This causes begonias, particularly cane varieties such as the popular Polka Dot or Angel Wing varieties, to grow tall and lean, with few leaves along the stems. The roots should be completely covered in soil. Fertilize your begonia no more than once a month during the growing season for best results. 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. Propagate leaf cuttings or sections of rhizome. When used sparingly, this will encourage the growth of those lovely leaves without inspiring them to reach for the stars. These begonias have gorgeous flowers with frilly edges. When peat moss is unavailable, Ive had success substituting coir or sphagnum moss for it in this blend. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. 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. How to propagate Begonia Rex from stem cuttings Take 4-6 in. Grow them there until theyre big enough to put in the garden or transplant into more permanent pots. Once fall hits, the plant goes dormant. To do this, you want to cover the leaf-cutting in plastic wrap. 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. Flip the begonia leaf over and make a -inch cut across five or six of the largest veins with your knife. Remove the stem with a sharp knife and slice the leaf into wedges, each piece with a main vein. Now that weve restored your radiant beauty, lets look at how to keep that legginess from reappearing. These elegant plants arent hard to propagate. Divide the plant by prising the root ball apart from the top, being careful to keep buds on each section. 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. To be cautious, I always rinse all my supplies (and my hands) in a solution of 1 teaspoon bleach to 1 quart of water. NCBI BLAST name . Use a well diluted balanced plant feed monthly in the spring and summer. Rex begonias are semi-tropical perennial plants native to Asia, usually grown as house plants. If you grow cane or wing begonias, give this technique a try with them, as well! You could also put your leaf cuttings in an east window as long as the temperature stays consistently warm. Plus, you want to trap in moisture so itll grow quicker. Please note the tuber I split here in the images is nowhere large enough to need splitting but it is all I had on hand to demonstrate with! When to Start Seeds Indoors The humidity levels are too low (but don't mist the plant because rex begonias do not like wet foliage). Lopping your begonias over-extended stems and pinching out its errant growth, as drastic as it may appear, is the most effective way to bring that growth back under control. This plant dislikes cold temperatures. Pruning and pinching will help you concentrate the growth of your plant and make it denser and bushier. They bloom in several colors, including pink, orange, and red. . Then, to keep the cuts in contact with the mix, start pushing T-pins through the leaf into the soil. 1. We earn from qualifying purchases. This plant disease can destroy a plant. The soil should always be moist. Step 3: Cut the rex begonia leaf. It suffocates the pests within only minutes. Allow the soil to dry out a little between waterings. But don't let the soil become overly dry or the plant will begin to wither. Cut the leaf and stem from the main plant, then take off the leaf stem and throw it away so youre left with just the leaf. Always be careful during this process, you dont want to damage the Rex Begonia plants roots. How to divide rex begonias - removing old leaves Step 2 Divide the plant by prising the root ball apart from the top, being careful to keep buds on each section. There are two main ways to propagate a Rex Begonia. Plant with the flat or concave section of the root facing up. How to propagate Rex Begonia in water? The truth is, dry leaves are a sign of over-watering. Begonias, according to conventional wisdom, benefit from smaller-than-average pots. They come in various colors, the most common color being green. Check for rot in your cuttings once a week. It can affect the animals breathing and cause excessive drooling. Do you want to save any of the leaf patches? The stem stretches, causing the normal spacing between leaves to become excessively wide and gaping. Plants are root bound when you can't insert a pencil into a drainage holes on the pot. Allow the top layer of soil to become completely dry in between waterings. Divide rex begonia in early spring right before the plant begins growing again. To grow a begonia in a pot, you need to allow for growth, so ensure you choose a pot that is twice the width and depth of the plant. 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. You could also put your leaf cuttings in an east window as long as the temperature stays consistently warm. The soil should be watered to feel slightly, but evenly moist. A small infestation isnt a big deal; once it grows, your plant can be in big trouble. Taxon 67(2): 267-323. Then spray your Begonia down with the oil. It's best to divide the tubers in the early spring, after the buds have begun to swell. This article has been viewed 38,009 times. The begonias eye-catching, asymmetrical leaves make it the star of any collection, but what if your begonia is more stem than a leaf? Published: Wednesday, 26 August, 2020 at 3:06 pm. How to Divide 45 Favorite Perennials Keep your begonias in a growing environment that is between 58 72F (14 22C) for the best results. If you do this too often, it can create powdery mildew. 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. Rex begonias are not only lovely and graceful, but they are also very simple to cultivate from leaf cuttings. How to Divide Bearded Irises Pin the leaf down so that each cut makes good contact with the seed-starting mix. Avoid putting a pin through a main leaf vein, or that vein may not root. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. Examine your growing environment and choose a location for your newly trimmed begonia that receives more light than its previous location. Use a garden fork to dig a healthy wax begonia plant. You should only allow the top inch or so of the soil to dry out before you water. Rex begonias require high humidity and heavy fertilization during the growing period. Then, to keep the cuts in contact with the mix, start pushing T-pins through the leaf into the soil. If you have a heat mat for seedlings, that will help the begonia leaf cuttings get off to a faster start. They can take up to 6 weeks to emerge, so be patient. Here are some supplies and tools we find essential in our everyday work in the garden. Step 1: Gather your materials for propagating rex begonias. Cut away any shrivelled or soft and rotten sections of the tuber and discard these. The flowers can turn orange, pink, and white. Indoor begonias thrive in soil-free mediums. The leaves are hairy and wavy. It can be challenging to find just the right conditions for rex begonia to display its best leaf color. Active Interest Media Holdco, Inc. Copyright 2023. Place the leaf-cutting, so its sticking out of the soil at a 45-degree angle. Find out how, in our step-by-step guide. It contains soluble calcium oxalates. Common Issues with Strawberry Begonia. Obviously, a larger pot is required if you have a larger plant, but its best to err on the side of caution and stick to smaller ones to prevent them from sprinting off into every available bit of the new roomy pot. #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. Carefully cut away the rotted portion of the roots, and re-pot in better soil. Because of its thick stems, this Begonia is known as a fibrous Begonia. 8 Causes of Polka Dot Plant Dying (And Solutions), Are Pebbles Good for Soil? Its a very satisfying way to keep your begonias dramatic foliage. Post #8301529 Quote CindyMzone5 Hobart, IN Jan 10, 2011 Should I try to evenly divide the roots so that all of the clumps have some roots? 2. Tuberous begonia. The bright side is if you find an infestation early, its easy to get rid of. Step 4: Pin the rex begonia leaf into seed-starting mix Turn the begonia leaf back over and press it into the seed-starting mix. These plants can grow wide. The problem is that a rex begonia with some leaves bitten off is really a disaster on the gardening front. Set Up Your Apiary With the Best Beekeeping Supplies, Create a Safe Deer Feeding Station With the Best Deer Feeder, Become More Efficient With the Best Rubber Buckets, Declutter Your Outdoor Space With the Best Deck Boxes, Liven up Your Lawn With the Best Grass Paints, Create a Relaxing Sitting Space With the Best Gazebos, Optimize Your Orchids Growth With the Best Orchid Fertilizers, Improve Your Gardens Soil Health With the Best Fish Fertilizers, Relax and Unwind With the Best Inflatable Hot Tubs, Best Patio Sets to Level up Your Outdoor Space, Seclude Your Garden with the Best Outdoor Privacy Screens, Unleash Your Flower Power With the Best Fresh Flowers, Safeguard Your Equipment With the Best Riding Lawn Mower Covers, Guarantee Extra Protection With the Best Lawn Mower Covers. Once your plant is soil-free, you must wash off the roots. Let the soil surface become dry to the touch before watering. Keep it out of direct sunlight, but in a warm, well-lit spot. Let the surface of the soil get dry to the touch before watering. Potting soil, peat moss, perlite, vermiculite. Keep a Rex Begonia plants soil moist. The best temperature is 65-75F (18-24C). Cultivars which are usually derived from Begonia tuberhybrida are a favourite of gardeners for their bright colours and long flowering season. Begonias grown indoors are especially susceptible to root rot and overwatering. Because you can only cut once, consider what you want to keep and what needs to go. Be careful not to over-water your plant, though. Its easy to do, especially when keeping the soil moist. 2 Let the soil surface become dry to the touch before watering. Lay the plants roots on a paper towel. How to Grow Tuberous Begonias These mites arent actual insects but arachnids instead. Theyre perfect for the pastel plant lover. Youll also want to check the roots to ensure root rot hasnt started. Managine Pests in Gardens: BegoniaBegoniaspp. Leave them in place until they start to get in the way. Rex begonias need thorough watering but should not be overwatered. To fix a leggy begonia, first, determine what is causing the overgrowth and then correct it by increasing light, temperature, or changing the plants pot. But if you place a piece of paper under your plant and shake it, you should see them fall. You want to be careful during this process to avoid injuring the plants roots. Like many other Begonias, the Begonia rex is susceptible to several plant issues. Let them dry before you head on to the next step. This will double the chance of being successful with propagation. The water will evaporate over time, keeping humidity in the air at all times. And make sure your plant is always getting bright but indirect sunlight. The petiole is the stalk that attaches the leaf blade to the plant stem. Begonia rex plants are prone to mildew and fungi. BBC Gardeners' World Magazine. Step 2: Take a leaf cutting from your rex begonia. So what are you waiting for? Tamp down the medium to hold the cutting upright. Giving your leggy begonia a haircut is the absolute best way to deal with it! Youll also need to make sure theres plenty of air circulation. Slice down several inches deepat least 6 inches for most plants and more for extremely large, well-rooted plants.