rex begonia crispy leaves

Rex begonia (Begonia rex-cultorum) is a notoriously high maintenance frost tender perennial commonly grown indoors as a houseplant. If your rex begonia develops crispy brown leaves, its likely a sign that the plant's cultural conditions are less than ideal.

Why are my begonia leaves crispy?

The most common cause of brown leaf edges is that your Begonia is incredibly dry. Your Begonia likes consistent moisture. Do not allow more than the top half of the soil to dry between watering.

Why are my plants leaves crispy?

Lack of moisture – Papery leaves on plants are often caused by leaf scorch. This is a distinct possibility if the crispy, dry appearance shows up on leaf tips first, then progresses to the entire leaf. ... Excessive moisture – Leaf scorch can also be attributed to too much moisture.

How do you revive rex begonia?

One week after transplanting, use a fungicide drench that targets water molds. Some Rex Begonias go dormant during the winter and lose all or most of their leaves. The plant may appear dead when it really isn't.

Do rex begonias like to be misted?

Answer: While rex begonias and many other houseplants prefer high relative humidities, misting is ineffective unless you're prepared to mist the plants several times a day. Also, rex begonias are not fond of water on their foliage.

How do you save a begonia rex Overwatered?

To save overwatered begonia you need to ensure the drainage system of the pot. Assess the extent of damage, if there are root rot signs, cut off the damaged parts. Then repot it into a new pot or disinfected pot using fresh potting mix.

Why is my rex begonia wilting?

If the soil feels dry at least 1 inch below the surface, water your plants more often. Observe the amount of sunlight that falls on the begonias during the day. These plants thrive in partial shade, so too much sun can burn the leaves and cause them to wilt.

How do you tell if Underwatering vs overwatering?

If the soil is wet, it's overwatered - if it's dry, it's underwatered. Browning edges: Another symptom that can go both ways. Determine which by feeling the leaf showing browning: if it feels crispy and light, it is underwatered. If it feels soft and limp, it is overwatered.

What do crispy leaves mean?

Underwatering. Underwatering is one cause of why your houseplants may be exhibiting dry and crispy leaves. Often times, if you let your houseplant's soil get bone dry, especially for extended periods, the lower leaves will typically turn brown and crispy.

Should I cut brown tips off plant?

When you see dead leaves, dormant stems, or brown parts of leaves, cut them away. It's fine to pluck dead leaves or stems with your hands when possible, just don't pull too hard or you may damage the healthy part of your plant. For tougher stems or to remove brown leaf tips and edges, use scissors or pruning shears.

How do you care for rex begonias indoors?

Rex Begonia

General Care.
Sunlight. Moderate to bright indirect light.
Water. Water weekly allowing the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings.
Humidity. Will tolerate dry air but prefer high humidity. ...
Temperature. Average home temperature of 65°F-75°F. ...
Size. ...
Common Problems. ...
Precautions.

How much light does a rex begonia need?

Rex begonias do well in bright indirect light. Some direct sun is okay for short times, especially if it is from an eastern window that has morning sun, which is gentler. For periods of the year where the sun is strongest, or if you live in an area that has strong sun, you will want to avoid too much direct sun.

How can you tell if a plant is getting too much water?

Leaves Turn Brown and Wilt

The biggest difference between the two is that too little water will result in your plant's leaves feeling dry and crispy to the touch while too much water results in soft and limp leaves.

How often should you water Begonia rex?

Try to apply the water only to the soil and keep it off the foliage, which reduces disease problems. If you water early in the day, it gives the foliage time to dry before nightfall. During the winter, when the Rex begonia isn't actively growing, cut back watering to about once every two to three weeks.

Is Begonia rex toxic to cats?

Clinical Signs: Kidney failure (in grazing animals), vomiting, salivation in dogs/cats. Most toxic part is underground.

How long do rex begonias live?

How Long Do Rex Begonias Live? Most begonias will only live 2-3 years, even with stellar care.

Can plants recover from overwatering?

There is never a guarantee that your plant can bounce back from overwatering. ... At this point, you can move your plant back to its original location and resume watering it as normal. It's important to water your plants properly from the start and to make sure they have plenty of drainage.

How do you fix waterlogged soil?

Strategies for Dealing with Water Logged Soils

Plant Cover Crops. Cover crops are an excellent way to use excess water. ...
Go No-Till. A more long term strategy, going no -till improves soil structure to help with drainage. ...
Add Organic Material. ...
Subsoil. ...
Build Raised Beds. ...
A Note About Sand.

Do begonias like a lot of water?

All it requires is a little sun, a little water, and a lot of love. ... If soil is dry to the touch, the plant needs water. If it is wet, it has received too much. Too much water can cause root rot and kill the begonia.

Can you propagate Begonia rex in water?

begonia cutting in water

But making baby begonias can be even easier if you root your cuttings in a glass of clean, fresh water. Baby food jars are the ideal size for this. It's fine to put several cuttings in each jar. Once the roots are about ½” long, the cuttings are ready to transplant.

Do begonias like sun or shade?

Begonias need some sunlight, but they don't do well if that sunlight is harsh and direct. Instead, place them in filtered light, such as beneath high, thin tree canopies. However, as noted below some begonia varieties might tolerate more sun than others.