Dividing and conquering the fastest-growing genus: Towards a natural sectional classification of the mega-diverse genus Begonia (Begoniaceae). 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. Divide rhizomatous begonias in spring, ensuring that each portion of the rhizome bears one or more growing points. A Rex Begonia can grow to be 12 to 18 inches in height. Rex Begonias are not difficult to divide and propagate, which comes in handy as individual plants usually don't have a very long lifespan. Ive cut each vein about an inch from the central vein in the photo above.
Painted-Leaf Begonia Plant Care: How to Grow Rex Begonia Get the plant pot ready. Provide 50% or more humidity and fertilize every three weeks using a liquid fertilizer diluted to 1/2 strength. I am going to walk you through how to propagate Begonia using root division and through leaf cuttings. Porous soil allows excess water to drain instead of holding onto all that unneeded water. How to propagate Begonia Rex from stem cuttings Take 4-6 in. Unlike other types of legginess, this is not caused by excessive growth. Begonias are easily propagated at home. One of our favorite methods for creating high humidity is the pebble tray method. Using a shovel or flat-edged spade, slice completely around the outer perimeter of the plant, a few inches away from the foliage. The Begonia rex is toxic to cats, dogs, and horses. Stick to the plan above, and your bundle of twigs will be restored to its verdant glory in no time. They thrive on humidity but be careful if misting leaves that they don't stay too wet and encourage powdery mildew. Gently remove the Rex begonia from its nursery pot, handling the root system with care, and place in the middle of the new container. While begonias are prone to becoming leggy, there is a relatively simple fix that can result in even more begonias! As a result, you might find that the same crosses have different names in different garden centers. What if I told you that you could propagate a bunch of beautiful rex begonias for almost nothing? Fill the tray with damp potting mix and youre ready for the fun part taking the cuttings! Jenny Harrington has been a freelance writer since 2006.
How to divide rex begonias | Propagating plants, Begonia, Plants Make sure you sit your plant a few inches away instead of sitting it right under the light. You can also propagate rex begonia from water. Cover your container with its dome or plastic wrap. This is a common method for dividing hardy begonias. To be cautious, I always rinse all my supplies (and my hands) in a solution of 1 teaspoon bleach to 1 quart of water. Step 3: Cut the rex begonia leaf. Its also the most common issue youll come across. This plant disease can destroy a plant. Begin by removing the tallest, thinnest stalks. Rex begonias do produce delicate flowers but are usually grown for their spectacularly colored and intriguingly textured leaves.
How to Propagate Begonias | HGTV Previously, she owned her own business, selling handmade items online, wholesale and at crafts fairs. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. Begonias grown indoors are especially susceptible to root rot and overwatering. Mealybugs are the biggest plant pest problem with this Begonia. Once fall hits, the plant goes dormant. You need to remove all dead or harmed roots right away. In no time you should start to see new growth springing up from the site of the old, woody stems.
Tropicals & Tender Perennials:Need advice dividing rex begonia Regarding the Rex Begonia, you want to repot in a shallow pot. Tap water contains salt and other chemicals that can harm your plant. Another way to prevent pests is to remove dead or dying leaves right away permanently. Rex begonia can be difficult to grow because of its need for high humidity. Now, set your plant on the pebbles. 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.
Rex Begonia Propagation| How to Propagate Rex Begonia from Stem Cuttings Among the various types of begonias, Begonia rex is one of the most beautiful and dramatic plants. You can care for the leaf-cutting as you do the original Begonia rex. These leaves are arranged in an asymmetrical manner on the stems. Don't water the leaves, only the soil to avoid fungal disease issues. Mist the foliage of Rex (foliage) type begonias twice a week or provide high humidity to avoid leaf drop. Advice on chopping top half do you have to cut where there's still green on the base or can you cut lower if there's pups growing? Move your plant to a shadier area. 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. 2023 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. 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! Cultivars which are usually derived from Begonia tuberhybrida are a favourite of gardeners for their bright colours and long flowering season. 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. How to Divide Bearded Irises Pin the leaf down so that each cut makes good contact with the seed-starting mix.
Cissus discolor Care and Propagation - Rex Begonia Vine . Indoor begonias thrive in soil-free mediums. Remove the begonia from its container and gently tease the roots apart, position it in the pot and backfill around it. Then, place the vase or glass containing the plant in a light and warm spot to provide the perfect growing conditions. Here are some supplies and tools we find essential in our everyday work in the garden. long stem cutting from a healthy Begonia Rex. Dip the cut end in a rooting hormone. 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. Keep your leaf cutting near 70 degrees and give it plenty of humidity. Remove the lower leaves on each cutting, leaving the upper one or two leaves. Let me show you the secret to propagating rex begonias from leaf cuttings. Use a garden fork to dig a healthy wax begonia plant. Anthurium Light Tips, How Cold Can Anthurium Tolerate Temperature and Humidity. We are compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to on this site. The weaker stems lean and nod, and your plant takes up more room in your arrangement. Do not mist, increase humidity with humidifier or pebble tray. Like many other Begonias, the Begonia rex is susceptible to several plant issues. Rex Begonia Crispy Leaves Just as Begonia's do not do well if overwatered, it is also important to ensure that your plant does not dry out and die of thirst. Harrington's specialties include small business information, crafting, decorating and gardening. Check for rot in your cuttings once a week. Flip the begonia leaf over and make a -inch cut across five or six of the largest veins with your knife. Let the soil surface become dry to the touch before watering.
Your begonia has indicated this need by stretching its leaves in the direction of a brighter light source. Keep the temperature setting at about 70 degrees. Then, to keep the cuts in contact with the mix, start pushing T-pins through the leaf into the soil. The biggest plant disease you want to avoid from over-watering is root rot. Plantophiles 2023 |UpVision GmbH | Privacy Policy | About us, Common Problems with the Begonia Rex (Pests and Diseases), Your Begonia Rex has Crispy Leaves or is Losing Leaves, Your Begonia Rex has Silver or Grey Spores, Your Begonia Rex has a White Powdery Substance. What if I told you that you could propagate a bunch of beautiful rex begonias for almost nothing? 2. Needed good info to prune and appreciate this info as I am not as good a plant person as my sister who gave me this plant. 6. Silver Limbo is a compact, small-leafed variety that offers beautiful metallic-silver foliage that has purple-red backsides. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Avoid nicking or cutting the tuber if you are using a spade. It was published in 1857. It can harm or even kill your plant. Plus, there will be minimal damage to your plant. Dry, brittle leaves are a symptom of dry air. Avoid putting a pin through a main leaf vein, or that vein may not root. Water once the to 1-inch of soil is dry once a week. Brush fungicide onto each cut surface of the roots to prevent disease. Make sure the medium is evenly moist but not wet or soggy. 3. Once your plant is soil-free, you must wash off the roots. When used sparingly, this will encourage the growth of those lovely leaves without inspiring them to reach for the stars. How to Divide Bearded Irises Pin the leaf down so that each cut makes good contact with the seed-starting mix. This article has been viewed 38,009 times. It contains Soluble calcium oxalates. It can be challenging to find just the right conditions for rex begonia to display its best leaf color. With a sharp spade, cut a piece off.
How to Care for Rex Begonias - The Spruce How to Grow Rex Begonia Rex begonias are grown from seed and require about four months to reach maturity before being ready for flowering.