Allow fleshy cuts to dry for an hour before potting. It should have drainage holes. Dig up the begonia and then look to see where it naturally sections. Once you see the plant roots coming through the pots drainage holes, its time to re-pot it. Expect one or two plants per cut. This is it! Stick the leaf petioles or wedges into the soil, and slip the tray into a plastic bag. When it comes to fast-draining soil, porous soil works the best. When the plants are 3 inches tall and have at least two leaves, theyre ready to lift. How to Propagate Begonia Rex in Water by using a single leaf | plant 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! Mix together well and moisten with water. This causes begonias, particularly cane varieties such as the popular Polka Dot or Angel Wing varieties, to grow tall and lean, with few leaves along the stems. These leaves are arranged in an asymmetrical manner on the stems. You should only fertilize this plant during the growing season when new growth emerges. Rex begonias are a colourful addition to your indoor or patio potted plants. Rex Begonia Propagation| How to Propagate Rex Begonia from Stem Cuttings Cuttings taken from leggy specimens are a great way to start new plants. On the other hand separating the rhizome takes the most work since you need to get the plant out of its container. Begin by removing the tallest, thinnest stalks. Propagating Begonia rex. If your plant is turning brown, with brittle leaves/dead leaves, it is likely to be one of three causes. 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. But theyre covered in a cotton-like substance that protects them from outside forces. Water until it begins dripping from the bottom drainage holes to ensure it is moist throughout. Then, place the vase or glass containing the plant in a light and warm spot to provide the perfect growing conditions. Mealybugs like to feed on the sap from the inside of a plant. A Begonia rex fools many plant lovers with dry leaves. Easy Houseplants - Begonias. The weaker stems lean and nod, and your plant takes up more room in your arrangement. External Information Resources (NCBI . The rex begonia is toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. Leave them in place until they start to get in the way. Can Rex Begonias Be Cut Back - WHYIENJOY Anthurium Light Tips, How Cold Can Anthurium Tolerate Temperature and Humidity. Regular LED Lights vs. Grow Lights, just didn't know how. Powdery mildew is a pain to get rid of, but its possible with a lot of effort. - . Plantophiles.com is a participant in affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to affiliates. Make sure the soil is always moist. All you have to do [], Begonia Venosa Care - Guide To Plant Success | Plantophiles, [] you are interested in Begonia, other Begonia to have a look at are Begonia Rex, Begonia Darthvaderiana, Begonia [], Begonia Cucullata Care: Here's What You Need to Know | Plantophiles, [] can also gradually move your Begonia into lower light as time goes on, but keep in mind you will have to adapt it to bright light in the [], Begonia Bipinnatifida Care: Here's What's Important | Plantophiles, [] this Begonia is also very prone to powdery mildew and other fungal and bacterial diseases. Start as many leaves as will fit in your tray or pot without the leaves touching. How to Propagate Rex Begonias from Leaf Cuttings | Garden Gate Jon VanZile was a writer for The Spruce covering houseplants and indoor gardening for almost a decade. 2023 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. How To Propagate Rex Begonia? - RayaGarden Cut away any shrivelled or soft and rotten sections of the tuber and discard these. These mites arent actual insects but arachnids instead. Compact grow lights are very common and simple to use and will provide your begonia with the light levels it requires to stay in one place rather than legging it off in search of a brighter day. Keep your begonias in a growing environment that is between 58 72F (14 22C) for the best results. Join our Facebook Group About Houseplants and Gardening, propagate using water as a medium for Begonias, Mars Hydro VG80 Seedling LED Grow Light Review, 11 Worst Signs of Anthurium Root Rot Fix Anthurium Root Rot. At night, the temperature should never drop below 60F (16C). You dont want it to take off again, so keep an eye on it. Move your Begonia Rex to an eastern exposure and the new leaves will be fine. 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. But you can also propagate this plant through leaf cuttings. Step 2 - Cut with a sharp knife. The original leaf probably will have torn apart and may have even disintegrated. Let me show you the secret to propagating rex begonias from leaf cuttings. Its also the most common issue youll come across. Even though high humidity isnt required, it keeps the plant full, lush, and healthy. Unlike other houseplants, bigger plant pots are better. This plant can come in various colors depending on how its bred. Its a natural oil and isnt known to harm many plants. Cut apart the tuber with a sharp knife, leaving three growing eyes on each piece. They bloom in several colors, including pink, orange, and red. How to Divide Bearded Irises Pin the leaf down so that each cut makes good contact with the seed-starting mix. Rex begonias are not only lovely and graceful, but they are also very simple to cultivate from leaf cuttings. This article has been viewed 38,009 times. If there are several plants in one pot, they will crowd together. Rather, your plant is balding, which many older gardeners can certainly relate to! The leaves are hairy and wavy. Once your plant is soil-free, you must wash off the roots. How to Divide Rex Begonias | eHow UK Expect one or two plants per cut. I like to take leaf cuttings because its so fascinating to watch a single leaf sprout a whole bunch of babies. You could also put your leaf cuttings in an east window as long as the temperature stays consistently warm. You deal with powdery mildew when you see a white powdery substance all over your plant. Cissus discolor, also known as rex begonia vine, is an evergreen, perennial, flowering trailing plant in the grape or family Vitaceae native to Southeast Asia, . You can care for the leaf-cutting as you do the original Begonia rex. 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. There are several ways to create humidity for any indoor plant. The petiole is the stalk that attaches the leaf blade to the plant stem. Mixing plants in a small indoor pot is not recommended in general, but when it is literally parts of the same plant, you can avoid the pitfalls of over-planting your pot. Place the leaf-cutting, so its sticking out of the soil at a 45-degree angle. Begonias for the garden have different cultivation needs so the notes below will help guide you to success. Rhizomatous begonias such as the rex begonia can be easily propagated by. Begonia tubers increase in size each year and after three years or so, the flower display will begin to deteriorate. Texas A&M University AgriLife Extension Plant Disease Handbook. This plant dislikes cold temperatures. But they will also let you know if they feel that their water, light, and soil conditions are a bit off for their liking. How to Grow Rex Begonia Rex begonias are grown from seed and require about four months to reach maturity before being ready for flowering. Male and female flowers are borne separately on the same plant, the male . Dip each piece into hormone rooting powder and shake off the excess. Make sure the medium is evenly moist but not wet or soggy. 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. These strange plant pests are soft-bodied. Begonia seeds are tiny and you might mistake them for dust or pollen. 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. Your begonia, regardless of variety, requires partial shade to bright, indirect light to thrive. Step 1: Gather your materials for propagating rex begonias. Plus, you want to trap in moisture so itll grow quicker. 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 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. Do not put a Begonia where it gets a southern or even a western exposure. I like to take leaf cuttings because its so fascinating to watch a single leaf sprout a whole bunch of babies. Consider using a systemic fungicide. Its best to do your pruning in the warmer months when the plant is growing, too. Rex begonias are a colourful addition to your indoor or patio potted plants. Potting soil, peat moss, perlite, vermiculite. Rex Begonia can also reproduce by dividing tubers. Once the plant pot is ready to go, you can go ahead and plant the leaf-cutting. 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. This is especially true of cane begonias, which can grow to look almost like bamboo with careful, consistent care. The most toxic parts of this plant grow underground. Unlike other types of legginess, this is not caused by excessive growth. Fill a 4-inch container with commercial potting mixture.