is perfect for house plants. Any suggestions? I may have posted about this last spring.... Thanks! Debio
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karen
Kindergardener
Posts: 25
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Post by karen on Dec 5, 2009 15:49:25 GMT -5
When in doubt, I hold the water. I've killed more begonias in the winter from overwatering than anything else, and if you err on the side of drought, it's amazing what they'll recover from. But there's no coming back from rot.
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debio
Elementary School
Posts: 50
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Post by debio on Dec 5, 2009 15:57:12 GMT -5
Hi Karen! I should never sit down. I get distracted quickly! Thanks for the reply, do you have any of those big leafed begonias? I wonder what I can do to keep the rest of the leaves from getting browned. I rarely overwater. I do it once a week, tops and they do well. Especially my african violets. The begonias are new to me. More humidity?
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karen
Kindergardener
Posts: 25
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Post by karen on Dec 5, 2009 16:58:09 GMT -5
I've got lots and lots of begonias, still learning how to please them though. I try to tolerate a little browning in the winter, have always put it down to the indoor dry air torture, but I'm sure I'll learn more this winter in the new greenhouse. I was out there this afternoon figuring out where some of the microclimates are, like the spot where the heater blows over the benches. I think it'll be drier there on the foliage so I'm going to move some of the west coast stuff over.
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jeana
Elementary School
Posts: 76
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Post by jeana on Dec 5, 2009 18:35:28 GMT -5
Rex begonias are native to the floors of rain forests. That means they can tolerate very deep shade and don't like direct sun (though can take some in the more northerly latitude). The floor of rain forests don't get and stay wet and they're very little dirt - a whole lotta decaying stuff. So they like a nice light soil that drains quickly but is still kinda spongy. And it is a tad humid in the rain forests, so yes, they really like humidity. What you're seeing with the brown edges is from low humidity. It won't hurt the plant over the winter, but makes a foliage plant a little unsightly. Next spring, if it needs to be repotted, use regular potting soil and pine fines at a 1:1 ratio. Then you can water every day if you want to without over watering.
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debio
Elementary School
Posts: 50
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Post by debio on Dec 5, 2009 19:33:15 GMT -5
Thanks for the info. I will just tolerate the brown then. I am not a frequent waterer in any season. I've seen what it can do, so I err on the side of dry. I think I have good soil for the Rex then. It seems springy and mossy. How about the kitchen?it is way more humid in there and I have a spot near the window that I have a hanging copper pot! Right by the sink. That might be a proper home for it in the winter.
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debio
Elementary School
Posts: 50
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Post by debio on Dec 5, 2009 20:38:25 GMT -5
Karen, how much fun are you having in that greenhouse?? It is fun to hear about it, makes me feel a bit wistful as there just is not much to do outside beyond string christmas lights. And I did that already. Enjoy! ;D
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karen
Kindergardener
Posts: 25
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Post by karen on Dec 5, 2009 21:40:54 GMT -5
I've been tempted to string lights on the greenhouse. Or maybe I could put them in the greenhouse?
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debio
Elementary School
Posts: 50
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Post by debio on Dec 5, 2009 21:46:01 GMT -5
Oooo, that could be really pretty! And inside would be sooo much warmer and drier. Throw a nice wreath on the door and you have Christmas. Is it warm enough there to have a couple poinsettas outside? I'm not a huge poinsettas fan, but if it is in the right setting, it could be pleasing!
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karen
Kindergardener
Posts: 25
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Post by karen on Dec 5, 2009 22:43:07 GMT -5
No, poinsettias would be very unhappy outdoors here. But I could get one of those big blowup santas. Maybe it would scare the deer away.
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debio
Elementary School
Posts: 50
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Post by debio on Dec 6, 2009 9:05:20 GMT -5
Lol! I was visiting a friend of mine yesterday afternoon and there was a gargantuan Santa just as I was coming back into town. It was welcoming but slightly disturbing. To me, I doubt the deer.
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Post by regality on Dec 6, 2009 13:20:01 GMT -5
Lol! I was visiting a friend of mine yesterday afternoon and there was a gargantuan Santa just as I was coming back into town. It was welcoming but slightly disturbing. To me, I doubt the deer. I don't mind the rigid Santas, but the blowup Santas completely creep me out--particularly when they're not blown up and just lying dead on the ground. Brrrrr......
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debio
Elementary School
Posts: 50
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Post by debio on Dec 6, 2009 13:23:32 GMT -5
Yeah, this was a blow up Santa. It must have been 8 ft tall. Crazy!
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karen
Kindergardener
Posts: 25
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Post by karen on Dec 6, 2009 13:40:07 GMT -5
Now if I could get a blowup Santa to actually blow up, that would probably do the trick. I bet BeeJay could make it happen.
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debio
Elementary School
Posts: 50
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Post by debio on Dec 6, 2009 15:03:03 GMT -5
Hee hee so could my son Greg! With flourish.
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