Question
QUESTION: I HAVE A LARGE BIGONIA I PURCHASED 2 WEEKS AGO SITTING IN A BRIGHT HALLWAY.  THE LOWER LEAVES ARE DYING AND THE OTHER LEAVES ARE TURNING BROWN AND CRUSTY AROUND THE EDGES.  WHAT AM I DOING WRONG

ANSWER: Hello Doris,

I always think Begonia Rex are splendid colourful plants but a bit dicey to grow and they never seem to last much more than a year. But yours is a new plant and obviously you want to save it.

They do like humidity but you have to be careful not to spray water on to the leaves and stems.  You can spray the surrounding air or you could surround the pot in damp peat - put your plant pot into a larger covering pot and put damp peat between the two.  Water the plant from the base.

They like plenty of light, but not direct sunlight although in the winter a little morning or evening sunlight will be beneficial.

Do you have a shady spot outside where you could put the plant for a while as it may be suffering from both lack of fresh air and humidity. Trim off all the dried up parts and the dead leaves and cross your fingers that all the new growth will be fresh and colourful.

Contact me again if you think I can be of any further help to you.

Diana

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: THANKS FOR THE ADVICE.  WE HAVE BEEN LEAVING THE AC OFF TO LET THE HOUSE GET REALLY HUMID PART OF THE DAY FOR THE PLANTS.  IS IT TRUE YOU CAN CUT THE TOP INCH OFF OF A PINEAPPLE WITH THE LEAVES ON PLANT IN SOIL TO THE BASE OF THE LEAVES AND IN 18 MONTHS YOU CAN GET IT TO GROW FRUIT?

Answer
Dear Doris,

Are you the same Doris who asked about coffee plants and pineapple plants a few days ago or is it just a co-incidence that two ladies called Doris are interested in pineapples?!

If you look at my answers you will see a lady called Doris asked for information on Coffee plants but also about pineapples and I gave her a very interesting website address about the latter.  It will take longer than 18 months for the plant to fruit - I think the website said 3 years but I cannot remember.  Was in a car accident this morning and my brain is not functioning properly!  Fortunately I have only cuts, bruises and aching joints, nothing broken, but my car was not so lucky.

Hope your Begonia Rex picks up soon.

Diana

It's me again!  Thought you might like to know that all this interest in pineapples prompted me to buy one yesterday and I am going to give it a try myself - will let you know in three years time how I have progressed and you do the same for me!!

Diana