I was given an angel wing begonia the summer of '04. i presently have it in my house. When I received it in August it was nearly dead. It made rapid growth on my front porch in the shade. I brought it inside, where it sits on a shelf in low light in a cool room. It has dropped its second leaf today. I wonder if this is typical or does it need something? Lolagard
Angel Wing Begonia
That's pretty typical of all types of begonias in doors...they drop a few leaves until they adjust. You can try two things... put it on a pebble tray for humidity and put it under a grow light. It will do ok in side, but in spring it will love going back outside. They do like winter sunshine and don't mind cool weather but can not take hard frost or snow.
Most begonia cuttings root very easily in water, so if it looks too bad after dropping the leaves, cut it back and root the cuttings in a vse of water, then pot it up for spring.
Enjoy,
MsC
I have tons of angelwings--keep them in filtered light-south window -water when dry and enjoy- mine bloom nearly year round-I sold or traded 65+cuttings this past summer-they do love it outside and really deepen in color -mine sometimes drop leaves during a growing spurt-most are 2-4 ft plants-If I can be of any help-just ask!
Jeanette
Lolagard,
I have had Angel Wings for more years than I can remember. Here's what I do every year.
Yes! They drop a lot of leaves inside. Not to worry! All I want anyway is the ends of the branches. Next summer, when i put them outside, i cut off all the tips (about 8" or so) and root them in water to start a new plant. I put several in the same pot and keep them in part shade.
Then I cut the original plant back to stubs. It will re-grow in a nice, bushy plant by mid summer. Every 2-3 years, I repot the whole thing, discarding any woody, old, or rotten roots.
I have found that they do not bloom as well (or hardly at all) if you cut them back early in the summer. They bloom profusely if you just let them be taller and regrow that way.
Look out for mildew infections on the stems and leaves while indoors. Spraying with a houseplant fungicide stops that. Need to repear, though.
Gitagal
Thank you for your helpful tips. I moved my angel wing to a south-west window area, out of direct sun. I'll see how it does there. It looks great, I just wondered about leaf drop.
I will cut it back later and root the cuttings. I will then have a great shade garedn!!
I have an Angel Begonia that I was given a yr ago as a cutting...
I had it on the patio by the Koi Pond and it did wonderful. Our Southern AZ winters are to cold to keep it outside.....brought it in and put it in my "parlor" has the morning sun and it has been blooming since Christmas. I have given a few cuttings off it to others. Love that Angel!
She's a beauty alright!! I have several blooming right now-wish I could take a picture!!
Jeanette
Is that a swedish ivy in the background. I like them.