This is a common method for dividing hardy begonias. Use as many as you need to hold the leaf flat. How to Propagate Begonias | HGTV Open the containers lid once a week for 10 minutes to let the cuttings breath. Unique to this genus, propagation by leaf cutting can be successful no matter how you cut the leaf because rex begonias have the ability to regenerate completely from any plant part. How to Propagate Rex Begonias from Leaf Cuttings | Garden Gate {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/6b\/IMG_20160613_180020-1.jpg\/460px-IMG_20160613_180020-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/6b\/IMG_20160613_180020-1.jpg\/420px-IMG_20160613_180020-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":613,"bigWidth":420,"bigHeight":560,"licensing":"
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\nLicense: Public Domain<\/a>\n<\/p><\/div>"}, Can LED Lights Grow Plants? How to Propagate Rex Begonias from Leaf Cuttings | Garden Gate Because your begonia cannot afford to produce both stems and leaves, it focuses on stems in the hope of achieving better illumination. Consider using a grow light if you cant find a good bright spot. But doing this can mean accidentally over-watering your plant, which makes using fast-draining soil super important. Harrington's specialties include small business information, crafting, decorating and gardening. Plantophiles.com is a participant in affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to affiliates. have carefully selected these products for their usefulness and quality. Common Issues with Strawberry Begonia. Plus, there will be minimal damage to your plant. Have a lovely tuberous begonia who has been blooming well since August but is leggy now in December. (6 Useful Methods of Use). Spider mites also feed on the sap from your plant. Your plant will get plenty of sun but it wont receive direct sunlight. Pot in well-draining soil and feed with a balanced fertilizer in the spring and early summer months. How to divide rex begonias | Propagating plants, Begonia, Plants Within minutes youll see plant pests popping up deceased. 6. 50%. If the two asexual propagation methods of cutting and branching are adopted, we should pay attention to maintaining high environmental humidity and temperature from 20 to 25 . Ensure it bears at least one leaf node. Deer will eat the former and turn up their noses with the latter. You can use tape to keep the plastic wrap to the cutting. Learn more Rex begonias are striking known as painted-leaf begonias or fancy-leaf begonias because of their stunning leaf coloration. They should always be your last resort because they contain chemicals that can harm the environment. If your plant is turning brown, with brittle leaves/dead leaves, it is likely to be one of three causes. How to Water Houseplants How to split begonias? The vast majority of begonias offered in the trade are hybrids so they cannot be accurately propagated from seed. All you have to do [], Begonia Venosa Care - Guide To Plant Success | Plantophiles, [] you are interested in Begonia, other Begonia to have a look at are Begonia Rex, Begonia Darthvaderiana, Begonia [], Begonia Cucullata Care: Here's What You Need to Know | Plantophiles, [] can also gradually move your Begonia into lower light as time goes on, but keep in mind you will have to adapt it to bright light in the [], Begonia Bipinnatifida Care: Here's What's Important | Plantophiles, [] this Begonia is also very prone to powdery mildew and other fungal and bacterial diseases. Letting the cut sides dry overnight before replanting as well as the use of fungicide helps prevent this. The Rex begonia is a rhizomatous plant with stems creeping on the surface. Moisten the sphagnum with a sprayer, then cover with glass or plastic wrap to keep moisture in. Use warm water in a misting bottle. These resemble pink or red bumps, similar to the growing eyes on potatoes. A Rex Begonia can grow to be 12 to 18 inches in height. . It is perfectly acceptable to lop off the entire top of your leggy begonia. This is because the leaves are covered in calcium oxalate crystals. He is a professional writer whose articles on plants and horticulture have appeared in national and regional newspapers and magazines. If you grow cane or wing begonias, give this technique a try with them, as well! 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. Ultimate Guide to Rex Begonia Plant Care at Home You want to switch out the saturated soil for fresh, moist soil. Jon VanZile was a writer for The Spruce covering houseplants and indoor gardening for almost a decade. How to propagate Begonia | From leaves or cuttings If you see silver or grey spores on your plant, it has Botrytis Blight disease. Then spray your Begonia down with the oil. You should fertilize your winter-blooming plants with a high-phosphorus, water-soluble fertilizer that contains little or no nitrogen. Your plant cannot photosynthesize and produce food if it is not exposed to light. University of Connecticut Home and Garden Information Center. See those tiny plants unfurling? Growth will slow in freezing temperatures and some types of begonias go into a dormant period during the winter due to lack of light. Propagating Begonia rex. Rex begonias make excellent house plants, and are easy to divide so you can gift them to friends. Remove the begonia from its container and gently tease the roots apart, position it in the pot and backfill around it. There are a few plant pests that love the Begonia rex. Make sure you sterilize the pruning shears with isopropyl alcohol. You Might Also Like: A few stones may help keep the begonia leaf from curling up and away from the mix, as well. Place each leaf cutting on the surface of a tray of moist seed raising mix. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. Begonias originated in the tropics and thrive in warm, humid climates. The bright side is if you find an infestation early, its easy to get rid of. We may receive a commission from sales referred by our links; however, we These mites arent actual insects but arachnids instead. long stem cutting from a healthy Begonia Rex. . Other varieties may not require as much vigorous pruning, but even the most delicate begonia will benefit from having its overgrown stalks and stems trimmed back. It can affect the animals breathing and cause excessive drooling. Another method involves spritzing the leaves of your plant now and then. Get the plant pot ready. Is it skewed in one direction? To prevent transplant shock (common with heavy-handed transplants), water the plant 24hrs before the main event. But you should always test a small area of your plant to be on the safe side. This is how you may get more of these wonderful plants for free. 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. Use regular houseplant fertilizer tri-weekly diluted to half-strength. Rhizomatous begonias such as the rex begonia can be easily propagated by. When we say a plant is leggy, we mean that its growth is concentrated in its stems. Rex begonias make excellent presents and are easy to divide. You can purchase this Rooting Powder in our retail store, The Plant Farm located in Spokane Valley, WA. Step 1: Gather your materials for propagating rex begonias. These leaves are arranged in an asymmetrical manner on the stems. On transplant day, dig a hole sufficient to accommodate the begonia's root ball or tubers (in the case of tuberous begonia). The weaker stems lean and nod, and your plant takes up more room in your arrangement. Gather the items on the "Materials & Tools" list above. Keep the seeds in temperatures of between 70 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit until they germinate. An older begonia may become leggy as the leaves on its older stems fall off. Active Interest Media Holdco, Inc. Copyright 2023. Press seeds onto the surface of the medium and cover them lightly with milled sphagnum. Warm spells are unavoidable I personally avoid using air conditioning if possible due to my other, more heat-loving plants but its best to keep your begonia in a cooler part of your home or office. Simply keeping your new dense delight well-watered and well-lit will result in thicker, more luscious growth. The biggest way to prevent plant pests is to examine all new plants before you bring them into your home. This moisture goes straight to your plant since it sits atop the water source. Fertilize your begonia no more than once a month during the growing season for best results. When used sparingly, this will encourage the growth of those lovely leaves without inspiring them to reach for the stars. Dip each piece into hormone rooting powder and shake off the excess. Bright indirect sunlight, and can tolerate direct sunlight too.