To water propagate your Begonia, all you have to do is partially submerge the stem in water, leaving the leaves sticking out. Plus, you want to trap in moisture so itll grow quicker. It grows 8 inches tall and wide. . Provide 50% humidity. After you've resolved the initial problem, prune your plant from the top-down, removing the leggy parts. Theyre full of chemicals, so its important to test an area of your plant before using it. As with other begonias, the rex and other foliage begonias prefer the same humid, gentle environment in which understory ferns thrive. . Find out to divide your rex begonia house plants, in our step-by-step guide. Provide 50% or more humidity and fertilize every three weeks using a liquid fertilizer diluted to 1/2 strength. Dividing and conquering the fastest-growing genus: Towards a natural sectional classification of the mega-diverse genus Begonia (Begoniaceae). Youll want to use the root division process for the best results. Fill containers with fine-textured potting mix and moisten it. Begonias are easily propagated at home. University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources. Care guide highlights: Known as the painted-leaf begonia, Begonia rex performs quite well in standard potting mix with the addition of peat moss or leafmold for increased acidity, in bright to moderate light with good ventilation and high humidity, higher, in fact, than other begonias. Pruning on a regular basis causes the plant to mature and develop a thicker set of stems. Pot in well-draining soil and feed with a balanced fertilizer in the spring and early summer months. Do begonias winter inside? It grows about 6 inches tall and wide. But the air in the plants environment cant be dry. Begonias originated in the tropics and thrive in warm, humid climates. Avoid nicking or cutting the tuber if you are using a spade. Slightly moist soil is ideal for painted leaf begonias, but excess moisture will cause root rot, so make sure the water drains properly from the pot and you empty the saucer of excess water. So what are you waiting for? Debra LaGattuta is a gardening expert with three decades of experience in perennial and flowering plants, container gardening, and raised bed vegetable gardening. Trimming a cane begonia allows you to remove up to two-thirds of any stem without fear of killing the plant. Then, to keep the cuts in contact with the mix, start pushing T-pins through the leaf into the soil. Press seeds onto the surface of the medium and cover them lightly with milled sphagnum. They should always be your last resort because they contain chemicals that can harm the environment. Cover your container with its dome or plastic wrap. Don't water the leaves, only the soil to avoid fungal disease issues. The cutting should then be placed in a clean pot filled with moistened potting mix. Keep it out of direct sunlight, but in a warm, well-lit spot. Step 3: Cut the rex begonia leaf. Avoid putting a pin through a main leaf vein, or that vein may not root. When the plants are 3 inches tall and have at least two leaves, theyre ready to lift. The leaves on this plant can grow to about 6 inches in width. I like to take leaf cuttings because its so fascinating to watch a single leaf sprout a whole bunch of babies. This plant is only a semi-tropical plant. Place your Rex begonia in either a north or east-facing window to get bright indirect light indoors. Use a pair of sterilized pruning shears to get your leaf cutting. Use a garden fork to dig a healthy wax begonia plant. But most come with leaves in a pretty pink with blackened edges. You can use a mixture of perlite, vermiculite and peat moss, if you prefer. Place this in a warm area of your home, but out of the path of direct sunlight. Begonias grown indoors are especially susceptible to root rot and overwatering. Fill a small pot with moistened seed-starting medium. Divide rex begonia in early spring right before the plant begins growing again. The weaker stems lean and nod, and your plant takes up more room in your arrangement. A systemic fungicide can help. Rex begonias grow from a rhizome, which is a root system that sprouts buds and roots to grow into the plant. http://www.gardengatemagazine.com/articles/how-to/divide/how-to-propogate-rex-begonias-from-leaf-cuttings/?epik=dj0yJnU9X0NGUGk3bDdwbWdZUk16SVNJRVFuczRFUVMxYzdmaDUmcD0wJm49RDgtMjg5UmhGOVN6WlBLNlVNbGsydyZ0PUFBQUFBR0hmWWp3, How to Root Succulents with Leaf Cuttings, How to Propagate Rex Begonias from Leaf Cuttings. They bloom in several colors, including pink, orange, and red. Even though high humidity isnt required, it keeps the plant full, lush, and healthy. Cover your container with its dome or plastic wrap. And some are smooth, some fuzzy. Typically grown for their beautiful leaf markings, most rex begonias have large leaves with intricate swirling patterns in a variety of colours including green, red, purple and silver. Gently tease away some of the soil, and split the horizontal rhizome along with its healthy root systems. Alternatively, you can propagate using water as a medium for Begonias. To fix a leggy begonia, first, determine what is causing the overgrowth and then correct it by increasing light, temperature, or changing the plant's pot. Jenny Harrington has been a freelance writer since 2006. Rex begonias are a special group, because we grow them for their beautiful leaves. To treat this disease, remove all infected leaves on the plant. Gather the items on the "Materials & Tools" list above. How to Divide 45 Favorite Perennials Some Begonias go dormant for the winter and others have no dormant period and continue to grow and flower for the entire winter. Stick to the plan above, and your bundle of twigs will be restored to its verdant glory in no time. This means they steal the hydration and nutrition from the plant. If planting outdoors, do so in May after frosts, but plant anytime indoors. See those tiny plants unfurling? Rex begonias do produce delicate flowers but are usually grown for their spectacularly colored and intriguingly textured leaves. Soil Airy, light, fast-draining soil is best for rex begonias. They thrive on humidity but be careful if misting leaves that they don't stay too wet and encourage powdery mildew. Remove the lower leaves on each cutting, leaving the upper one or two leaves. Use a sharp knife and divide into as many pieces as you like, as long as each piece has at least one bud on it. Begonia propagation is just as easy without it. You can use a pair of sterilized pruning shears to do this. Place the cutting at a 45-degree angle in a fresh pot of peat moss and perlite. But because they propagate so easily, it's a simple matter to keep a steady supply of healthy plants by creating new plants from cuttings. Begonia seeds are tiny and you might mistake them for dust or pollen. Rex begonias make excellent house plants, and are easy to divide so you can gift them to friends. Rex begonias are beautiful and easy to propagate from leaf cuttings. Tuberous and rhizomatous begonias benefit from leaf removal and will reward you with new shoots and more perfectly formed growth. The best way to thicken the stem of your begonia is to simply wait. You need to remove all dead or harmed roots right away. These cuts (and the stem cut) are where the new plantlets will form. Make sure the plant never dries out. Its best to do your pruning in the warmer months when the plant is growing, too. Like many other Begonias, the Begonia rex is susceptible to several plant issues. Keep in mind youll want to use distilled water for this plant. This is how you may get more of these wonderful plants for free. You can care for the leaf-cutting as you do the original Begonia rex. Begonia Rex has tiny seeds that need warmth to germinate. Fill a 4-inch container with commercial potting mixture. 2. Cover the whole cutting and pot with a plastic bag to help maintain the proper moisture levels needed for a begonia. If you give your begonia too much space, it will seize the opportunity and spread as quickly as it can into the new space. Fill the tray with damp potting mix and youre ready for the fun part taking the cuttings! There is an entire group of hybrid begonias that the world knows as Rex Cultorum meaning that they can all trace their . Make sure the medium is evenly moist but not wet or soggy. It drains well while retaining a good amount of moisture, and the slow but steady decomposition of the moss provides a consistent amount of nutrition. The soil for your Begonia should always be moist. You can test the moisture with your finger. This article has been viewed 38,009 times. This plant disease can destroy a plant. The most toxic parts of this plant grow underground. This begonia is rhizomatous, growing from a thick, fleshy rhizome that grows just below the surface of the soil. These strange plant pests are soft-bodied. To do this, you want to cover the leaf-cutting in plastic wrap. Always be careful during this process, you dont want to damage the Rex Begonia plants roots. Sow so the surface of the tuber is right at or right beneath soil level. This will help make it stand up. Youll know you have a mealybug infestation if you see cotton fluff covering your plant. Avoid putting a pin through a main leaf vein, or that vein may not root. But if you place a piece of paper under your plant and shake it, you should see them fall. 2023 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. How long does it take a begonia tuber to How to start a new Virginia creeper from How to propagate and split perennial geraniums, Clemson University Extension: Growing Begonia Indoors. Rather, your plant is balding, which many older gardeners can certainly relate to! Plant with the flat or concave section of the root facing up. Brush off the excess soil and inspect the rhizome to find the buds. After youve pruned your begonia, it will begin to sprout new leaves. Dip each piece into hormone rooting powder and shake off the excess. The roots should be completely covered in soil. Water until it begins dripping from the bottom drainage holes to ensure it is moist throughout. Knowing which Begonia you have can help a lot in having success with bringing the plants indoors for the winter. Begonia tubers increase in size each year and after three years or so, the flower display will begin to deteriorate. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. Tamp down the medium to hold the cutting upright. You have to remove all the infected leaves, so it doesnt spread. Fill the remainder of the container with the potting mix, carefully firming it up around the begonia and being sure not to plant any deeper than it was growing in its nursery pot. Open the containers lid once a week for 10 minutes to let the cuttings breath. With a sharp spade, cut a piece off. Start as many leaves as will fit in your tray or pot without the leaves touching. Let the soil surface become dry to the touch before watering. How to propagate Rex Begonia in water? Grows up to 10-12 in. Begonias are prone to fungal infections, and bleach kills any lurkers. How to Divide 45 Favorite Perennials Keep a Rex Begonia plants soil moist. Is it skewed in one direction? Managine Pests in Gardens: BegoniaBegoniaspp. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Rex begonias are often troubled by powdery mildew and botrytis fungal disease. The Begonia tuberous plant creates beautiful pink flowers. Cut away any shrivelled or soft and rotten sections of the tuber and discard these. All of that summer zeal will end up in the leaves, giving you a display of growth to be proud of. You will need pruning shears (This is the one I use), and I would recommend a jar or bowl of water for larger cuttings more on that later! Easy Houseplants - Begonias. If you grow cane or wing begonias, give this technique a try with them, as well! We may receive a commission from sales referred by our links; however, we University of Connecticut Home and Garden Information Center. She is a Master Gardener and lead gardener in a Plant-A-Row, which is a program that offers thousands of pounds of organically-grown vegetables to local food banks.
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