Leaf drop on Begonia maculata

Bel Fiore

What causes sudden leaf drop of young, glossy green leaves on an Angel Wing begonia? An otherwise thriving 6 month old cutting. There's no infestation, the stems are healthy, there's nothing wrong at the bases of the leaves - just a damp little bit that eventually dries off. Utterly bizarre! It's got good light; a large pot; stick-it-in-and-leave-it-BabyBio droppers. Could a new leaflet push out one already established? All the dropped ones, so far, have had tiny leaf spikes sitting directly behind them at the base. I hate hearing that 'floppp', turning around to look knowing another one's gone. Help, before he goes completely bald! Thank you in advance.

wild edges

What's your watering regime at this time of year? I've just had a begonia plant do the same while an identical plant grown from a cutting I took from it earlier in the year is thriving. They're fussy plants in the winter and I think the watering is usually the problem.

Bel Fiore

Thank you for the response Wild Edges. I water it once a week at the moment - no more than 500mls, that seems to keep things moist but not soaking. Some sources say to keep it as dry as possible in winter, some say to water a couple of times a week, feed it, don't feed it! Definitely thinking of swapping him for a dog!

wild edges

I've given my healthy one a top dress of pea gravel which seems to be helping. It slows evaporation from the soil and stops soil splash which could cause fungal rot. They're certainly not the easiest to keep happy though.