We have a baronial plant that I started as a slip from a larger plant. Has thrived fo at least 5 years and is about 10 feet tall. It has started losi...
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Bagonia #796801
Asked June 20, 2022, 12:03 PM EDT
We have a baronial plant that I started as a slip from a larger plant. Has thrived fo at least 5 years and is about 10 feet tall. It has started losing its leaves now. The leaves look healthy when they drop, but it almost looks like they are cut or chewed off at the stem. Is it old age or might there be an insect or disease causing this. The plant itself looks healthy as can be. Thanks!
Cass CountyMinnesota
Expert Response
This is called an angel wing begonia. It is a "cane" begonia and very easy to propagate.
Normally, they do not get this tall as people cut them back as they get lankly. Cutting them back will cause the plant to produce leaves at the points where the cuts are made. This creates a bushier, more compact plant. The cuttings can be rooted and planted.
Based on the information and your pictures, I believe your plant is losing leaves due to its inability to support such long stems. I'm guessing you also haven't transplanted it for a very long time, so the soil is probably pretty depleted of organic matter and the plant is likely pot bound.
Cut back the whole plant to about 12" tall and repot your plant. This may seem drastic - your plant will look like just a group of stems - but your plant will grow new stems and leaves. Take this opportunity to repot the plant into a slightly larger clay or ceramic pot in new potting soil. Don't use garden soil or old potting soil. Garden soil has too much clay and old potting soil lacks organic matter and nutrients.
You can take the stems you cut off and root them for new plants. Here's a video I found that explains the process:
