A leggy begonia, like an adolescent, is one that is rapidly growing. Cut away any shrivelled or soft and rotten sections of the tuber and discard these. Stick to the plan above, and your bundle of twigs will be restored to its verdant glory in no time. The Rex Begonia requires bright but indirect sunlight. Propagating a Begonia rex doesnt have to be complicated. Fill the plant pot with porous and fast-draining soil. How to Care for Rex Begonias - The Spruce Check weekly. Get rid of these infected leaves right away. These cuts (and the stem cut) are where the new plantlets will form. External Information Resources (NCBI . Begonia seeds are tiny and you might mistake them for dust or pollen. In no time you should start to see new growth springing up from the site of the old, woody stems. A few stones may help keep the begonia leaf from curling up and away from the mix, as well. Bright indirect sunlight, and can tolerate direct sunlight too. You dont want it to take off again, so keep an eye on it. Rex Begonia Care - Painted Leaf Begonia Houseplant Care Its important to pay careful attention to your plant so you can fix any problems as they arise. Tuberous begonia. How to Grow and Care for Begonia Rex - Florgeous When you cut a leaf, make sure the leaf-cutting has three inches of the petiole attached. Can you divide Rex Begonias? Sometimes called painted-leaf begonias or fancy-leaf begonias, these plants are known for their variegated leaves. Managine Pests in Gardens: BegoniaBegoniaspp. Whats more, dividing rex begonias reinvigorates them and makes them grow better. Remove the begonia from its container and gently tease the roots apart, position it in the pot and backfill around it. Fertilize your begonia no more than once a month during the growing season for best results. I have a question. Among the various types of begonias, Begonia rex is one of the most beautiful and dramatic plants. Taxon 67(2): 267-323. Find a rex begonia leaf you want to propagate and cut it off the plant. Flip the begonia leaf over and use your knife to make a 12-inch cut across five or six of the main veins. Begonias require less light than most house plants. How to Grow and Care for Begonia Rex Indoors - Homeplantsguide Its both economical and satisfying to watch your sad, leggy begonia transform into a thriving swarm of new plants. Beefsteak geranium,King begonia,painted-leaf begonia,Rex begonia. Another method involves spritzing the leaves of your plant now and then. A systemic fungicide can help. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Use as many as you need to hold the leaf flat. Cut the germinated tubers longitudinally, each with 1 to 2 buds, and plant in a pot after the incision is dried. Cut the stem off all the way back to the base of the leaf. The seeds . Be careful not to over-water your plant, though. 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. Because rhizomes have shallow roots, a shallow pot will do. The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. But they can get pricey. Water Rex begonias require regular water, but be careful not to overwater them. Because you can only cut once, consider what you want to keep and what needs to go. It was published in 1857. University of Connecticut Home and Garden Information Center. By using our site, you agree to our. Active Interest Media Holdco, Inc. Copyright 2023. Using a little bit of root tone and a small amount of fungicide to keep the roots healthy as they grow, you can propagate a Rex Begonia like a pro. 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. The Begonia tuberous plant creates beautiful pink flowers. Expect one or two plants per cut. University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources. Water when the top 1 of soil becomes almost dry about once a week. The petiole is the stalk that attaches the leaf blade to the plant stem. The flowers can turn orange, pink, and white. This is usually in March. There are three types of begonia propagation: stem cuttings, leaf cuttings, and division. . Move your Begonia Rex to an eastern exposure and the new leaves will be fine. Now you care for the new plant like you do the mother, Rex. 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. Begonias are prone to fungal infections, and bleach kills any lurkers. Rex begonias do best in moderate temperatures (60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit) and moderately high humidity (around 50 percent). If it has, remove the rotten roots. To do this, you want to cover the leaf-cutting in plastic wrap. It should have drainage holes. I mist mine daily and water the soil once a week. Even the best specimen plant can only be expected to thrive for a few years. Divide the leaf into sections about 2cm long, each with . Allow fleshy cuts to dry for an hour before potting. 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. Allow the top layer of soil to become completely dry in between waterings. Dividing and conquering the fastest-growing genus: Towards a natural sectional classification of the mega-diverse genus Begonia (Begoniaceae). And the Begonia rex isnt the only wonder species out there. Fill an 8-inch diameter pot with well-draining soil mix. Begonia tubers increase in size each year and after three years or so, the flower display will begin to deteriorate. Brush off the excess soil and inspect the rhizome to find the buds. Its a great way to get your begonia bushing out instead of legging it upwards. As a result, you might find that the same crosses have different names in different garden centers. Once the roots have dried, its time to plant them. The Rex Begonia originates in areas without salt in the water. This makes them easier to work with because theyre easier to see. 6. The Begonia is a stunning houseplant with colored leaves that grows from a rhizome. Mealybugs like to feed on the sap from the inside of a plant. 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. Step 2: Take a leaf cutting from your rex begonia. 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. There is a major downside to spritzing the Rex Begonia. Gently transplant the babies into 3-inch pots. Rex Begonia Propagation -The Plant Farm - YouTube Begin by removing the tallest, thinnest stalks. Tamp down the medium to hold the cutting upright. Painted-Leaf Begonia Plant Care: How to Grow Rex Begonia The biggest way to prevent plant pests is to examine all new plants before you bring them into your home. Fill the remainder of the container with the potting mix, carefully firming it up around the begonia and being sure not to plant any deeper than it was growing in its nursery pot. Pot in well-draining soil and feed with a balanced fertilizer in the spring and early summer months. Ensure it bears at least one leaf node. Rex begonia can be difficult to grow because of its need for high humidity. 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. 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! Because they are not aggressive bloomers, they can tolerate less light than other begonias and will thrive under fluorescent lights. Begonias: houseplants / RHS Gardening - Royal Horticultural Society Here are some supplies and tools we find essential in our everyday work in the garden. Harrington's specialties include small business information, crafting, decorating and gardening. This is how you may get more of these wonderful plants for free. Then simply immerse the entire stalk in water. The leaves on this plant can grow to about 6 inches in width. It takes about 1,000,000 begonia seeds to make up 1 ounce, with each seed weighing about 28 micrograms. Then go ahead and fill the tray with water. Rex-cultorum begonias can be propagated in three ways, based on their type: by softwood cuttings, by leaf cuttings, or by dividing the rhizomes in summer. The best time to divide is during the repotting period in the spring or summer. The bright side is if you find an infestation early, its easy to get rid of. A few stones may help keep the begonia leaf from curling up and away from the mix, as well. Then, to keep the cuts in contact with the mix, start pushing T-pins through the leaf into the soil. Rex Begonias are not difficult to divide and propagate, which comes in handy as individual plants usually don't have a very long lifespan. They assume that the plant needs more water. You Might Also Like: After reading this, I am quite confident that I can now save my favorite plants, and to have many more! It's available in various colors. Texas A&M University AgriLife Extension Plant Disease Handbook. Easy Houseplants - Begonias. Amend the medium with a couple of tablespoons of ground limestone to help control humidity. It suffocates the pests within only minutes. Begonia rex plants are prone to mildew and fungi. And make sure your plant is always getting bright but indirect sunlight. Temperature and Humidity The soil should be watered to feel slightly, but evenly moist. growing fancy-leaf begonias, indoors and out - A Way To Garden We empower you to efficiently solve each new challenge and make your life better and easier. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. High humidity isnt necessary for a Rex begonia. I knew I could propagate the leaves, I. Straight perlite is very easy for starting new rhizomes. Houseplant Help: 5 Tips to Keep Finicky Begonia Rex Alive You may get several cuttings depending on the size of your leaf. Over-watering can make your plant sick and fast. Then, to keep the cuts in contact with the mix, start pushing T-pins through the leaf into the soil. How to Plant, Grow, and Care For Begonias - All About Gardening This article has been viewed 38,009 times. Use a pair of sterilized pruning shears to get your leaf cutting. This is how you may get more of these wonderful plants for free. How to Propagate Rex Begonias from Leaf Cuttings | Garden Gate 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. Consider using a grow light if you cant find a good bright spot. These mites arent actual insects but arachnids instead. Its a very satisfying way to keep your begonias dramatic foliage. The weaker stems lean and nod, and your plant takes up more room in your arrangement. On transplant day, dig a hole sufficient to accommodate the begonia's root ball or tubers (in the case of tuberous begonia). Its best to do your pruning in the warmer months when the plant is growing, too. . Other common problems caused by over-watering include yellowing leaves, fungi, and stunted growth. After youve resolved the initial problem, prune your plant from the top-down, removing the leggy parts. 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. 1. Rex Begonia Propagation tips #planttips #fypyoutube #propagation # How to Water Houseplants Water sparingly and allow to drain. Let them dry before you head on to the next step. Rather, your plant is balding, which many older gardeners can certainly relate to! The most toxic parts of this plant grow underground. Make sure the soil is always moist. If youre afraid to damage the roots, use pruning shears for this step. Its easy to do, especially when keeping the soil moist. Rex begonias are a special group, because we grow them for their beautiful leaves. Lush Garden 5.95K subscribers 108K views 2 years ago #begoniarex #waterpropagation #begoniarex. Gather the items on the "Materials & Tools" list above. Above: Moist soil, happy begonia. Cover the whole cutting and pot with a plastic bag to help maintain the proper moisture levels needed for a begonia. Fading leaves on a Begonia rex indicate too much direct sunlight. Plant with the flat or concave section of the root facing up. Continue reading to learn how to turn this unfortunate circumstance into a win for your indoor garden. It should be getting bright indirect light. Make sure the plant never dries out. During the warmer months, take the time to pinch off new growth at the plants crown. However, while they do best in partial shade and indirect light, this is not the same as no light at all. Get the plant pot ready. Gently remove the begonia from its container and immediately transplant it into the new medium. Step 2 - Prepare the New Location. This plant dislikes cold temperatures. This stops any plant disease from spreading. 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. You could also put your leaf cuttings in an east window as long as the temperature stays consistently warm. In the video, Alan of The Plant Farm talks about the unique Rex Begonia and how to propagate it. Fill a small pot with moistened seed-starting medium. long stem cutting from a healthy Begonia Rex. Rex begonias are a colourful addition to your indoor or patio potted plants. Using a little bit of root tone and a small amount of fungicide to keep. This can take about two or three weeks. Using a shovel or flat-edged spade, slice completely around the outer perimeter of the plant, a few inches away from the foliage. Dont remove the plastic wrap until a few new leaves have grown. Begonias are prone to fungal infections, and bleach kills any lurkers. Learn more Rex begonias are striking known as painted-leaf begonias or fancy-leaf begonias because of their stunning leaf coloration. Brush off the excess soil and inspect the rhizome to find the buds. Rex Begonia Plant - Care, Growing, Watering, Propagation Rex Begonia House Plants - Begonia rex Picture, Care Tips Begonia rex 'Putzeys' | The American Begonia Society Step 3: Cut the rex begonia leaf. You can test the moisture with your finger. Begonias are just as at home in a pot as they are in the garden. Youll know you have a mealybug infestation if you see cotton fluff covering your plant. 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. Spider mites love Begonias as well. They are resilient and thrive under that level of pruning. An older begonia may become leggy as the leaves on its older stems fall off. Once the plant pot is ready to go, you can go ahead and plant the leaf-cutting. A leggy begonia appears bare, with an insufficient amount of foliage. - . Fill the tray with damp potting mix and youre ready for the fun part taking the cuttings! All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. Powdery mildew is a pain to get rid of, but its possible with a lot of effort. Keep it out of direct sunlight, but in a warm, well-lit spot. This is a common method for dividing hardy begonias. 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. Take a transparent bottle half filled with water. Cut apart the tuber with a sharp knife, leaving three growing eyes on each piece. Rex begonias are semi-tropical perennial plants native to Asia, usually grown as house plants. Place your plant or bury the rhizome in a shallow container filled with rich, aerated plant mix. Letting the cut sides dry overnight before replanting as well as the use of fungicide helps prevent this. Flip the begonia leaf over and make a -inch cut across five or six of the largest veins with your knife. First, let's talk about the best light for Cissus discolor when it is grown as a houseplant year-round. Clip just above growth nodes to give the plant something to work with as it grows new leaves. Your begonia, regardless of variety, requires partial shade to bright, indirect light to thrive. 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. How Much Light Do Anthuriums Need? 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. Step 3: Cut the rex begonia leaf. Divide rex begonia in early spring right before the plant begins growing again. Dip the cut end in a rooting hormone. Examine your growing environment and choose a location for your newly trimmed begonia that receives more light than its previous location. For a Begonia, use regular houseplant fertilizer at half strength every two to three weeks in spring and summer. Use regular houseplant fertilizer tri-weekly diluted to half-strength. And always make sure the first inch of soil is dry before you water your Begonia rex. Place each leaf cutting on the surface of a tray of moist seed raising mix. Your plant will get plenty of sun but it wont receive direct sunlight. Divide the plant by prising the root ball apart from the top, being careful to keep buds on each section. Press seeds onto the surface of the medium and cover them lightly with milled sphagnum. This is it! How to Grow Rex Begonia Rex begonias are grown from seed and require about four months to reach maturity before being ready for flowering. These strange plant pests are soft-bodied. Begonia rhizomes are sensitive to soggy soil or overwatering and may rot. 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. Fill a 4-inch container with commercial potting mixture. Its not uncommon for a clipped cane to produce two new shoots, resulting in an overall thicker and bushier plant. After you've resolved the initial problem, prune your plant from the top-down, removing the leggy parts. Rex Begonia Propagation| How to Propagate Rex Begonia from Stem Cuttings Finally, pinch back stray leaves on a regular basis to keep your begonia lush. Rex begonias grow from a rhizome, which is a root system that sprouts buds and roots to grow into the plant. The soil for your Begonia should always be moist. Slice down several inches deepat least 6 inches for most plants and more for extremely large, well-rooted plants. 1. . It came from Assam, India which is in the Himalayan foothills. Theyre tiny and hard to detect. Cover your container with its dome or plastic wrap. Rex Begonia. 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. Rex begonias are a colourful addition to your indoor or patio potted plants. The rex begonia requires at least 50 perecnet humidity and careful watering that keeps the soil moist but not too wet. Water once the to 1-inch of soil is dry once a week. But be careful not to let the plastic touch the leaves or you could risk fungal problems. Dividing Tuberous Begonias - Knowledgebase Question - Garden.org All rights reserved. The water will evaporate over time, keeping humidity in the air at all times. How to Propagate Rex Begonias from Leaf Cuttings - Garden Gate Avoid direct sunlight, but any location with good diffuse light will encourage your begonia to bloom with an abundance of alluring foliage. You Might Also Like: Check for rot in your cuttings once a week. A leggy begonia reminds me of a teenager in the middle of a growth spurt, gangly and out of proportion, and theres some truth to that. If you have a hanging basket or a table-top pot of . You can use a pair of sterilized pruning shears to do this. Use a garden fork to dig a healthy wax begonia plant. How to propagate Rex Begonia in water? How to Divide Rex Begonias | eHow UK Brush fungicide onto each cut surface of the roots to prevent disease. Here are some tips for the most common plant problems youll encounter. Use as many as you need to hold the leaf flat. Spider mites also feed on the sap from your plant. And some are smooth, some fuzzy. Grow them there until theyre big enough to put in the garden or transplant into more permanent pots. Begonia Transplant Guide - How And When To Repot Begonias Debra LaGattuta is a gardening expert with three decades of experience in perennial and flowering plants, container gardening, and raised bed vegetable gardening. It should sit right under the top layer. You may have everything you need at home already. 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. When it comes to repotting, your choice of potting medium is critical. 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