Wax Begonias and Colorful Foliage?

Question

Hi. I just bought some Wax Begonias a little over a week ago. When I bought them, they were a beautiful and full, really full. The flowers were overall at their greatest it seemed, and the leaves were to say the least green. Now that I've brought them home, hung them on the patio, they aren't as lush and pretty. I put MiracleGro in them once a week, watered every other day. I checked the soil and it's certainly moist. We reside in Chicago. Right now, it's humid and hot (85 degrees) for the most part. I don't know what the problem is. Any suggestions for the Begonias? They aren't dead, they just don't look as full and beautiful. The colorful foliage (don't know the name, just saw the plant and my husband bought it)...well, they are just green leaves with fuschia tops on them. Green on the outside and fuschia in the middle. They are certainly drooping. I'm thinking that I should bring that plant in. Help, I don't want to lose my babies!!

Answer 1

the begonias need shade and do not get the leaves wet when u water. The other plant sounds like a coleus that also needs shade, and stop with the fertilizer only once a month .

Answer 2

NO FERTLIZER - YOU MIGHT HAVE BURNED THEM - I CAN'T BELIEVER THAT THEY ARE STILL ALIVE AFTER RECEIVING FERTILIZER ONCE A WEEK.  THEY DO NOT REQUIRE ANY FERTILIZER

Answer 3

Yes I know how you feel, I have two pots of wax begonias and I don't want to lose them.

I don't water them unless they are completely dry, and I don't fertilize at all, Let them dry out and see what happens. Below is part of an article from a site that might be helpful for you.

Wax Leaf Begonia – Plants growing in part shade are going to need less water than those growing in full sun. If there has been no rain for 10 days, the plants usually appreciate some water.

http://gardening.yardener.com/YardenersP...