[garddwr]

Hi everyone

Basically I said I would do my best for an elderley relative whose really old Begonia Houseplants are dying, I didn't promise anything but I really would like to revive them especially the first one. Here are the pics, there are 2 types the first I think is a begonia rex from reading a Carol Klein book and I've been reading up on leaf cuttings and leaf slashing or something, and I dont know if I'm right in saying the second is a tuberous type ? No idea if it is even a begonia-not much to go by only some dying leaves so thats only a guess.

Anyway here they are :









^ there is a tiny bud at the top of the spindly stem here  - gives some hope I suppose


There seems to be some weird yellow/white fungus type stuff which I've never seen before on the surface of the Begonia rex which I've never seen before, I dunno if its just dirt and will be fine once i clear out the compost on the top when repotting it ?



Here's the second one :




So...  I know it's a long shot but here goes :

I would be greatful for any advice:

1) Can you confirm both are begonias as I thought ?
2) What do I do to them ?
3 ) Do you think the leaf cuttings method will work ?
4) Should I give up now ?
5) Repotting ?

Thanks so much as always

G.

[Yorkie]

They do look like begonias, I agree.

I'm not entirely sure about leaf cuttings for the tuberous one, you should be OK with the first one.  I've learnt about propagation but it's some years ago now 

As for repotting, the first one definitely looks as though it's been in that pot a long time, if you look at the encrustation around the top of the compost.  I suspect it's also been left sitting in water for long periods of time if you look at the outside of the pot.

I'd suggest a John Innes #2 compost which has more substance than a standard compost.

[garddwr]

They do look like begonias, I agree.

I'm not entirely sure about leaf cuttings for the tuberous one, you should be OK with the first one.  I've learnt about propagation but it's some years ago now 

As for repotting, the first one definitely looks as though it's been in that pot a long time, if you look at the encrustation around the top of the compost.  I suspect it's also been left sitting in water for long periods of time if you look at the outside of the pot.

I'd suggest a John Innes #2 compost which has more substance than a standard compost.

Thanks so much for that Yorkie

A great starting point for me today :L !

So the stuff around the top of the first pot is just due to over watering rather than a fungus then ?

So I'll try and re pot the first one then and take a few leaf cuttings with it ? Bigger pot, less watering

[Yorkie]

I'd perhaps wait until others confirm this as I'm not a houseplant expert - there is some white mould on the top of the compost too, but I suspect this may also be down to the watering regime.

[robbodaveuk]

I would suggest repotting them all in new compost with a sprinkling of BFB added, put them in a position for full light and don't overwater.

  Robbo.

[garddwr]

I would suggest repotting them all in new compost with a sprinkling of BFB added, put them in a position for full light and don't overwater.

  Robbo.

Thanks Robbo I think repotting is a great idea but the stem on the rex is just loose and brittle on the compost so I'm really nervous about trying to re pott incase its snaps and should I burry the stem so there's only a little bud showing or leave it sitting on top of the compost ?

Thanks

[Casey76]

I'd agree... first thing to do = repot... then take alook at this

http://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/projects/begonia-leaf-cuttings/

Dead easy!

I love begoinas... unfortunately all of my surfaces indoors belong to my cats, so no house plant is safe!