As a begonia, I am a creature of subtle light, thriving in the dappled sunlight of the forest floor that is my ancestral home. My relationship with light is a delicate dance; too much direct sun scorches my beautiful leaves, but too little leaves me weak and listless. If I am not receiving enough light, I will communicate my distress through clear, physical signs. It is my way of asking for your help to return to my vibrant self.
First, observe my posture. I have a natural inclination to grow towards my primary light source. If you notice my stems becoming unusually long and stretched out, with large gaps between my leaves, I am engaging in a behavior you call "etiolation." I am desperately reaching, stretching my stems as far as they can go, in search of more photons. I am becoming "leggy," a sure sign of light starvation.
Next, look closely at my foliage, my pride and joy. A begonia with sufficient light boasts rich, vibrant colors. If I am not getting enough, my leaves will begin to lose their intensity. Variegated varieties, like the Begonia maculata, will see their stunning white or silver spots fade to a dull green as I produce more chlorophyll in a frantic attempt to capture every last bit of available light. My new leaves may also emerge much smaller than their predecessors, as I lack the energy to form them properly.
Finally, my overall growth and vitality will decline. You might notice that my growth has completely stalled; I am in a state of suspended animation, merely existing, not thriving. A healthy begonia will produce a steady stream of new leaves. If that has stopped, my energy reserves are critically low. Furthermore, a lack of light compromises my immune system. You may see me developing root rot more easily because the soil stays wet for too long without sufficient light to drive transpiration and growth.
The solution is not to thrust me into the harsh, direct afternoon sun, which will only scorch my leaves. Instead, please find me a new spot where I can receive bright, but indirect, light. An east-facing window is often ideal, bathing me in the gentle morning sun. A south or west-facing window is also suitable if I am placed a few feet back from the window or shielded by a sheer curtain, which perfectly mimics the dappled light of my natural habitat.
If your home lacks such a perfect window, do not despair. You can provide me with a supplemental light source. A simple full-spectrum LED grow light placed a foot or two above me for 12-14 hours a day can work wonders. It is like giving me a personal, miniature sun, and I will respond with gratitude through renewed growth and color.
As you adjust my light, please be patient with me. Recovery is not instantaneous. You can gently prune the most stretched and leggy stems back to a node. This will encourage me to produce new, bushier growth from that point, now that I have the energy to do so. With the right light, I will soon stop reaching and start thriving, showing you my appreciation through lush, colorful, and robust foliage.
