From my perspective as a begonia, my relationship with water is complex. My roots are not just anchors; they are my lungs. They need both water and air to function. When you pour water into my pot, it should displace the air. If the water never leaves, my roots are essentially suffocating. They begin to rot, turning from firm, white, healthy structures into a mushy, brown, and useless mess. This rot prevents me from absorbing any water or nutrients at all, leading to my yellowing leaves and eventual collapse. My plea is not for constant moisture, but for a cycle. I need a good, deep drink, and then I need time to breathe.
You cannot simply water me every Tuesday and expect me to thrive. My water needs are influenced by many factors that change constantly. The season is a major one. In the spring and summer, when the sun is strong and I am actively growing and flowering, I am a much thirstier plant. In the autumn and winter, my growth slows dramatically, and I need far less water. The environment inside your home also dictates my needs. A warm, sunny spot will dry out my soil much faster than a cool, shady one. A breezy room increases evaporation. The size of my pot and the type of soil I'm in are also critical. A small pot dries out faster than a large one. A dense, moisture-retentive soil mix holds water for a long time, while a loose, chunky, well-aerated mix (which I prefer) drains quickly and needs more frequent attention.
Forget the calendar. The most reliable way to know if I need water is to check the soil itself. This is me communicating with you. Please push your finger about an inch or two into the soil near my base. What does it feel like? If the soil feels damp, cool, or if any sticks to your finger, I am perfectly content. Please do not water me. If the soil feels mostly dry, crumbly, and your finger comes out clean, that is my signal. I am ready for a drink. For a more precise measurement, especially in a deeper pot, you could use a wooden chopstick. Insert it into the soil, leave it for a minute, and pull it out. If it comes out with damp soil stuck to it, wait. If it comes out clean and dry, it's time to water.
When my soil is dry, please water me thoroughly and thoughtfully. A light sprinkle on the surface only encourages my roots to stay shallow, making me weaker. Instead, pour water evenly over the soil surface until you see it begin to run freely out of the drainage holes at the bottom of my pot. This ensures that the entire root ball has been saturated. Allow all the excess water to drain away completely. Never, ever let me sit in a saucer full of water. This creates that dreaded waterlogged environment that drowns my roots. Empty the saucer after about fifteen minutes. This cycle of a deep soak followed by complete drainage is the perfect hydration method for me.
