Never Give up on That Begonia!

by The Garden Frog with C Renee

I had this Angel Wing Begonia for several years (for about 8-9 years) and it was big and beautiful until early this spring it suddenly lost all of its beautiful leaves! I was heart sick but the stem was still 'hard' and a little voice told me "do not throw it away". So took the I put the pot out in my potting area and forgot about it for a few weeks.
I never "throw out" a plant until I know it is really dead. It drives my hubby crazy and this is why I have a potting area and plant nursery in the back area of the yard where I can save and grow my 'babies' without taking up space in the yard, house, or garage. I have found that sometimes plants just need to rest. Begonias are classified as an annual in most zones and really not considered a house plant for many so my thoughts are that it was just tired.
I enjoy plants for many years-overwintering a few things that I can safely tuck away on my wrought iron shelf in front of the South window or in the garage in front of the garage door windows. I can only save so many plants and have promised my family that I would not bring my 'obsession for plants' inside to 'invade' our living space. It is hard deciding to watch a plant freeze but sometimes you just got to let go...
One day I hope to have a bigger yard and a greenhouse but until that day I have very large potting area and a little bit of room in the garage from December-March. Carving out a piece of the back yard, if you can, for a potting area and plant nursery is the best thing any gardener can do. Gardening is the best therapy and watching a plant sprout from a seed, shoot up, and flower is pure joy and happiness.
Happy gardening everyone and do not give up on that plant!

never give up on that begonia, flowers, gardening

This looks like a dead plant just sitting in the pot-but never assume because you can get surprised! This sat out in the potting area-neglected- for at least 6 weeks and the temps were still in 30s at night. I tucked it away under the potting bench to use the pot later-so I thought.

5/ 21/14 I was working in the potting area potting up plants and realized I needed another plant so I reached for this pot hidden under the potting bench and was about to empty it into the compost bin when I saw the bright red spot and new what it was! The stem was still fairly hard and at that moment I was a very happy gardener.

6/14/14 There are new leaves emerging. The largest one has been growing for a couple weeks now. I cannot wait for it to be full again! I have been searching through hundreds of photos because I thought I had a picture of it in all its beauty. But I guess I will have to wait and post what she looks like in a month or two.

Enjoyed the project?

You can do it! Saved to your projects

Frequently asked questions

Have a question about this project?

Ask a Question

Comments

Join the conversation

3 of 4 comments

Jeanette S on Jun 16, 2014
This has been the strangest year! Some of my things are groaning as they fight to grow! I think it was the intense cold we had! Keep us posted!

2 Reply
- The Garden Frog with C Renee on Jun 16, 2014
  I agree. Some plants are just not performing as they should but they made it through the winter so I am happy.
  
  Like
Connie B on Oct 08, 2014
I've done basically the same thing with plants before and practically break out in a happy dance in my potting area....thankfully out of sight of the neighbors. Your story made me feel so "normal"! Thank you.....

1 Reply