When choosing your pot, a good general rule of thumb is no more than 20cm across the top for each begonia. When the plants are 3 inches tall and have at least two leaves, theyre ready to lift. By using our site, you agree to our. Brush fungicide onto each cut surface of the roots to prevent disease. But the air in the plants environment cant be dry. The best way to thicken the stem of your begonia is to simply wait. Turn the begonia leaf back over and press it into the seed-starting mix. 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. Previously, she owned her own business, selling handmade items online, wholesale and at crafts fairs. Dont be afraid! Rex Begonias are not difficult to divide and propagate, which comes in handy as individual plants usually don't have a very long lifespan. So, they water the plant more and more. The Rex Begonia originates in areas without salt in the water. Rex begonias require high humidity and heavy fertilization during the growing period. It may seem brutal, but there really isnt much to it. Begonia roots are prone to rot immediately after dividing. On the other hand separating the rhizome takes the most work since you need to get the plant out of its container. Fertilize your begonia no more than once a month during the growing season for best results. If you grow cane or wing begonias, give this technique a try with them, as well! How to Get Rid of Fruit Flies in Plants 5 Proven Ways! The original leaf probably will have torn apart and may have even disintegrated. Once fall hits, the plant goes dormant. This Begonia creates both gorgeous leaves and flowers. Rex begonias are a special group, because we grow them for their beautiful leaves. Avoid nicking or cutting the tuber if you are using a spade. 2. What if I told you that you could propagate a bunch of beautiful rex begonias for almost nothing? Cut the leaf into wedges to do so lay the leaf flat on your work space. The vibrant colored leaves of a Begonia Rex start to fade and look bleached when it is getting too much direct sun. ". We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Snip off flowers and older leaves first to give the division more energy for root growth. If you have a heat mat for seedlings, that will help the begonia leaf cuttings get off to a faster start. 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. They are resilient and thrive under that level of pruning. It drains well while retaining a good amount of moisture, and the slow but steady decomposition of the moss provides a consistent amount of nutrition. Step 1: Gather your materials for propagating rex begonias. 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 . wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. 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. This means they steal the hydration and nutrition from the plant. It grows about 6 inches tall and wide. How to Divide Bearded Irises Pin the leaf down so that each cut makes good contact with the seed-starting mix. A Begonia rex fools many plant lovers with dry leaves. The easiest way is to run a faucet or hose over the roots. Indoor begonias thrive in soil-free mediums. It can be challenging to find just the right conditions for rex begonia to display its best leaf color. While this may appear barbaric, it will prompt your blushing beauty to produce not one, but two new sprouts from the trimmed tip. Well walk you through both methods step-by-step down below. The scorch marks can be either dark or white. The Rex Begonia requires bright but indirect sunlight. 1. You can cut off up to two-thirds of the top of any given cane begonia. To water propagate your Begonia, all you have to do is partially submerge the stem in water, leaving the leaves sticking out. It was published in 1857. Mealybugs are the biggest plant pest problem with this Begonia. These elegant plants arent hard to propagate. 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. Your begonia, regardless of variety, requires partial shade to bright, indirect light to thrive. Dip the cut end in a rooting hormone. 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. Young leaves should be removed before they unfurl. Nothing should go to waste. Spider mites also feed on the sap from your plant. To do this, you want to cover the leaf-cutting in plastic wrap. This article will show you the easiest way to propagate a rex begonia leaf. After youve pruned your begonia, it will begin to sprout new leaves. 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! Begonia rex plants can quickly get mildew or fungal diseases. Remove the lower leaves on each cutting, leaving the upper one or two leaves. Soil Airy, light, fast-draining soil is best for rex begonias. Insert the cuttings in moist, free-draining potting mix and place the set up in a warm, shaded place. Lay the plants roots on a paper towel. Active Interest Media Holdco, Inc. Copyright 2023. You want to be careful during this process to avoid injuring the plants roots. #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. To be cautious, I always rinse all my supplies (and my hands) in a solution of 1 teaspoon bleach to 1 quart of water. Use a well diluted balanced plant feed monthly in the spring and summer. Flip the begonia leaf over and make a -inch cut across five or six of the largest veins with your knife. Tuberous, rhizomatous, and waxy begonias do not suffer as frequently as cane varieties, but long and malformed leaves can still be seen. A very well draining potting mix with added sand and perlite. Propagate leaf cuttings or sections of rhizome. In worst-case scenarios, it can kill your pet. Mix together well and moisten with water. Replant the original piece and pot or plant the remaining piece. Move your plant to a shadier area. With a sharp spade, cut a piece off. This begonia is rhizomatous, growing from a thick, fleshy rhizome that grows just below the surface of the soil. The Rex begonia is a rhizomatous plant with stems creeping on the surface. They can take up to 6 weeks to emerge, so be patient. Sometimes called painted-leaf begonias or fancy-leaf begonias, these plants are known for their variegated leaves. . NCBI BLAST name . Since you must wait for the roots to dry, prepare the plant pot. Let me show you the secret to propagating rex begonias from leaf cuttings. Easy Houseplants - Begonias. Simply break off rhizomes that have grown outside the pot and start them in a small pot. Press seeds onto the surface of the medium and cover them lightly with milled sphagnum. Open the containers lid once a week for 10 minutes to let the cuttings breath. On transplant day, dig a hole sufficient to accommodate the begonia's root ball or tubers (in the case of tuberous begonia). Step 3: Cut the rex begonia leaf. Pot in well-draining soil and feed with a balanced fertilizer in the spring and early summer months. Prefers partial shade and organically rich, moist but well-drained soils. There are a few plant pests that love the Begonia rex. A dimly lit environment will encourage your begonia to send out long stalks in search of light. You may get several cuttings depending on the size of your leaf. If there are several plants in one pot, they will crowd together. The rex begonia requires at least 50 perecnet humidity and careful watering that keeps the soil moist but not too wet. It's best to divide the tubers in the early spring, after the buds have begun to swell. This is how you may get more of these wonderful plants for free. Rex begonias make excellent presents and are easy to divide. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features NFL Sunday Ticket Press Copyright . Begonia Rex has tiny seeds that need warmth to germinate. Anthurium Light Tips, How Cold Can Anthurium Tolerate Temperature and Humidity. Find out to divide your rex begonia house plants, in our step-by-step guide. This is how you may get more of these wonderful plants for free. This will double the chance of being successful with propagation. 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. a Few Hardy Begonias @ Look for a healthy, full-grown leaf on the parent rex begonia plant. Its easy to do, especially when keeping the soil moist. With a moderate growth rate, rex begonias may grow to less than 12 inches in a year. The plant requires less water during winter, when it often enters a dormant . If you see silver or grey spores on your plant, it has Botrytis Blight disease. You should fertilize your winter-blooming plants with a high-phosphorus, water-soluble fertilizer that contains little or no nitrogen. Humidifiers allow you to adjust the humidity as needed. Here are some supplies and tools we find essential in our everyday work in the garden. This plant pot should have drainage holes on the bottom. Lift the Rex begonia tuber from the pot with a spade or your hands. Harrington's specialties include small business information, crafting, decorating and gardening. University of Vermont Extension Department of Plant and Soil Science. Dont remove the plastic wrap until a few new leaves have grown. We may receive a commission from sales referred by our links; however, we Allow fleshy cuts to dry for an hour before potting. . 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. Is it skewed in one direction? Theyre perfect for the pastel plant lover. It can harm or even kill your plant. A leggy begonia, like an adolescent, is one that is rapidly growing. To get rid of an infestation naturally, you should try neem oil. All rights reserved. Get the plant pot ready. Its beautiful leaves are sensitive to direct sunlight. Cut the tuber with a sharp knife directly between the two stems. When to Start Seeds Indoors Begonias are easily propagated at home. Airy, light, fast-draining soil is best for rex begonias. You can use a pair of sterilized pruning shears to do this. Tuberous and rhizomatous begonias benefit from leaf removal and will reward you with new shoots and more perfectly formed growth. Rhizomatous types grow from fleshy, caterpillar-like structures inclined to spread over the pot lips or even stand upward. But be careful not to let the plastic touch the leaves or you could risk fungal problems. The rex begonia is toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. Remove the stem with a sharp knife and slice the leaf into wedges, each piece with a main vein. But they can get pricey. Trimming a cane begonia allows you to remove up to two-thirds of any stem without fear of killing the plant. This is because of []. Consider using a grow light if you cant find a good bright spot. Begonias are some of my favorite indoor plants. Keep a Rex Begonia plants soil moist. Step 2 - Prepare the New Location. How to Water Houseplants 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. The seeds . wikiHow is a wiki, similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. Gently remove the Rex begonia from its nursery pot, handling the root system with care, and place in the middle of the new container. When an infestation is too big for you to handle, consider pesticides. Step 2: Take a leaf cutting from your rex begonia. It should be getting bright indirect light. 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. Propagating a Begonia rex doesnt have to be complicated. Begonias grown indoors are especially susceptible to root rot and overwatering. You deal with powdery mildew when you see a white powdery substance all over your plant. Grow them there until theyre big enough to put in the garden or transplant into more permanent pots. They need room to spread. have carefully selected these products for their usefulness and quality. Repot your begonias only when they are completely root-bound. Find a rex begonia leaf you want to propagate and cut it off the plant. When to Start Seeds Indoors % of people told us that this article helped them. According to Cornell University, your Begonia is susceptible to this disease in wet or humid environments. High humidity isnt necessary for a Rex begonia. You need to dilute the neem oil with water. Begonia rex is toxic to pets such as cats, dogs, and horses, according to ASCPA. This makes them easier to work with because theyre easier to see. At night, the temperature should never drop below 60F (16C). Airy, light, fast-draining soil is best for rex begonias. Divide rhizomatous begonias in spring, ensuring that each portion of the rhizome bears one or more growing points. Overgrowth occurs in all begonias, but it is most noticeable in cane begonias. I mist mine daily and water the soil once a week. A leggy begonia appears bare, with an insufficient amount of foliage. The stem stretches, causing the normal spacing between leaves to become excessively wide and gaping. Managine Pests in Gardens: BegoniaBegoniaspp. Use regular houseplant fertilizer tri-weekly diluted to half-strength. Gently remove the begonia from its container and immediately transplant it into the new medium. 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. Because they are not aggressive bloomers, they can tolerate less light than other begonias and will thrive under fluorescent lights. Your plant will get plenty of sun but it wont receive direct sunlight. Move your Begonia Rex to an eastern exposure and the new leaves will be fine. How to propagate Rex Begonia in water? 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