Place the leaf-cutting, so its sticking out of the soil at a 45-degree angle. Most potted plants have limited resources, and as a result, growth is restricted. And make sure your plant is always getting bright but indirect sunlight. There are three types of begonia propagation: stem cuttings, leaf cuttings, and division. This is usually in March. Tap water contains salt and other chemicals that can harm your plant. Water when the top 1" of soil becomes almost dry about once a week. Make sure you sterilize the pruning shears with isopropyl alcohol. When we say a plant is leggy, we mean that its growth is concentrated in its stems. The Rex begonia is a rhizomatous plant with stems creeping on the surface. Begonia Propagation: Rooting Begonias From Cuttings - Gardening Know How You may get several cuttings depending on the size of your leaf. But you should always test a small area of your plant to be on the safe side. Keep your leaf cutting near 70 degrees and give it plenty of humidity. Tuberous, rhizomatous, and waxy begonias do not suffer as frequently as cane varieties, but long and malformed leaves can still be seen. Because they are susceptible to fungal infections, it is a good idea to limit the opportunity for those pesky diseases to establish a foothold in potting soils. Allow the top layer of soil to become completely dry in between waterings. Step 3: Cut the rex begonia leaf. 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When a previously lush and leafy specimen produces an excess of stems and stalks, it shoots up until its nothing more than a tuft of greenery on a long bundle of sticks. Rex Begonia House Plants - Begonia rex Picture, Care Tips Rex Begonia Plant - Care, Growing, Watering, Propagation Use warm water in a misting bottle. How Much Light Do Anthuriums Need? Her published articles have appeared in various print and online publications. There are several ways to create humidity for any indoor plant. Rex begonias are often troubled by powdery mildew and botrytis fungal disease. Ive cut each vein about an inch from the central vein in the photo above. Care For Begonia Rex - Teak And Terracotta 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. Stick the leaf petioles or wedges into the soil, and slip the tray into a plastic bag. Rex begonias like bright, indirect light year-round. Brush off the excess soil and inspect the rhizome to find the buds. . The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Water until it begins dripping from the bottom drainage holes to ensure it is moist throughout. The ULTIMATE Guide for Strawberry Begonia (Saxifraga) - Ukhouseplants A stem cutting should be two to four inches in length and come from a healthy plant. With a sharp spade, cut a piece off. In most cases, it is easiest to divide a perennial plant by first digging and lifting the entire plant. How to Make a Kokedama. This Begonia species have leaves with a fun fuzzy feel. On the other hand separating the rhizome takes the most work since you need to get the plant out of its container. A systemic fungicide can help. Step 2: Take a leaf cutting from your rex begonia. It can be challenging to find just the right conditions for rex begonia to display its best leaf color. Spray the mixture with water until it's damp clear through, but not dripping. Plus, you want to trap in moisture so itll grow quicker. Active Interest Media Holdco, Inc. Copyright 2023. Then go ahead and fill the tray with water. This is to prevent the spread of spores and fungi. 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. ". Cuttings taken from leggy specimens are a great way to start new plants. Airy, light, fast-draining soil is best for rex begonias. Begonia. Get daily tips & tricks to help make your best home, The 5 'It' Plants of 2021, According to the Pros, 10 Varieties of Begonias for Gardens and Containers, 9 Great Foliage Plants for Container Gardens, How to Grow and Care for Begonia Maculata, 34 Best Plants That Grow in Water Indoors, How to Grow and Care for Black Bat Flower, How to Grow and Care for Persian Silk Trees, Northeastern India, southern China, and Vietnam. 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. What if I told you that you could propagate a bunch of beautiful rex begonias for almost nothing? I like to take leaf cuttings because its so fascinating to watch a single leaf sprout a whole bunch of babies. Gently remove the begonia from its container and immediately transplant it into the new medium. Pests love hopping from one plant to another. Divide the plant by prising the root ball apart from the top, being careful to keep buds on each section. Begonia Rex- Insightful Care Guide to Make Painted-Leaf Begonia Happy Avoid putting a pin through a main leaf vein, or that vein may not root. 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. Flip the begonia leaf over and use your knife to make a 12-inch cut across five or six of the main veins. 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. This means it wont absorb the fertilizer. You dont want it to take off again, so keep an eye on it. If planting outdoors, do so in May after frosts, but plant anytime indoors. How to Propagate Begonias | HGTV It isnt too good to be true! It came from Assam, India which is in the Himalayan foothills. How to Divide Bearded Irises. At night, the temperature should never drop below 60F (16C). 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. You want to be careful during this process to avoid injuring the plants roots. Make sure the water isnt running full blast. Indoor begonias thrive in soil-free mediums. Debra LaGattuta is a gardening expert with three decades of experience in perennial and flowering plants, container gardening, and raised bed vegetable gardening. Your plant cannot photosynthesize and produce food if it is not exposed to light. How to Propagate Rex Begonias from Leaf Cuttings | Garden Gate How to Water Houseplants If your plant is turning brown, with brittle leaves/dead leaves, it is likely to be one of three causes. BBC Gardeners' World Magazine. Rex Begonia can also reproduce by dividing tubers. Let me show you the secret to propagating rex begonias from leaf cuttings. There is nothing you can do for the old damaged leaves. If you give your begonia too much space, it will seize the opportunity and spread as quickly as it can into the new space. The easiest method to turn one Rex Begonia into two (or more) Rex Begonias is by dividing the . For a Begonia, use regular houseplant fertilizer at half strength every two to three weeks in spring and summer. You could also put your leaf cuttings in an east window as long as the temperature stays consistently warm. You can root these cuttings in perlite, potting soil, or any other sterile media. Provide 50% humidity. Like many other Begonias, the Begonia rex is susceptible to several plant issues. University of Vermont Extension Department of Plant and Soil Science. Simply keeping your new dense delight well-watered and well-lit will result in thicker, more luscious growth. Open the containers lid once a week for 10 minutes to let the cuttings breath. Expect one or two plants per cut. Whether you need to fix, build, create or learn, eHow gives you practical solutions to the problems life throws at you. Step 2: Take a leaf cutting from your rex begonia. What if I told you that you could propagate a bunch of beautiful rex begonias for almost nothing? . Make sure the plant never dries out. Bright indirect sunlight, and can tolerate direct sunlight too. 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. The best time to divide is during the repotting period in the spring or summer. The leaves are hairy and wavy. Cut the tuber with a sharp knife directly between the two stems. It suffocates the pests within only minutes. Cissus discolor Care and Propagation - Rex Begonia Vine The rex begonia vine can be grown as an indoor plant or as an outdoor plant, though it will not survive cold temperatures outdoors. The most toxic parts of this plant grow underground. How to Grow Begonia Rex - Healthbenefitstimes.com These leaves are arranged in an asymmetrical manner on the stems. I changed the water ones a week.Rubber plant propagation PART Ihttps://youtu.be/yXjvCQt5K0sRubber plant propagation PART IIhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBx3UjgMHPQ\u0026t=3sMonstera propagation https://youtu.be/Oa2Bdz14vJMInstagram https://instagram.com/lushgarden.lak?igshid=1awg76y1j643hThanks for clicking and I hope you've enjoyed this video!Stay tune for further updates. Regular LED Lights vs. Grow Lights, just didn't know how. How to Grow and Care for Begonia Rex Indoors - Homeplantsguide The water will evaporate over time, keeping humidity in the air at all times. Can you divide Rex Begonias? Begonia Listada Plant Care Best Practices, Scarlet Begonia (Begonia Coccinea) Best Care Tips | Plantophiles, [] The leaf surface has a mixture of colors ranging from green grass ting to red. The flowers can turn orange, pink, and white. 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. A leggy begonia, like an adolescent, is one that is rapidly growing. Propagate by leaf cuttings or sections of rhizome No pruning is required. This is especially true of cane begonias, which can grow to look almost like bamboo with careful, consistent care. Some Begonias go dormant for the winter and others have no dormant period and continue to grow and flower for the entire winter. Rhizomatous types grow from fleshy, caterpillar-like structures inclined to spread over the pot lips or even stand upward. The humidity levels are too low (but don't mist the plant because rex begonias do not like wet foliage). Begonia rex 'Putzeys' | The American Begonia Society You have to remove all the infected leaves, so it doesnt spread. 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. Look for a healthy, full-grown leaf on the parent rex begonia plant. The leaves are narrow and spotted white. It was published in 1857. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. But don't let the soil become overly dry or the plant will begin to wither. - . These plants are grown almost exclusively for their foliagetheir blooms tend to be small and less showy and many growers pinch off blooms to maintain breathtaking leaf displays. Spider mites love Begonias as well. The biggest way to prevent plant pests is to examine all new plants before you bring them into your home. 8 Causes of Polka Dot Plant Dying (And Solutions), Are Pebbles Good for Soil? You can test the moisture with your finger. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. 2023 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. This can take about two or three weeks. All rights reserved. But because they propagate so easily, it's a simple matter to keep a steady supply of healthy plants by creating new plants from cuttings. Rex Begonia Care - Painted Leaf Begonia Houseplant Care Begonia Plant Pruning: How And When To Prune A Begonia Plant Unlike other types of legginess, this is not caused by excessive growth. You want to switch out the saturated soil for fresh, moist soil. Dip each piece into hormone rooting powder and shake off the excess. Begonias are just as at home in a pot as they are in the garden. How to Divide Rex Begonias - BBC Gardeners World Magazine With a moderate growth rate, rex begonias may grow to less than 12 inches in a year. On transplant day, dig a hole sufficient to accommodate the begonia's root ball or tubers (in the case of tuberous begonia). It is perfectly acceptable to lop off the entire top of your leggy begonia. Let the soil surface become dry to the touch before watering. Expect one or two plants per cut. Its both economical and satisfying to watch your sad, leggy begonia transform into a thriving swarm of new plants. Its also the most common issue youll come across. Fill the tray with damp potting mix and youre ready for the fun part taking the cuttings! 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! To prevent transplant shock (common with heavy-handed transplants), water the plant 24hrs before the main event. This begonia is rhizomatous, growing from a thick, fleshy rhizome that grows just below the surface of the soil. Place your plant in the shade if grown outdoors. Turn the begonia leaf back over and press it into the seed-starting mix. You Might Also Like: After you've resolved the initial problem, prune your plant from the top-down, removing the leggy parts. If the begonia will be transplanted to an outdoors location, prepare the soil about 7 to 10 to days before planting by adding aged manure or compost and mix into the soil. Plants are root bound when you can't insert a pencil into a drainage holes on the pot. This is how you may get more of these wonderful plants for free. Once fall hits, the plant goes dormant. Taxonomy browser (Begonia rex) - National Center for Biotechnology Garden Guides | Care of Rex Begonias Here are some other cool Begonia species to check out. Have a lovely tuberous begonia who has been blooming well since August but is leggy now in December. Fertilise every two weeks with a liquid houseplant fertiliser. Use a pair of sterilized pruning shears to get your leaf cutting. The scorch marks can be either dark or white. This article is about how to care for Begonia rex. 1. Dip the cut end in a rooting hormone. Lush Garden 5.95K subscribers 108K views 2 years ago #begoniarex #waterpropagation #begoniarex. Protecting your leaf cutting from harm while it starts to root is important. Aggressive Drainage. How to Fix A Leggy Begonia - Garden For Indoor Use a well diluted balanced plant feed monthly in the spring and summer. Make sure you sit your plant a few inches away instead of sitting it right under the light. External Information Resources (NCBI . Or pink with silver edges. Rhizomatous varieties, such as the popular begonia rex, are even easier, requiring only a single leaf in water to produce a new addition to your collection. How to Propagate Rex Begonias from Leaf Cuttings | Garden Gate Keep it out of direct sunlight, but in a warm, well-lit spot. Begin by removing the tallest, thinnest stalks. Like most Begonia species, such as Begonia maculata, the Begonia rex is easy to care for. Even the best specimen plant can only be expected to thrive for a few years. It needs bright but indirect sunlight and the soil should always be slightly moist. Use liquid fertilizer weekly at quarter strength or at half strength every two weeks. Step 2 - Prepare the New Location. Start as many leaves as will fit in your tray or pot without the leaves touching. Because your begonia cannot afford to produce both stems and leaves, it focuses on stems in the hope of achieving better illumination. Ensure it bears at least one leaf node. But most come with leaves in a pretty pink with blackened edges. I mist mine daily and water the soil once a week. They bloom in several colors, including pink, orange, and red. Overgrowth occurs in all begonias, but it is most noticeable in cane begonias. Straight perlite is very easy for starting new rhizomes. The leaves on this plant can grow to about 6 inches in width. And the Begonia rex isnt the only wonder species out there. After youve trimmed your plant to the desired height, pinch off new growth sprouting at the top on a regular basis. Here is where you will find the Rex begonias, Dragon Wing begonias, and other specialty ones like Eyelash begonias. Begonia propagation is just as easy without it. My begonia is so leggy that I wonder if when I cut it I can cut the stems several times to propagate them? 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. This is a common method for dividing hardy begonias. 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. Now you care for the new plant like you do the mother, Rex. When an infestation is too big for you to handle, consider pesticides. Make sure the sun or artificial light isnt shining right on the plant. First, let's talk about the best light for Cissus discolor when it is grown as a houseplant year-round. A few stones may help keep the begonia leaf from curling up and away from the mix, as well. Ultimate Guide to Rex Begonia Plant Care at Home And the soil should be porous and fast-draining soil. 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. Slightly moist soil is ideal for painted leaf begonias, but excess moisture will cause root rot, so make sure the water drains properly from the pot and you empty the saucer of excess water. The easiest method is to buy a humidifier. 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. Begonia fungicide is available at garden centres. The cutting should then be placed in a clean pot filled with moistened potting mix. Rex Begonia Propagation| How to Propagate Rex Begonia from Stem Cuttings Begonia Rex - How to Grow Care - Painted Leaf Begonia - Houseplant411 See those tiny plants unfurling? How to grow begonias - Better Homes And Gardens 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. You can also use artificial lights for this Begonia. Deer will eat the former and turn up their noses with the latter. 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. To be cautious, I always rinse all my supplies (and my hands) in a solution of 1 teaspoon bleach to 1 quart of water. Dont be afraid! 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. This is because of []. 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.