Anyone know how to care for a Gryphon Begonia?
got it a few weeks ago and it's now starting to wilt :(

Before


But now it's wilting

Decrease watering so the begonias' soil dries out between watering sessions. Water it again when the surface of the soil feels almost dry. The key is to keep the soil damp but never wet for very long. Don't be in a hurry to move it up to a larger pot.

I purchased on of these on clearance for .99!! I love it & it's super happy where I have it. East window with blinds so no direct sunlight & I only water it once a week just enough so the water runs through the pot a bit. If the soil is still damp, I wait until she droops ever so slightly. She's giving me new babies too!

Your Begonia looks fine. Try to water it thoroughly just BEFORE it starts to wilt. Don't repot it or disturb the roots.

WillC said:Your Begonia looks fine. Try to water it thoroughly just BEFORE it starts to wilt. Don't repot it or disturb the roots.

Are they finicky with repotting?

Yes. Most plants do not like their root systems disturbed. The roots are a plant's nervous system, circulatory system and digestive system all rolled into one so they have to be handled very carefully and knowledgeably. Roots are best left alone unless necessary after all other options have been ruled out.

Most plants also do best when maintained in a moderately potbound condition. Unnecessary repotting into a larger pot often leads to root rot. In addition, repotting is often done incorrectly when too much soil is removed and improper new soil is used.

Thank you Will! I always try to disturb the roots as little as possible. It's been a few years since I've had begonias in the house. And it's been decades since I've worked in greenhouses - my memory isn't as great as it used to be. 😁

, appreciate the help guys.

Hi I have this begonia and it's facing west
facing sun in my bathroom and it's thriving . It use to face my Southern window but it grew too big. I transported it. Im on my third year with it and right around now I live in Philadelphia Pennsylvania it starts to send out flowers. When mine starts to wilt the leaves it means it's thirsty but of course I have it in a small pot it's very big and it's in the Sun so it probably has more demand and needs for water. The underside has a red hue especially noticeable in the sun. The long rhinestones and it stems all growing ambitiously towards the sun. I got the plant 3 years ago from my friend who owns a business & his window box it was only about 6 in n dying. I had no idea what it was until this year when I was able to Google search lens the leaf. I love it and about to transplant to a larger pot carefully. It wilts frequently and gets watered alot so think it's time.

FYI, 2.5 yr old thread.

@spell007 Welcome!


I just ordered this from PW this past summer and it was sent to me in a small pot w most of the tops cut off for shipping. I repotted it and kept it outside for the summer and it grew like crazy. I brought it inside for the winter and it is in my living room where I have a 9ft long window that faces south, it is across the room and gets indirect light. So far it is doing well, but my individual leaves are no where as big as yours. I wonder if thinning out the leaves and only leaving a few will make them get larger? I love the coloring too on the underside of the leaves. I had a few years back that I purchases at Lowes, named "Pegasus" and I understand that they are the same plant.