Remove the lower leaves on each cutting, leaving the upper one or two leaves. Begonias are just as at home in a pot as they are in the garden. 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. . A few stones may help keep the begonia leaf from curling up and away from the mix, as well. Water Rex begonias like regular water but hate being overwatered. Remove the stem with a sharp knife and slice the leaf into wedges, each piece with a main vein. 2023 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. Male and female flowers are borne separately on the same plant, the male . You Might Also Like: Plus, you want to trap in moisture so itll grow quicker. Is it skewed in one direction? Active Interest Media Holdco, Inc. Copyright 2023. University of Vermont Extension Department of Plant and Soil Science. Make sure the soil is always moist. And always make sure the first inch of soil is dry before you water your Begonia rex. Cultivar Selection Begonia rex : Evergreen perennial to 30cm, with large, obliquely ovate leaves which are metallic green with a silvery zone on the upper surface, reddish beneath; panicles of small pink flowers in winter. 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. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Mix together well and moisten with water. 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. This can harm Begonias roots as well as the leaves. % of people told us that this article helped them. Painted-leaf begonia can be propagated in different ways, including: Leaf cuttings; Stem cuttings; Dividing the rhizome; Of the three, the most common is leaf cutting because it requires less work to set up. You dont want it to take off again, so keep an eye on it. Avoid direct sunlight, but any location with good diffuse light will encourage your begonia to bloom with an abundance of alluring foliage. The soil should be watered to feel slightly, but evenly moist. Always be careful during this process, you dont want to damage the Rex Begonia plants roots. How to Divide Bearded Irises Pin the leaf down so that each cut makes good contact with the seed-starting mix. Mealybugs are the biggest plant pest problem with this Begonia. Start as many leaves as will fit in your tray or pot without the leaves touching. Begonia propagation is just as easy without it. Begonia roots are prone to rot immediately after dividing. It can be challenging to find just the right conditions for rex begonia to display its best leaf color. Find out how, in our step-by-step guide. Make sure the medium is evenly moist but not wet or soggy. Powdery mildew is a pain to get rid of, but its possible with a lot of effort. So, they water the plant more and more. This means they steal the hydration and nutrition from the plant. Start as many leaves as will fit in your tray or pot without the leaves touching. Toxic to pets such as cats and dogs and horses. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. 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. It can harm or even kill your plant. Rex Begonia can also reproduce by dividing tubers. Divide rex begonia in early spring right before the plant begins growing again. Avoid putting a pin through a main leaf vein, or that vein may not root. Repot your begonias only when they are completely root-bound. Move your plant to a shadier area. Step 1 - Find a suitable tuber. To be cautious, I always rinse all my supplies (and my hands) in a solution of 1 teaspoon bleach to 1 quart of water. They frequently have large leaves (up to 6 inches long) that are brightly colored in various shades of green, red, silver, and even purple. These mites arent actual insects but arachnids instead. Begonia rex 'Putzey' came into cultivation as a stowaway plant that germinated on an orchid which was imported into England at the height of the Victorian plant collecting fever. Once the roots have dried, its time to plant them. Let me show you the secret to propagating rex begonias from leaf cuttings. Nothing should go to waste. How to split begonias? This can take about two or three weeks. Divide the leaf into sections about 2cm long, each with . Let the soil dry between waterings and avoid overwatering as it may cause fungal diseases or rot. The seeds . Texas A&M University AgriLife Extension Plant Disease Handbook. However, while they do best in partial shade and indirect light, this is not the same as no light at all. When an infestation is too big for you to handle, consider pesticides. 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. Begonias for the garden have different cultivation needs so the notes below will help guide you to success. Fill an 8-inch diameter pot with well-draining soil mix. The water will evaporate over time, keeping humidity in the air at all times. To fix a leggy begonia, first, determine what is causing the overgrowth and then correct it by increasing light, temperature, or changing the plant's pot. Trim the cutting to just below the next node along for cane or tuberous begonias. Place in a brightly lit, 60 to 70 degree F room and keep the soil moist but not soggy. Another method involves spritzing the leaves of your plant now and then. How to Water Houseplants The original Rex Begonia had dark leaves with wonderful silver designs. It isnt too good to be true! Plant with the flat or concave section of the root facing up. We empower you to efficiently solve each new challenge and make your life better and easier. Use a well-draining soil mix to care for Begonia rex and provide bright indirect light. 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. Rex begonias do best in moderate temperatures (60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit) and moderately high humidity (around 50 percent). Growth will slow in freezing temperatures and some types of begonias go into a dormant period during the winter due to lack of light. Use as many as you need to hold the leaf flat. Do not put a Begonia where it gets a southern or even a western exposure. Let the surface of the soil get dry to the touch before watering. For a previously leggy plant, a good all-purpose balanced liquid fertilizer is ideal. Rex begonias are a colourful addition to your indoor or patio potted plants. Besides a pest infestation, there may be other reasons why the leaves are wilting, including the following: Rex begonias are one of the easiest houseplants to care for and happy in many conditions. After you've placed your Begonia Rex seedlings into holes in the soil, cover them with soil and water them generously. A small infestation isnt a big deal; once it grows, your plant can be in big trouble. Water when the top 1" of soil becomes almost dry about once a week. Begonia rex Taxonomy ID: 200043 (for references in articles please use NCBI:txid200043) current name. They bloom in several colors, including pink, orange, and red. This Begonia creates both gorgeous leaves and flowers. Step 2 - Prepare the New Location. 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. Its important to pay careful attention to your plant so you can fix any problems as they arise. You should only fertilize this plant during the growing season when new growth emerges. Take a long stem cutting from a mature rex begonia plant with single foliage. Place each leaf cutting on the surface of a tray of moist seed raising mix. The biggest way to prevent plant pests is to examine all new plants before you bring them into your home. Here is where you will find the Rex begonias, Dragon Wing begonias, and other specialty ones like Eyelash begonias. Examine your growing environment and choose a location for your newly trimmed begonia that receives more light than its previous location. Replant the original piece and pot or plant the remaining piece. Step 1: Gather your materials for propagating rex begonias. Fibrous rooted and rhizomatous begonias do not die back once a year like tuberous begonias. 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. Rex begonias can be bought at the following online retailers: Logees, Amazon and Etsy, and many other online and offline shops. In the video, Alan of The Plant Farm talks about the unique Rex Begonia and how to propagate it. Can you divide Rex Begonias? These begonias have gorgeous flowers with frilly edges. Rex begonias make excellent presents and are easy to divide. Her published articles have appeared in various print and online publications. 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. Because of its thick stems, this Begonia is known as a fibrous Begonia. Propagate by leaf cuttings or sections of rhizome No pruning is required. 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. Let me show you the secret to propagating rex begonias from leaf cuttings. How Much Light Do Anthuriums Need? In most cases, it is easiest to divide a perennial plant by first digging and lifting the entire plant. 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. You can also use artificial lights for this Begonia. Pruning on a regular basis causes the plant to mature and develop a thicker set of stems. The best way to thicken the stem of your begonia is to simply wait. 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. Blight plant disease is challenging to battle. 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! Make sure you pack the soil tightly around the cutting. Salsa Rex begonia is a silver-leaf type that's variegated with shades of green and burgundy-red. The best temperature is 65-75F (18-24C). This is a common method for dividing hardy begonias. Ensure it bears at least one leaf node.