My Begonia Broke Off – Why? What Should I Do?
Begonias may be on the petite side, but these vibrant flowers can pack a colorful punch in and around your home. The begonia can be kept as a houseplant or used to add color to a bed in the shade. There are many kinds of begonia, and some are grown for their leaves that have different colors and patterns.
Others are enjoyed for their ability to add that pop of color to a shaded garden. The majority of begonia plants will thrive in zones 9 through 11, but they are most commonly grown as houseplants or as annuals in the spring months.
Like many plants, when begonias are planted in containers, they have limited growth potential. As houseplants, they’ll rarely exceed 6″ to 12″. When planted outdoors, particularly in the moderate climates that they enjoy, begonias can grow into bushy plants over 5 feet tall.
Generally speaking, there are three types of begonias. Wax begonias, tuberous begonias, and angel wing begonias. It’s essential to keep in mind that begonias can be toxic to pets, so take care when keeping them as indoor plants.
If you have begonias, you know how charming they can be. But what if you notice a broken stalk? Perhaps there are multiple broken sections of your begonia?
The good news is that there are several steps you can take to diagnose your begonia, and potentially keep it from future damage.
My Begonia Broke Off – Common Causes
An Accidental Snap
It could be that someone, or you, accidentally snapped one of the stalks off of your begonia. Begonias are durable plants, but can still be susceptible to damage. If the damaged stalk has just been broken off, you may be in luck. Place the stalk in a glass of water in a sunny spot, or pop it directly into quality soil.
In a few weeks, your begonia should take root. You’ll have a brand new begonia to enjoy.
What We Love About This Solution:
Begonias tend to be very easy to root from cuttings. While an accidental snap can be disheartening, it can be great to seed starting over with a brand new little plant. Who knows, you may start to take cuttings on purpose once you see how easy it is to root them.
Seasonal Changes
It’s normal for begonias grown outdoors to die back every fall and winter. If it’s simply time for the begonia to retreat to survive the colder months, you may start to see yellowing and flopped-over stalks. This isn’t a bad thing, even if it can be unsettling to see your pretty begonias appear to be damaged and dead. You may want to cut back some of the dead foliage and mulch it into the potting soil.
Adding a nutrient-rich mulch around the roots of the plant can also protect it during the winter months.
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If you take care of your begonias during the winter, they will be ready to grow new, healthy leaves in the spring. If you live in a growing zone that tends to be warmer, your begonias may not need much protection. Frost, however, can prove to be damaging. Protect your begonias and enjoy them until the next growing season.
Checking The Moisture Of The Soil
Begonias don’t enjoy overly wet soil. This can prove to be an issue for houseplants. Well-meaning plant caregivers may inadvertently overwater their begonias. This can result in wilting and other damage to the plant. Check on how moist the soil is. If it feels quite moist to the touch, you may need to ease up on the watering frequency. Begonias that always have wet leaves can also be susceptible to disease.
So be sure to water the soil, not the leaves.
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This is an easy fix. We can all get a little bit too enthusiastic when it comes to watering our plants. Learning just how much water begonias need will help to keep them happy, healthy, and thriving.
Identifying Fungal Infections and Disease
Like all plants, begonias are susceptible to certain fungal infections and diseases. As you know now, overwatering can lead to the potential for developing issues or bacterial leaf spot. Decreasing watering will help to get rid of this infection. Powdery mildew could be another problem, but it’s easy to stop by keeping the humidity level of the plants stable.
Various rot issues can become a concern. The best way to fix it is to figure out if it’s rot or fungus, since each needs a different treatment.
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Diseases can infect multiple plants if they are not addressed. By quickly identifying the issues your begonia is facing, you may be able to save the plant and others around it. A healthy garden is definitely going to be a happy garden.
Tips for Begonia Care
As far as requirements go, begonias are quite flexible: While some newer varieties of wax begonias thrive in full shade to full sun, older wax begonias thrive in the shade. Begonias should always receive a regular fertilizer dose to assist with the constant bombardment of blooms they are sure to throw at you, regardless of where you put them.
Finding a suitable balance when it comes to watering begonias is essential for strong plants. The majority of cultivars require regular watering, but not excessive moisture. Therefore, don’t be averse to letting the plants air out a bit in between watering.
Begonia boliviensis types like places with good drainage because they are native to cliff walls.
Begonias typically grow vertically. Look for boliviensis and angel wing varieties, which have a more cascading habit, for containers or hanging baskets.
What Is The Best Solution?
The best solution will depend largely on why your begonia is losing stalks, wilting, or generally not doing well. Quite often, the damage is simply caused by accident or by windy weather. A broken-off stalk is typically so easy to root in water or soil. Don’t panic if your begonia appears to be damaged or unhealthy.
Simply examine it for signs of damage, and take action to get it back to looking its best.