You can also use artificial lights for this Begonia. Fill a small pot with moistened seed-starting medium. Once your plant is soil-free, you must wash off the roots. Allow the top layer of soil to become completely dry in between waterings. Rex begonias do produce delicate flowers but are usually grown for their spectacularly colored and intriguingly textured leaves. Gently remove the begonia from its container and immediately transplant it into the new medium. This stops any plant disease from spreading. Rex begonias make excellent house plants, and are easy to divide so you can gift them to friends. The petiole is the stalk that attaches the leaf blade to the plant stem. Fill the plant pot with porous and fast-draining soil. Make sure the medium is evenly moist but not wet or soggy. They can take up to 6 weeks to emerge, so be patient. The Rex Begonia requires bright but indirect sunlight. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. Rather, your plant is balding, which many older gardeners can certainly relate to! Tiny White Bugs In Soil The Truth Revealed! By using our site, you agree to our. Male and female flowers are borne separately on the same plant, the male . . Use regular houseplant fertilizer tri-weekly diluted to half-strength. It should be getting bright indirect light. Here is where you will find the Rex begonias, Dragon Wing begonias, and other specialty ones like Eyelash begonias. University of Connecticut Home and Garden Information Center. There are two main ways to propagate a Rex Begonia. It's best to divide the tubers in the early spring, after the buds have begun to swell. 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! A few stones may help keep the begonia leaf from curling up and away from the mix, as well. When peat moss is unavailable, Ive had success substituting coir or sphagnum moss for it in this blend. Divide the leaf into sections about 2cm long, each with . Mealybugs are the biggest plant pest problem with this Begonia. There is a major downside to spritzing the Rex Begonia. If your begonia is receiving adequate light but still reaching for the stars, the problem is one of temperature, and you must maintain your cool. Deer will eat the former and turn up their noses with the latter. Active Interest Media Holdco, Inc. Copyright 2023. The roots should be completely covered in soil. Airy, light, fast-draining soil is best for rex begonias. How to propagate Rex Begonia in water? The plant requires less water during winter, when it often enters a dormant . Ive found an equal mix of perlite, vermiculite, and peat moss to be an ideal growing medium for my indoor begonias. The cutting should then be placed in a clean pot filled with moistened potting mix. Its a natural oil and isnt known to harm many plants. Expect one or two plants per cut. Pin into place with wire. The easiest method to turn one Rex Begonia into two (or more) Rex Begonias is by dividing the . The leaves on this plant can grow to about 6 inches in width. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Make sure the soil is always moist. "I've been losing all my beautiful leaves off most of my favorite plants! The truth is, dry leaves are a sign of over-watering. Moisten the sphagnum with a sprayer, then cover with glass or plastic wrap to keep moisture in. The Rex Begonia originates in areas without salt in the water. Airy, light, fast-draining soil is best for rex begonias. Find out how, in our step-by-step guide. 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. Rex Begonia plants are rhizomatous plants. How to Propagate Begonia Rex in Water by using a single leaf | plant Propagating Experiments. The humidity levels are too low (but don't mist the plant because rex begonias do not like wet foliage). Consider using a systemic fungicide. Because your begonia cannot afford to produce both stems and leaves, it focuses on stems in the hope of achieving better illumination. Be careful not to over-water your plant, though. After you've placed your Begonia Rex seedlings into holes in the soil, cover them with soil and water them generously. Harrington's specialties include small business information, crafting, decorating and gardening. This will help make it stand up. To prevent transplant shock (common with heavy-handed transplants), water the plant 24hrs before the main event. 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. Gently transplant the babies into 3-inch pots. Find out how, in our step-by-step guide. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. Allow fleshy cuts to dry for an hour before potting. This will double the chance of being successful with propagation. Overgrowth occurs in all begonias, but it is most noticeable in cane begonias. The stem stretches, causing the normal spacing between leaves to become excessively wide and gaping. It grows 8 inches tall and wide. Since you must wait for the roots to dry, prepare the plant pot. Ive cut each vein about an inch from the central vein in the photo above. They also thrive on humidity but don't like direct misting, which encourages powdery mildew. The soil for your Begonia should always be moist. But you can also propagate this plant through leaf cuttings. They thrive on humidity but be careful if misting leaves that they don't stay too wet and encourage powdery mildew. It can harm or even kill your plant. This begonia is rhizomatous, growing from a thick, fleshy rhizome that grows just below the surface of the soil. Simply break off rhizomes that have grown outside the pot and start them in a small pot. Growth will slow in freezing temperatures and some types of begonias go into a dormant period during the winter due to lack of light. Check weekly. 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. 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 rex begonia requires at least 50 perecnet humidity and careful watering that keeps the soil moist but not too wet. Provide the plant with plenty of bright indirect sun, but keep it out of direct sunlight and rotate frequently to expose it to equal light on all sides. You'll notice if the leaves of your lovely rex begonia begin to wilt, which is one of its most common problems. 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. Texas A&M University AgriLife Extension Plant Disease Handbook. You deal with powdery mildew when you see a white powdery substance all over your plant. This site is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. I like to take leaf cuttings because its so fascinating to watch a single leaf sprout a whole bunch of babies. I just call them all fancy-leaf begonias, but they divide into several structural groups: Fibrous-rooted ones have cane-like stems and often wing-like leaves. I have a question. Amend the medium with a couple of tablespoons of ground limestone to help control humidity. Unlike other types of legginess, this is not caused by excessive growth. Water once the to 1-inch of soil is dry once a week. According to Cornell University, your Begonia is susceptible to this disease in wet or humid environments. My begonia is so leggy that I wonder if when I cut it I can cut the stems several times to propagate them? With a moderate growth rate, rex begonias may grow to less than 12 inches in a year. Learn more Rex begonias are striking known as painted-leaf begonias or fancy-leaf begonias because of their stunning leaf coloration. Cut the germinated tubers longitudinally, each with 1 to 2 buds, and plant in a pot after the incision is dried. Keep the seeds in temperatures of between 70 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit until they germinate. Begonia Rex has tiny seeds that need warmth to germinate. Press seeds onto the surface of the medium and cover them lightly with milled sphagnum. Taxon 67(2): 267-323. It grows about 6 inches tall and wide. Use a garden fork to dig a healthy wax begonia plant. When it comes to fast-draining soil, porous soil works the best. The rex begonia plant thrives in humid environments and exposure to bright indirect sunlight. Cut the stem off all the way back to the base of the leaf. You can use tape to keep the plastic wrap to the cutting. Most indoor plants, on the other hand, live in a kind of perpetual spring, where it is warm but not hot and there is little moisture in the air. These strange plant pests are soft-bodied. Jon VanZile was a writer for The Spruce covering houseplants and indoor gardening for almost a decade. 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. long stem cutting from a healthy Begonia Rex. Place your Rex begonia in either a north or east-facing window to get bright indirect light indoors. You should only allow the top inch or so of the soil to dry out before you water. Letting the cut sides dry overnight before replanting as well as the use of fungicide helps prevent this. See those tiny plants unfurling? Do not mist, increase humidity with humidifier or pebble tray. Tamp down the medium to hold the cutting upright. Avoid direct sunlight, but any location with good diffuse light will encourage your begonia to bloom with an abundance of alluring foliage. Fibrous rooted and rhizomatous begonias do not die back once a year like tuberous begonias. Trimming a cane begonia allows you to remove up to two-thirds of any stem without fear of killing the plant. A systemic fungicide can help. 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This is to prevent the spread of spores and fungi. You can purchase this Rooting Powder in our retail store, The Plant Farm located in Spokane Valley, WA. Mealybugs like to feed on the sap from the inside of a plant. Start as many leaves as will fit in your tray or pot without the leaves touching. Youll want to use the root division process for the best results. Your plant cannot photosynthesize and produce food if it is not exposed to light. Begonia rex plants are prone to mildew and fungi. A leggy begonia, like an adolescent, is one that is rapidly growing. Make sure the water isnt running full blast. There are three types of begonia propagation: stem cuttings, leaf cuttings, and division. Take a close look at the shape of your begonia first. A leggy begonia appears bare, with an insufficient amount of foliage. But be careful not to let the plastic touch the leaves or you could risk fungal problems. How to Root Succulents with Leaf Cuttings Tuberous and rhizomatous begonias benefit from leaf removal and will reward you with new shoots and more perfectly formed growth. This article will show you the easiest way to propagate a rex begonia leaf. To do this, you want to cover the leaf-cutting in plastic wrap. Direct sunlight can cause damage to this plant. Protecting your leaf cutting from harm while it starts to root is important. This is because the leaves are covered in calcium oxalate crystals. 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. To do this, simply cut a 4-6 inch section from a healthy stem and remove the lower leaves. Water Rex begonias like regular water but hate being overwatered. - . How many Begonia rex plants can I put in one pot? Begonia tubers increase in size each year and after three years or so, the flower display will begin to deteriorate. 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. There are a few different methods that can be used to propagate rex begonias, but the most common is stem propagation. Place this in a warm area of your home, but out of the path of direct sunlight. If you can squeeze water from the medium, it is too wet. When to Start Seeds Indoors Find out to divide your rex begonia house plants, in our step-by-step guide. 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. We may receive a commission from sales referred by our links; however, we We may receive a commission from sales referred by our links; however, we Nothing should go to waste. Step 3: Cut the rex begonia leaf. Begonia rex is toxic to pets such as cats, dogs, and horses, according to ASCPA. Rex begonias are rhizomatous plants that grow from a, When the rhizome begins to butt up against the sides of the pot, however, it's time to. Begonia rex Taxonomy ID: 200043 (for references in articles please use NCBI:txid200043) current name. 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 they will also let you know if they feel that their water, light, and soil conditions are a bit off for their liking. This plant pot should have drainage holes on the bottom. What if I told you that you could propagate a bunch of beautiful rex begonias for almost nothing? a Few Hardy Begonias @ Place the cutting at a 45-degree angle in a fresh pot of peat moss and perlite. Step 2: Take a leaf cutting from your rex begonia. Because of its thick stems, this Begonia is known as a fibrous Begonia. Trim the cutting to just below the next node along for cane or tuberous begonias. wikiHow is a wiki, similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. Keep a Rex Begonia plants soil moist. It can be a tattered, older leaf, but on the underside, the main veins should be plump and undamaged. Another way to prevent pests is to remove dead or dying leaves right away permanently. Propagate by leaf cuttings or sections of rhizome No pruning is required. They thrive in full sun and well-drained soil that is kept moist during the growing season (spring through autumn). I am going to walk you through how to propagate Begonia using root division and through leaf cuttings. A great way to prevent powdery mildew is through a spray mix you can make at home. A very well draining potting mix with added sand and perlite. Spider mites love Begonias as well. Begonia. As a result, you might find that the same crosses have different names in different garden centers. Leave them in place until they start to get in the way. Begonias are easily propagated at home. Fill a 4-inch container with commercial potting mixture. Published: Wednesday, 26 August, 2020 at 3:06 pm. To water propagate your Begonia, all you have to do is partially submerge the stem in water, leaving the leaves sticking out. 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. 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. Begonias grown indoors are especially susceptible to root rot and overwatering. All rights reserved. A brief period of unusual warmth will inspire your begonia to make the most of the summery conditions, resulting in a leggy plant. 6. Grow them there until theyre big enough to put in the garden or transplant into more permanent pots. A Rex Begonia can grow to be 12 to 18 inches in height. Do begonias winter inside? Fertilize your begonias. When the plants are 3 inches tall and have at least two leaves, theyre ready to lift. You should avoid freezing temperatures at all times. Thank you! Take a transparent bottle half filled with water. Among the various types of begonias, Begonia rex is one of the most beautiful and dramatic plants. . 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! Keep your leaf cutting near 70 degrees and give it plenty of humidity. For a Begonia, use regular houseplant fertilizer at half strength every two to three weeks in spring and summer. You want to switch out the saturated soil for fresh, moist soil. For a previously leggy plant, a good all-purpose balanced liquid fertilizer is ideal. 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 can take up to 6 weeks to emerge, so be patient. This plant can come in various colors depending on how its bred. Expect one or two plants per cut. Temperature and Humidity If you have a hanging basket or a table-top pot of . Stand the stem into the bottle, and keep foliage above water or on top of the bottle.