Care

Can a Einstein Begonia live in water? You bet it can. In fact, growing a E.B in water works just as well as growing one in potting soil. As long as the plant gets water and nutrients, it will do fine. Read on and learn how to grow E.B in water only.

Einstein's Begonia And Water: Growing E.B in Water Vs. Soil

All you need to start growing Einstein's Begonia in water is a healthy E.B vine and a glass container. All-purpose liquid fertilizer is not required but certainly does not hurt. Your container can be clear or colored glass. Clear glass works well for growing a E.B in water and allows you to easily see the roots. However, algae will grow slowly in colored glass, which means you won’t need to scrub the container as often. Cut a length of E.B stem with three or four nodes. Remove the leaves on the lower part of the vine since any leaves left under the water will rot. Fill the container with water. Tap water is fine but if your water is heavily chlorinated, let it sit out for a day or two before you put the stem in the water. This allows the chemicals to evaporate. Add a few drops of liquid fertilizer to the water (All-purpose liquid fertilizer is not required). Check the recommendations on the package to determine the mix, but remember that when it comes to fertilizer, too little is always better than too much. Place the E.B stem in the water and be sure most of the roots are always under water. That’s really all there is to growing a Einstein Begonia in water only.

Caring for Einstein's Begonia In Water

Place the clipping in bright, indirect light. E.B loves direct light however depending on the UV protection of your glass windows and doors the light could potentially singe the leaves. Too much intense sunlight can stunt growth or cause the leaves to turn red or yellow. Replace the water in the container every two to three weeks, or whenever the water looks brackish. Scrub the container with a cloth or old toothbrush to remove any algae.

Caring for Einstein's Begonia in Soil

E.B loves a soil mixture including peat moss and perlite or vermiculite. E.B soil should be loose, well-draining, and defying compaction. A premium mix of one part loam, one part peat moss, and one part perlite is optimum for container growing, enabling the pot to hold just enough water and oxygen. Einstein Begonias LOVE water and therefore are impossible to overwater. Water as much as you like!!

How much sun is TOO much sun?

If your leaves have started to wilt, fear not!! First give the leaf a gentle tug, if it comes off right away the job is done. If it does not come off simply trim the leaf with disinfected scissor or trimmer removing the wilted portion and move the plant a few inches away from the window / light source. Trimming the brown or wilted section of those leaves allows the remaining healthy part of the plant to receive more nutrients and improves the plant's appearance.