Hi all,
I have 11 different rexes, most of them new within the last year, but a few that I've had for awhile. I decided that they would look nice in a collection, so I repotted them all into the same kind of pots. Most of them were potted up to bigger pots. In a few weeks, the majority of them started dropping the new growth, so I attributed it to the shock, bad choice of potting soil, or maybe overwatering when I repotted. After a few months, things didn't seem to improve, so I potted them all back down a size (in Pro-mix). They seem to be stable now, but not spectacular.
My question is - are they better off being slightly potbound? I have read that the colors aren't as brilliant and the leaves don't get as big if they are. I have also heard that they like shallow pots, but I haven't been able to find anything but the standard pots.
Thanks for any help.
Cindy
Rex begonia potting question
Here is a link that might help. They have some rex answers.
http://members.aol.com/Btbegonia/index.html
Cindy,
Your own experience with repotting is convicing evidence that repotting leads to problems more often than not. You have correctly concluded that poor soil choice and excess soil lead to inadvertant overwatering. This is the single most common of all plant problems.
Nearly all plants, and especially flowering plants do best when the entire rootball is 80% roots and 20% soil. That means they are quite potbound. When plants are that potbound, then they often need regular fertilizing to supply adequate nutrients. If they lack nutrients, that will affect flower color and size.
I have written an article on repotting that I will send to anyone who requests it at wcreed@erols.com
Cindy-If youd like to get rid of some leaves off your begonia-id luv to have one of each-im going to try to start some from leaf cuttings.
That was a great link Deanne-ty.
dori
Dori,
I'm not sure how well unrooted cuttings would mail - I never mailed just the leaves before and they are pretty fragile once cut. I'll e-mail you.
Cindy
cindy,
i had some leaves-lotz fall off my escargo-so i stuck them in root compound and i can see some roots starting!!! Im new at his so this makes me very happy!
dori
Congrats Dori! You have a better success rate than I do - lately I can only get 1 out of 10 to root and I've been trying for 15 years. It has become my mission to be more successful at this.
Cindy