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Double Begonias rotted at stem

joaneebaloneejoaneebalonee Posts: 4
in Problem solving

imagei have barely watered these flowers, but the last time I did, nearly a week ago, was the last time it was warm on the porch. The soil still hasn't dried out in a week because we've been having cool wind for days now.

I put them in the sun yesterday and it dried them out a little, but today was all grey and cool and rainy. They still aren't dry.

They've come out of the soil with rotted brown stalks in large bunches, despite the flowers looking beautiful up top. Can I cut off the brown on the stalks and try to propagate these stems in a litttle water? Or is that not the way to do it? are they goners?'

Posts

  • BobFlannigonBobFlannigon Posts: 619

    It makes no sense that the stalk would have rotted but the flowers are still great, are you sure the stalk hasn't just gone a bit woody?

    You should be able to root begonias easily in water but if they're flowering well is there much point?  Do you keep them over winter?

  • joaneebaloneejoaneebalonee Posts: 4

    The stalks were brown and mushy and separated from the roots. But the flowers had buds and beautiful blossoms  I honestly don't understand it either, that's why I'm asking for help. These weren't kept over winter, they're fresh from a garden center, purchased on June 23rd. 

  • BobFlannigonBobFlannigon Posts: 619

    It sounds like they won't survive unless you do something.  I'd remove any flowers and make a nice clean cut on the stem, remove the bottom couple of leaves if appropriate and pop them in some water, then cross your fingers.

  • joaneebaloneejoaneebalonee Posts: 4

    imageSome more came out today. That's what they all looked like, flowering but rot. I will do as you said and try to save them. 

  • hogweedhogweed Posts: 4,053

    They've not been got at by a slug or snail have they?

    'Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement' - Helen Keller
  • joaneebaloneejoaneebalonee Posts: 4

    I don't think so. Some of the ones I stripped and put in water yesterday rotted in the water and developed a fine white mold with web-like matter on their base near the water. Could this be a bad bag of soil?

  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190

    They're either overwatered or you have vine weevil, tip the compost out of the pot and check.

    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

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