What should I do if I over or underwater my Brazilian begonia?
Careful observation of the plant will tell you if you have watering issues. If you overwater your plant you’ll notice: a. The leaves of the plant can appear yellow and are prone to yellow-brown patches at the tips of the leaves. b. If the situation is serious, severe drooping and curling of the leaves may be observed. This is due to the fact that overwatering can cause root rot and the plant is already having a hard time absorbing more water. If your Brazilian begonia is planted indoor, overwatering is all too easy to do with the plant as it cannot tolerate any standing water. The earlier you notice the overwatering the better. If you see standing water or some leaf change, stop watering! Allow the soil to air out over the course of 3-5 days. If you’re noticing signs of root rot, you’ll need to act fast. You’ll have to remove the plant from the pot or ground and then wash off the roots. Remove any dead or decaying roots while trying to keep as much intact as possible. Throw out all the old soil and clean out the pot then add in new soil. If you’re planting in your garden, remove the old soil and replant it in a new location. While overwatering is an issue, so is underwatering. The Brazilian begonia is very sensitive to drought conditions and will quickly decline if they don’t receive consistent watering. Signs of underwatering include: -Curled, pendulous, lifeless leaves; -Some leaves will gradually turn yellow from the bottom; -The edges of the leaves will turn brown. Underwatering tends to be easier to fix than overwatering. Simply increase how often you water the plant. If your plant is drying out quickly, the air might be too dry. Consider increasing the humidity so the soil stays moist for longer. You might also think about moving the plant to a different location if you notice it is getting too much sunlight or the spot is too hot in order to prevent extra evaporation.
How often should I water my Brazilian begonia?
Generally speaking, you should water the plant around once per week during spring. However, compared to spring you should increase the watering frequency during the summer but decrease that in winter. However, the timing might change based on a variety of factors such as humidity, temperature, soil type, and so on. To further determine the appropriate watering frequency for your Brazilian begonia, you should use your finger or Soil Moisture Meter more often to check the soil condition, remember to keep the soil moist but not soggy. Water after the top 1.5-2 inches or so of soil has dried out and build the watering schedule for your Brazilian begonia by continually testing. Potted plants are more prone to being overwatered than their outdoor counterparts since it's easier for the water to become contained. Make sure you use a pot with proper drainage holes and well-draining soil. Make sure there’s no excess water in the plant tray before watering. If your Brazilian begonia is planted in the ground, rain will allow it to grow better. The Brazilian begonia usually needs about 1 inch of rain per week to maintain growth. If rainfall is low, you may need to do additional watering once a week to ensure proper plant growth. Humidity also plays a role in keeping the plants properly watered. Plant can grow in normal room humidity, but it prefers higher humidity if possible - generally around 40 to 60 percent. More humidity means the soil will stay wetter for longer. With indoor plants, you can increase the humidity by placing a small humidifier next to the plant. For outdoor plants, you can mist the plant throughout the day.
How can I water my Brazilian begonia properly?
There are plenty of viable ways to supply your Brazilian begonia with water. If you grow your plant in an indoor pot, for the Brazilian begonia in small pots, you can bring your potted plant to your kitchen sink. Then, use the faucet to add water to the container. By holding the pot in your hands, you should easily notice when the water begins to run through the pot’s drainage holes, at which point you can stop watering. The cold temperature will hurt the plants' root system, so please don't do this during winter or in cold climates. Most of the time, watering via your faucet is permissible for the Brazilian begonia. However, if the local tap water contains a high proportion of fluorine, chlorine or salts, you should consider using rainwater or lake water. Also, since the Brazilian begonia can respond well to overhead watering and watering directly into the soil, you can use a watering can, hose, or just about any tool you’d like to water it. For Brazilian begoniaed in the ground, when there is not enough rain, aim the hose at the root system and open the spout for more than 10 minutes to fully water. Tips: The Brazilian begonia is quite sensitive to the water you use. They are used to soft, acidic water found naturally. If you live in an area with hard water you can use an at-home water filter to remove any minerals and salts. To get rid of chemicals, you can let your tap water sit out for around 24 hours so that they dissipate. You can also purchase filtered water for your plants. Brazilian begonia likes water with 6.5 pH the best. Rainwater is a better choice than tap water, so you can store some rainwater when it's raining for your Brazilian begonia.
When should I water my Brazilian begonia?
Brazilian begonia needs the humid conditions tend to keep the plants moist. They do not dry out completely between waterings. However, if soggy is retained, it will tend to make its root system rotten. So people will always water after the top 1.5-2 inches or so of soil has dried out. The depth of testing is often related to the depth of the soil. When the soil depth is around 5 inches, it is recommended to test about 1.5 inches or so (about one-third of the soil depth), and more for larger pots. If you have a Soil Moisture Meter, then watering becomes easy by inserting the same position and when the soil meter is found to be around 3, then watering can be done. If it is still greater than 3 then you will need to wait a little longer until it dries out. Keeping it this way will allow you to avoid overwatering your plants.
How many hours of sunlight does Brazilian begonia need to grow?
Brazilian begonia requires about 3-6 hours of direct sunlight each day to thrive. However, it also needs some shade during the hottest parts of the day to prevent sun damage. Morning sunlight is ideal for Brazilian begonia, but it can also tolerate some afternoon sun if the temperature is not too hot. To provide the perfect balance of sunlight, try planting Brazilian begonia in an area that gets partial sun, such as under a tree or on the east side of a building.
What will happen if Brazilian begonia doesn’t get enough sunlight?
If Brazilian begonia is exposed to too much direct sunlight, its leaves may turn yellow, dry out, or even burn. You may also notice that the plant wilts or becomes stunted. To prevent sun damage, make sure to give Brazilian begonia some shade during the hottest parts of the day. You can use a shade cloth or plant Brazilian begonia near taller plants that can provide some natural shade.
What will happen if Brazilian begonia gets too much sunlight?
If Brazilian begonia doesn't get enough sunlight, it may grow tall and lanky, with sparse foliage. The leaves may also turn yellow or pale green, indicating that the plant is not producing enough chlorophyll due to lack of sunlight. To remedy this, try moving Brazilian begonia to a sunnier spot, or prune nearby foliage to allow more light to reach the plant.