How to propagate Begonia Rex from stem cuttings Take 4-6 in. Begonias easily form new roots in water, and some indoor plant enthusiasts simply replant the rooted cutting with the parent plant, resulting in dense arrangements that give the appearance of a larger, thriving begonia. Then, to keep the cuts in contact with the mix, start pushing T-pins through the leaf into the soil. Then you can use the mix to spray down your plant. Humidifiers allow you to adjust the humidity as needed. 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. With a sharp spade, cut a piece off. Stand the stem into the bottle, and keep foliage above water or on top of the bottle. It can be challenging to find just the right conditions for rex begonia to display its best leaf color. The petiole is the stalk that attaches the leaf blade to the plant stem. Turn the begonia leaf back over and press it into the seed-starting mix. Begonia tubers increase in size each year and after three years or so, the flower display will begin to deteriorate. Rex begonias are beautiful and easy to propagate from leaf cuttings. Underwatering is one of the most likely reasons your . A brief period of unusual warmth will inspire your begonia to make the most of the summery conditions, resulting in a leggy plant. Use a well-draining soil mix to care for Begonia rex and provide bright indirect light. Its best to do your pruning in the warmer months when the plant is growing, too. If you see silver or grey spores on your plant, it has Botrytis Blight disease. Divide rhizomatous begonias in spring, ensuring that each portion of the rhizome bears one or more growing points. They can take up to 6 weeks to emerge, so be patient. To do this, simply cut a 4-6 inch section from a healthy stem and remove the lower leaves. After you've resolved the initial problem, prune your plant from the top-down, removing the leggy parts. Po each piece into individual pots of new compost, making sure each portion of rootball is planted at the same depth it was originally. Make sure the plant never dries out. Within minutes youll see plant pests popping up deceased. #begoniarex #waterpropagation Its much easier to propagate begonias from leaves, and you can do this with most kinds of begonias.To make babies from leaf, start by snipping a few healthy leaves from your favorite begonia. 1. And the Begonia rex isnt the only wonder species out there. This is because the leaves are covered in calcium oxalate crystals. It contains soluble calcium oxalates. Rex begonias need thorough watering but should not be overwatered. By dividing/propagating plants you can continue to enjoy them throughout the years. Find out how, in our step-by-step guide. In most cases, it is easiest to divide a perennial plant by first digging and lifting the entire 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. Its easy to do, especially when keeping the soil moist. High humidity isnt necessary for a Rex begonia. The original Rex Begonia had dark leaves with wonderful silver designs. This Begonia species have leaves with a fun fuzzy feel. Soil Airy, light, fast-draining soil is best for rex begonias. Fertilise every two weeks with a liquid houseplant fertiliser. When the plants are 3 inches tall and have at least two leaves, theyre ready to lift. A temperature between 65-75F (18-24C) is ideal. Well walk you through both methods step-by-step down below. Appearance. Published: Wednesday, 26 August, 2020 at 3:06 pm. We are compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to on this site. And make sure your plant is always getting bright but indirect sunlight. . 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. Porous soil allows excess water to drain instead of holding onto all that unneeded water. You'll notice if the leaves of your lovely rex begonia begin to wilt, which is one of its most common problems. On transplant day, dig a hole sufficient to accommodate the begonia's root ball or tubers (in the case of tuberous begonia). Maintain the soil moist until new growth emerges. wikiHow is a wiki, similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. The leaves on this plant can grow to about 6 inches in width. These cuts (and the stem cut) are where the new plantlets will form. They should always be your last resort because they contain chemicals that can harm the environment. Your plant will get plenty of sun but it wont receive direct sunlight. Begonia rex plants can quickly get mildew or fungal diseases. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful home and garden ever. Fibrous rooted and rhizomatous begonias do not die back once a year like tuberous begonias. If you grow cane or wing begonias, give this technique a try with them, as well! The seeds . How to Get Rid of Fruit Flies in Plants 5 Proven Ways! Gather the items on the "Materials & Tools" list above. Like many other Begonias, the Begonia rex is susceptible to several plant issues. You can purchase this Rooting Powder in our retail store, The Plant Farm located in Spokane Valley, WA. 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! Place in a brightly lit, 60 to 70 degree F room and keep the soil moist but not soggy. Rex begonia can be difficult to grow because of its need for high humidity. Learn how from The Urban Gardener, Alan Creach of Creach Greenhouse and The Plant Farm.In this video, Alan refers to root tone, which is the same type of product as Bonide Rooting Power, which is what we currently use and recommend at The Plant Farm. Plant growth is costly and necessitates the use of nutrients. These cuts (and the stem cut) are where the new plantlets will form. Provide 50% humidity. tall and wide (25-30 cm). Fill containers with fine-textured potting mix and moisten it. Find a rex begonia leaf you want to propagate and cut it off the plant. 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. Water the begonia transplant and acclimate it in an area out of direct sun. For a previously leggy plant, a good all-purpose balanced liquid fertilizer is ideal. Flip the begonia leaf over and make a -inch cut across five or six of the largest veins with your knife. Make sure the medium is evenly moist but not wet or soggy. Male and female flowers are borne separately on the same plant, the male . Then, to keep the cuts in contact with the mix, start pushing T-pins through the leaf into the soil. Make sure you sterilize the pruning shears with isopropyl alcohol. University of Connecticut Home and Garden Information Center. You Might Also Like: Rex begonias can be bought at the following online retailers: Logees, Amazon and Etsy, and many other online and offline shops. Theyre perfect for the pastel plant lover. Brush fungicide onto each cut surface of the roots to prevent disease. A Begonia rex fools many plant lovers with dry leaves. Keep a Rex Begonia plants soil moist. In no time you should start to see new growth springing up from the site of the old, woody stems. See those tiny plants unfurling? Among the various types of begonias, Begonia rex is one of the most beautiful and dramatic plants. But they will also let you know if they feel that their water, light, and soil conditions are a bit off for their liking. Lift the Rex begonia tuber from the pot with a spade or your hands. To do this, you want to cover the leaf-cutting in plastic wrap. Water when the top 1 of soil becomes almost dry about once a week. It can harm or even kill your plant. 100K views 9 years ago In the video, Alan of The Plant Farm talks about the unique Rex Begonia and how to propagate it. Gently transplant the babies into 3-inch pots. Rhizomatous types grow from fleshy, caterpillar-like structures inclined to spread over the pot lips or even stand upward. . Strip off the lower leaves. You dont want it to take off again, so keep an eye on it. Youll only need to refill the tray with water once its empty. Allow fleshy cuts to dry for an hour before potting. long stem cutting from a healthy Begonia Rex. Its a natural oil and isnt known to harm many plants. However, if you have over-fertilized your begonia, it may seize the opportunity to really get going, shooting up and becoming leggy. Let me show you the secret to propagating rex begonias from leaf cuttings. Place your plant in the shade if grown outdoors. Then, to keep the cuts in contact with the mix, start pushing T-pins through the leaf into the soil. Indoor begonias thrive in soil-free mediums. Read our. However, while they do best in partial shade and indirect light, this is not the same as no light at all. Airy, light, fast-draining soil is best for rex begonias. A leggy begonia reminds me of a teenager in the middle of a growth spurt, gangly and out of proportion, and theres some truth to that. 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. Now you care for the new plant like you do the mother, Rex. 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. This means it wont absorb the fertilizer. Its important to pay careful attention to your plant so you can fix any problems as they arise. All rights reserved. Fill a small pot with moistened seed-starting medium. 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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. How to Grow Tuberous Begonias Begonias are some of my favorite indoor plants. It should be getting bright indirect light. Growth will slow in freezing temperatures and some types of begonias go into a dormant period during the winter due to lack of light. This is how you may get more of these wonderful plants for free. Turn the begonia leaf back over and press it into the seed-starting mix. This is an easy method, and it doesnt cost much. The biggest way to prevent plant pests is to examine all new plants before you bring them into your home. Begonias are prone to fungal infections, and bleach kills any lurkers. Taxon 67(2): 267-323. BBC Gardeners' World Magazine. They can take up to 6 weeks to emerge, so be patient. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. You have to remove all the infected leaves, so it doesnt spread. Begonias originated in the tropics and thrive in warm, humid climates. . How to Divide Bearded Irises Pin the leaf down so that each cut makes good contact with the seed-starting mix. Make sure you sit your plant a few inches away instead of sitting it right under the light. Expect one or two plants per cut. When we say a plant is leggy, we mean that its growth is concentrated in its stems. The begonia foliage should be trimmed back, and the tubers can be dried and stored in a cool, dry location through winter, just as canna or dahlia bulbs are stored.