Because of its thick stems, this Begonia is known as a fibrous Begonia.
But theyre covered in a cotton-like substance that protects them from outside forces. Place the cutting at a 45-degree angle in a fresh pot of peat moss and perlite. But they can get pricey. This is especially true in warmer weather more on that later. When peat moss is unavailable, Ive had success substituting coir or sphagnum moss for it in this blend. Divide the plant by prising the root ball apart from the top, being careful to keep buds on each section. The vibrant colored leaves of a Begonia Rex start to fade and look bleached when it is getting too much direct sun. Spider mites love Begonias as well. Examine your begonia growing environment. Plants are root bound when you can't insert a pencil into a drainage holes on the pot. BBC Gardeners' World Magazine. Another way to prevent pests is to remove dead or dying leaves right away permanently. Don't water the leaves, only the soil to avoid fungal disease issues. Turn the begonia leaf back over and press it into the seed-starting mix. Cut the leaf into wedges to do so lay the leaf flat on your work space. Rex begonias are semi-tropical perennial plants native to Asia, usually grown as house plants. The rex begonia vine can be grown as an indoor plant or as an outdoor plant, though it will not survive cold temperatures outdoors. Its a very satisfying way to keep your begonias dramatic foliage. Divide the vine into smaller pieces, ensuring each has at least two or three leaves. Pruning and pinching will help you concentrate the growth of your plant and make it denser and bushier. Rex begonias can also be propagated by pinning a leaf to the bedding mix and making small incisions in the leaf veins or by inserting a leaf (with a petiole) directly into the soil. Read our. Underwatering is one of the most likely reasons your . I like to take leaf cuttings because its so fascinating to watch a single leaf sprout a whole bunch of babies. Once you see the plant roots coming through the pots drainage holes, its time to re-pot it. Provide 50% humidity. One of our favorite methods for creating high humidity is the pebble tray method. After youve resolved the initial problem, prune your plant from the top-down, removing the leggy parts. According to Cornell University, your Begonia is susceptible to this disease in wet or humid environments. It is also available online, visit our website at spokaneplantfarm.com.For over fifty years, our plants have been locally grown in Spokane Valley, WA. You want to be careful during this process to avoid injuring the plants roots. Male and female flowers are borne separately on the same plant, the male . This is because of []. The water shouldnt flow over the pebbles. Powdery mildew is a pain to get rid of, but its possible with a lot of effort. All rights reserved.
How to Propagate Rex Begonias from Leaf Cuttings | Garden Gate But you should always test a small area of your plant to be on the safe side. Fading leaves on a Begonia rex indicate too much direct sunlight. Thank you! Remove the lower leaves on each cutting, leaving the upper one or two leaves. Remove the begonia from its container and gently tease the roots apart, position it in the pot and backfill around it. If the begonia will be transplanted to an outdoors location, prepare the soil about 7 to 10 to days before planting by adding aged manure or compost and mix into the soil. Amend the medium with a couple of tablespoons of ground limestone to help control humidity. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Propagating Begonia rex. Dry, brittle leaves are a symptom of dry air. If your plant is turning brown, with brittle leaves/dead leaves, it is likely to be one of three causes. Mist the foliage of Rex (foliage) type begonias twice a week or provide high humidity to avoid leaf drop. A leggy begonia appears bare, with an insufficient amount of foliage. Porous soil allows excess water to drain instead of holding onto all that unneeded water. There are several ways to create humidity for any indoor plant. I hang fluorescent lights 6 inches above the cuttings and leave them on about 12 hours each day until the new plants start to grow. You could also put your leaf cuttings in an east window as long as the temperature stays consistently warm. Harrington's specialties include small business information, crafting, decorating and gardening. Begonia rex is toxic to pets such as cats, dogs, and horses, according to ASCPA. It's best to divide the tubers in the early spring, after the buds have begun to swell. Indoor begonias thrive in soil-free mediums. Let the soil dry between waterings and avoid overwatering as it may cause fungal diseases or rot. . It can affect the animals breathing and cause excessive drooling.
Begonia Transplant Guide - How And When To Repot Begonias Rhizomatous varieties, such as the popular begonia rex, are even easier, requiring only a single leaf in water to produce a new addition to your collection. Flip the begonia leaf over and use your knife to make a 12-inch cut across five or six of the main veins. How to Divide Bearded Irises Pin the leaf down so that each cut makes good contact with the seed-starting mix. These resemble pink or red bumps, similar to the growing eyes on potatoes. You can use a pair of sterilized pruning shears to do this. Even though high humidity isnt required, it keeps the plant full, lush, and healthy. This article has been viewed 38,009 times. External Information Resources (NCBI . These begonias have gorgeous flowers with frilly edges. After youve pruned your begonia, it will begin to sprout new leaves. Jon VanZile was a writer for The Spruce covering houseplants and indoor gardening for almost a decade. Keep the temperature setting at about 70 degrees. See those tiny plants unfurling? This article has been viewed 38,009 times. This begonia requires high humidity during the growing period. Begonias for the garden have different cultivation needs so the notes below will help guide you to success. http://www.gardengatemagazine.com/articles/how-to/divide/how-to-propogate-rex-begonias-from-leaf-cuttings/, How to Root Succulents with Leaf Cuttings, How to Propagate Rex Begonias from Leaf Cuttings. If you must use soils in your growing medium for any reason, make sure there is plenty of organic material scattered throughout to allow for proper drainage. Provide 50% humidity. 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. Grow them there until theyre big enough to put in the garden or transplant into more permanent pots. Brush off the excess soil and inspect the rhizome to find the buds. Consider using a grow light if you cant find a good bright spot. These flowers have a slight resemblance to roses. Plant growth is costly and necessitates the use of nutrients. The part that's green is all the way at the top and would defeat the purpose. The humidity levels are too low (but don't mist the plant because rex begonias do not like wet foliage). And make sure your plant is always getting bright but indirect sunlight. The biggest plant disease you want to avoid from over-watering is root rot. Grown for their foliage, the leaves come in shades of green, red, pink and silver. Active Interest Media Holdco, Inc. Copyright 2023. As with other begonias, the rex and other foliage begonias prefer the same humid, gentle environment in which understory ferns thrive. My begonia is so leggy that I wonder if when I cut it I can cut the stems several times to propagate them? Use warm water in a misting bottle. We are compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to on this site. Begonias originated in the tropics and thrive in warm, humid climates. You will want to be looking at the underneath side of the leaf. Let me show you the secret to propagating rex begonias from leaf cuttings. Move your plant to a shadier area. Sometimes called painted-leaf begonias or fancy-leaf begonias, these plants are known for their variegated leaves. This means it wont absorb the fertilizer. How to Divide Bearded Irises. There is a major downside to spritzing the Rex Begonia.
How to Propagate Rex Begonias | Home Guides | SF Gate How to Care for Rex Begonias - The Spruce When used sparingly, this will encourage the growth of those lovely leaves without inspiring them to reach for the stars. Compact grow lights are very common and simple to use and will provide your begonia with the light levels it requires to stay in one place rather than legging it off in search of a brighter day. Because they are not aggressive bloomers, they can tolerate less light than other begonias and will thrive under fluorescent lights. Mealybugs like to feed on the sap from the inside of a plant. Get daily tips & tricks to help make your best home, The 5 'It' Plants of 2021, According to the Pros, 10 Varieties of Begonias for Gardens and Containers, 9 Great Foliage Plants for Container Gardens, How to Grow and Care for Begonia Maculata, 34 Best Plants That Grow in Water Indoors, How to Grow and Care for Black Bat Flower, How to Grow and Care for Persian Silk Trees, Northeastern India, southern China, and Vietnam. Let the soil surface become dry to the touch before watering. Water the begonia transplant and acclimate it in an area out of direct sun. Trim the cutting to just below the next node along for cane or tuberous begonias. Pot in well-draining soil and feed with a balanced fertilizer in the spring and early summer months. Brush fungicide onto each cut surface of the roots to prevent disease. I knew I could propagate the leaves, I. And the Begonia rex isnt the only wonder species out there. It grows about 6 inches tall and wide. The Rex begonia is a rhizomatous plant with stems creeping on the surface. Cultivars which are usually derived from Begonia tuberhybrida are a favourite of gardeners for their bright colours and long flowering season. A leggy begonia, like an adolescent, is one that is rapidly growing. Rex begonias make excellent presents and are easy to divide. Rex begonias do produce delicate flowers but are usually grown for their spectacularly colored and intriguingly textured leaves. Rex begonias grow from a rhizome, which is a root system that sprouts buds and roots to grow into the plant.
Begonia 'Escargot' (Rex Begonia) - Gardenia.net Rex begonias grow from a rhizome, which is a root system that sprouts buds and roots to grow into the plant. Easy Houseplants - Begonias. Begonias are easily propagated at home. You'll notice if the leaves of your lovely rex begonia begin to wilt, which is one of its most common problems. It suffocates the pests within only minutes. Divide a Rex begonia when it begins to outgrow its pot or once the plant is at least three years old if you want to add more begonias to your houseplant collection. But most come with leaves in a pretty pink with blackened edges. How to Water Houseplants
How to Grow and Care for Begonia Rex - Florgeous Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. This plant dislikes cold temperatures. Ingestions may lead to vomiting, kidney failure in grazing animals, and salvation in cats and dogs. I hang fluorescent lights 6 inches above the cuttings and leave them on about 12 hours each day until the new plants start to grow. The best light for rex begonia vine when growing indoors. Its usually an easy process if you know what steps to take. Plus, you want to trap in moisture so itll grow quicker. Active Interest Media Holdco, Inc. Copyright 2023. Dip each piece into hormone rooting powder and shake off the excess. A very well draining potting mix with added sand and perlite.
(Begonia rex Magic Colours) Let me show you the secret to propagating rex begonias from leaf cuttings. Airy, light, fast-draining soil is best for rex begonias. You can test the moisture with your finger. Fill an 8-inch diameter pot with well-draining soil mix. Cut away any shrivelled or soft and rotten sections of the tuber and discard these.
How to divide begonia tubers - Patient Gardener Then, place the vase or glass containing the plant in a light and warm spot to provide the perfect growing conditions. Rex begonias need thorough watering but should not be overwatered. Debra LaGattuta is a gardening expert with three decades of experience in perennial and flowering plants, container gardening, and raised bed vegetable gardening. a Few Hardy Begonias @ Keep in mind youll want to use distilled water for this plant. Cut the germinated tubers longitudinally, each with 1 to 2 buds, and plant in a pot after the incision is dried. I mist mine daily and water the soil once a week. Begonia roots are prone to rot immediately after dividing. Its a great way to get your begonia bushing out instead of legging it upwards. We empower you to efficiently solve each new challenge and make your life better and easier. Follow our step-by-step guide to dividing rex begonias and create the perfect gift for friends and family, while ensuring the continued health of your own plant. Begonia tubers increase in size each year and after three years or so, the flower display will begin to deteriorate. Direct sunlight can cause damage to this plant. Jenny Harrington has been a freelance writer since 2006. Water when the top 1 of soil becomes almost dry about once a week. The most toxic parts of this plant grow underground. Painted-leaf begonia can be propagated in different ways, including: Leaf cuttings; Stem cuttings; Dividing the rhizome; Of the three, the most common is leaf cutting because it requires less work to set up. If you see silver or grey spores on your plant, it has Botrytis Blight disease. Cultivar Selection Begonia rex : Evergreen perennial to 30cm, with large, obliquely ovate leaves which are metallic green with a silvery zone on the upper surface, reddish beneath; panicles of small pink flowers in winter.