Stem cuttings are very simple. A leggy begonia appears bare, with an insufficient amount of foliage. Rex Begonia can also reproduce by dividing tubers. This Begonia species have leaves with a fun fuzzy feel. It isnt too good to be true! This is a common method for dividing hardy begonias. . Because rhizomes have shallow roots, a shallow pot will do. Set Up Your Apiary With the Best Beekeeping Supplies, Create a Safe Deer Feeding Station With the Best Deer Feeder, Become More Efficient With the Best Rubber Buckets, Declutter Your Outdoor Space With the Best Deck Boxes, Liven up Your Lawn With the Best Grass Paints, Create a Relaxing Sitting Space With the Best Gazebos, Optimize Your Orchids Growth With the Best Orchid Fertilizers, Improve Your Gardens Soil Health With the Best Fish Fertilizers, Relax and Unwind With the Best Inflatable Hot Tubs, Best Patio Sets to Level up Your Outdoor Space, Seclude Your Garden with the Best Outdoor Privacy Screens, Unleash Your Flower Power With the Best Fresh Flowers, Safeguard Your Equipment With the Best Riding Lawn Mower Covers, Guarantee Extra Protection With the Best Lawn Mower Covers. My begonia is so leggy that I wonder if when I cut it I can cut the stems several times to propagate them? A Begonia rex fools many plant lovers with dry leaves. Lift the Rex begonia tuber from the pot with a spade or your hands. Very good article. Expect one or two plants per cut. You want to switch out the saturated soil for fresh, moist soil. By using our site, you agree to our. This article has been viewed 38,009 times. % of people told us that this article helped them. Fertilise every two weeks with a liquid houseplant fertiliser. Your begonia has indicated this need by stretching its leaves in the direction of a brighter light source. Propagating Begonia rex. You'll notice if the leaves of your lovely rex begonia begin to wilt, which is one of its most common problems. Cover your container with its dome or plastic wrap. What are the Anthurium Roots Above the Soil? Dont be afraid! But be careful not to let the plastic touch the leaves or you could risk fungal problems. A systemic fungicide can help. Insert the garden fork about 6 inches from the plant so the roots won't be damaged by the fork. If you can squeeze water from the medium, it is too wet. But doing this can mean accidentally over-watering your plant, which makes using fast-draining soil super important. You should also make sure theres good air circulation near your plant. Jun 1, 2021 - Rex begonias make excellent house plants, and are easy to divide so you can gift them to friends. Its both economical and satisfying to watch your sad, leggy begonia transform into a thriving swarm of new plants. These cuts (and the stem cut) are where the new plantlets will form. Ive cut each vein about an inch from the central vein in the photo above. University of Connecticut Home and Garden Information Center. Unlike other houseplants, bigger plant pots are better. 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. Begonias are just as at home in a pot as they are in the garden. Rex begonias are semi-tropical perennial plants native to Asia, usually grown as house plants. have carefully selected these products for their usefulness and quality. Fill the plant pot with porous and fast-draining soil. Its beautiful leaves are sensitive to direct sunlight. The original leaf probably will have torn apart and may have even disintegrated. . Theyre perfect for the pastel plant lover. Use as many as you need to hold the leaf flat. Sometimes called painted-leaf begonias or fancy-leaf begonias, these plants are known for their variegated leaves. Brush fungicide onto each cut surface of the roots to prevent disease. Turn the begonia leaf back over and press it into the seed-starting mix. Plus, you want to trap in moisture so itll grow quicker. Begonia rexis the basis for many hundreds of hybrids, and its forms are too numerous to count. You can root these cuttings in perlite, potting soil, or any other sterile media. Gather the items on the "Materials & Tools" list above. 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. Among the various types of begonias, Begonia rex is one of the most beautiful and dramatic plants. Clip just above growth nodes to give the plant something to work with as it grows new leaves. Other common problems caused by over-watering include yellowing leaves, fungi, and stunted growth. Check weekly. Debra is a member of The Spruce Gardening andPlant Care Review Board. Once a nice cluster of roots has formed, they can be potted as a separate plant in their own right. Spray the mixture with water until it's damp clear through, but not dripping. The rex begonia plant thrives in humid environments and exposure to bright indirect sunlight. Its a natural oil and isnt known to harm many plants. To be cautious, I always rinse all my supplies (and my hands) in a solution of 1 teaspoon bleach to 1 quart of 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. Tamp down the medium to hold the cutting upright. Begonia rex Putz. If you do this too often, it can create powdery mildew. Plus, there will be minimal damage to your plant. Do not mist, increase humidity with humidifier or pebble tray. They come in various colors, the most common color being green. Mealybugs like to feed on the sap from the inside of a plant. To do this, you want to cover the leaf-cutting in plastic wrap. 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 plant cannot photosynthesize and produce food if it is not exposed to light. Lay the plants roots on a paper towel. 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. Make sure you sit your plant a few inches away instead of sitting it right under the light. You have to remove all the infected leaves, so it doesnt spread. 100K views 9 years ago In the video, Alan of The Plant Farm talks about the unique Rex Begonia and how to propagate it. Keep it out of direct sunlight, but in a warm, well-lit spot. But they will also let you know if they feel that their water, light, and soil conditions are a bit off for their liking. After you've resolved the initial problem, prune your plant from the top-down, removing the leggy parts. According to Cornell University, your Begonia is susceptible to this disease in wet or humid environments. 1. Ensure it bears at least one leaf node. All of that summer zeal will end up in the leaves, giving you a display of growth to be proud of. These strange plant pests are soft-bodied. Then, place the vase or glass containing the plant in a light and warm spot to provide the perfect growing conditions. The rex begonia requires at least 50 perecnet humidity and careful watering that keeps the soil moist but not too wet. Avoid putting a pin through a main leaf vein, or that vein may not root. 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. If youre afraid to damage the roots, use pruning shears for this step. If there are several plants in one pot, they will crowd together. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. Deer will eat the former and turn up their noses with the latter. This begonia requires high humidity during the growing period. Etiolation is the rapid growth of the portion of the stem between the leaves. Insert the cuttings in moist, free-draining potting mix and place the set up in a warm, shaded place. Take a long stem cutting from a mature rex begonia plant with single foliage. Rex begonias need thorough watering but should not be overwatered. What if I told you that you could propagate a bunch of beautiful rex begonias for almost nothing? Find out to divide your rex begonia house plants, in our step-by-step guide. How to Divide Bearded Irises Pin the leaf down so that each cut makes good contact with the seed-starting mix. This means they steal the hydration and nutrition from the plant. The biggest way to prevent plant pests is to examine all new plants before you bring them into your home. 2. Tiny White Bugs In Soil The Truth Revealed! 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. Mist the foliage of Rex (foliage) type begonias twice a week or provide high humidity to avoid leaf drop. Simply keeping your new dense delight well-watered and well-lit will result in thicker, more luscious growth. Step 2: Take a leaf cutting from your rex begonia. Water until it begins dripping from the bottom drainage holes to ensure it is moist throughout. Once fall hits, the plant goes dormant. It suffocates the pests within only minutes. Begonia rex plants can quickly get mildew or fungal diseases. The plant needs more light, but not intense light. When the plants are 3 inches tall and have at least two leaves, theyre ready to lift. Cut a healthy leaf. Begonias grown indoors are especially susceptible to root rot and overwatering. There is an entire group of hybrid begonias that the world knows as Rex Cultorum meaning that they can all trace their . 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. This stops any plant disease from spreading. How to Divide 45 Favorite Perennials And make sure your plant is always getting bright but indirect sunlight. Keep your leaf cutting near 70 degrees and give it plenty of humidity. It came from Assam, India which is in the Himalayan foothills. These elegant plants arent hard to propagate. Begonias shed their lower leaves as they grow older. Let the surface of the soil get dry to the touch before watering. Begonia rex is toxic to pets such as cats, dogs, and horses, according to ASCPA. 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. Because you can only cut once, consider what you want to keep and what needs to go. The flowers can turn orange, pink, and white. Ideal daytime temperatures are around 70 degrees Fahrenheit, nighttime temperatures around 60 degrees, and a constant humidity level around 50 percent. Salsa Rex begonia is a silver-leaf type that's variegated with shades of green and burgundy-red. Cover the whole cutting and pot with a plastic bag to help maintain the proper moisture levels needed for a begonia. 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. 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. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Rex begonias grow from a rhizome, which is a root system that sprouts buds and roots to grow into the plant. Develop the tech skills you need for work and life. Place each leaf cutting on the surface of a tray of moist seed raising mix. The Begonia tuberous plant creates beautiful pink flowers. Temperature and Humidity Rex Begonia plants are rhizomatous plants. A Begonia rex needs porous fast-draining soil using peat moss, perlite, and vermiculite. Above: Moist soil, happy begonia. Unlike other types of legginess, this is not caused by excessive growth. Like many other Begonias, the Begonia rex is susceptible to several plant issues. Place the cutting at a 45-degree angle in a fresh pot of peat moss and perlite. Rex begonias make excellent presents and are easy to divide. 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, . 2 Let the soil surface become dry to the touch before watering. [], [] want to dilute the neem oil with water in a spray bottle. Flip the begonia leaf over and use your knife to make a 12-inch cut across five or six of the main veins. 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. 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. Finally, pinch back stray leaves on a regular basis to keep your begonia lush. Remove the stem with a sharp knife and slice the leaf into wedges, each piece with a main vein. Cut the tuber with a sharp knife directly between the two stems. 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 water shouldnt flow over the pebbles. Keep your leaf cutting near 70 degrees and give it plenty of humidity. It was published in 1857. The roots should be completely covered in soil. Brush off the excess soil and inspect the rhizome to find the buds. It can harm or even kill your plant. This article is about how to care for Begonia rex. Let me show you the secret to propagating rex begonias from leaf cuttings. Make sure the plant never dries out. You should only fertilize this plant during the growing season when new growth emerges. Here are some other cool Begonia species to check out. Make sure you pack the soil tightly around the cutting. Grown for their foliage, the leaves come in shades of green, red, pink and silver. Toxic to pets such as cats and dogs and horses. 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. They frequently have large leaves (up to 6 inches long) that are brightly colored in various shades of green, red, silver, and even purple. Po each piece into individual pots of new compost, making sure each portion of rootball is planted at the same depth it was originally. 2023 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. This will help make it stand up. This moisture goes straight to your plant since it sits atop the water source. Divide rhizomatous begonias in spring, ensuring that each portion of the rhizome bears one or more growing points. 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. 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. The best temperature is 65-75F (18-24C). You start by filling a tray with smooth pebbles. Be careful not to over-water your plant, though. Is the Begonia rex plant toxic to animals? Bright indirect sunlight, and can tolerate direct sunlight too. The most toxic parts of this plant grow underground. Managine Pests in Gardens: BegoniaBegoniaspp. Cuttings taken from leggy specimens are a great way to start new plants. These leaves are arranged in an asymmetrical manner on the stems. So, they water the plant more and more. But if you place a piece of paper under your plant and shake it, you should see them fall. Use liquid fertilizer weekly at quarter strength or at half strength every two weeks. Well walk you through both methods step-by-step down below. A temperature between 65-75F (18-24C) is ideal. Whats more, dividing rex begonias reinvigorates them and makes them grow better. tall and wide (25-30 cm). This is how you may get more of these wonderful plants for free. Regarding the Rex Begonia, you want to repot in a shallow pot. Find out how, in our step-by-step guide. It is perfectly acceptable to lop off the entire top of your leggy begonia. Begonias are some of my favorite indoor plants. Rex begonias are a colourful addition to your indoor or patio potted plants. Avoid putting a pin through a main leaf vein, or that vein may not root. . Grow them there until theyre big enough to put in the garden or transplant into more permanent pots. 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. They thrive on humidity but be careful if misting leaves that they don't stay too wet and encourage powdery mildew. Dip the cut end in a rooting hormone. Read our. Begonia rex Taxonomy ID: 200043 (for references in articles please use NCBI:txid200043) current name. 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. Finally, pinch back stray leaves on a regular basis to keep your begonia lush. Rex begonias can also be propagated by pinning a leaf to the bedding mix and making small incisions in the leaf veins or by inserting a leaf (with a petiole) directly into the soil. Replant the original piece and pot or plant the remaining piece. Using a little bit of root tone and a small amount of fungicide to keep. But you can also propagate this plant through leaf cuttings. - . Rex begonias grow from a rhizome, which is a root system that sprouts buds and roots to grow into the plant. Youll want to use the root division process for the best results. #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. The easiest method to turn one Rex Begonia into two (or more) Rex Begonias is by dividing the . This plant pot should have drainage holes on the bottom. You can purchase this Rooting Powder in our retail store, The Plant Farm located in Spokane Valley, WA. Leave them in place until they start to get in the way. After youve trimmed your plant to the desired height, pinch off new growth sprouting at the top on a regular basis. Begonia propagation is just as easy without it. If you grow cane or wing begonias, give this technique a try with them, as well! For a previously leggy plant, a good all-purpose balanced liquid fertilizer is ideal. Rex begonias grow from a rhizome, which is a root system that sprouts buds and roots to grow into the plant. Maintain the soil moist until new growth emerges. You Might Also Like: As a result, you might find that the same crosses have different names in different garden centers. Its usually an easy process if you know what steps to take. Then you can use the mix to spray down your plant. This will double the chance of being successful with propagation. Let the soil dry between waterings and avoid overwatering as it may cause fungal diseases or rot. Then, to keep the cuts in contact with the mix, start pushing T-pins through the leaf into the soil. 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. You may have everything you need at home already. Expect one or two plants per cut. Alternatively, you can propagate using water as a medium for Begonias. If you see silver or grey spores on your plant, it has Botrytis Blight disease. You can use a pair of sterilized pruning shears to do this. How to Divide Bearded Irises. A temperature between 65-75F (18-24C) is ideal. But most come with leaves in a pretty pink with blackened edges. 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. Porous soil allows excess water to drain instead of holding onto all that unneeded water. Divide the vine into smaller pieces, ensuring each has at least two or three leaves. Powdery mildew is a pain to get rid of, but its possible with a lot of effort. If planting outdoors, do so in May after frosts, but plant anytime indoors. High humidity isnt necessary for a Rex begonia. 4. To do this, simply cut a 4-6 inch section from a healthy stem and remove the lower leaves. Flip the begonia leaf over and make a -inch cut across five or six of the largest veins with your knife. All rights reserved. Using a shovel or flat-edged spade, slice completely around the outer perimeter of the plant, a few inches away from the foliage. The original Rex Begonia had dark leaves with wonderful silver designs. Keep the temperature setting at about 70 degrees. This plant disease can destroy a plant. Amend the medium with a couple of tablespoons of ground limestone to help control humidity. These begonias have gorgeous flowers with frilly edges. This is because of []. You can care for the leaf-cutting as you do the original Begonia rex. Moisten the sphagnum with a sprayer, then cover with glass or plastic wrap to keep moisture in. You should avoid freezing temperatures at all times. A few stones may help keep the begonia leaf from curling up and away from the mix, as well. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 38,009 times. Repot in spring when the rhizome outgrows the pot. Fading leaves on a Begonia rex indicate too much direct sunlight. Rex begonias are beautiful and easy to propagate from leaf cuttings. On the other hand separating the rhizome takes the most work since you need to get the plant out of its container. And always make sure the first inch of soil is dry before you water your Begonia rex. Divide the plant by prising the root ball apart from the top, being careful to keep buds on each section. Rex begonias are a colourful addition to your indoor or patio potted plants. Why are the leaves on my Begonia rex fading? This plant dislikes cold temperatures. By dividing/propagating plants you can continue to enjoy them throughout the years. How many Begonia rex plants can I put in one pot? Fill the tray with damp potting mix and youre ready for the fun part taking the cuttings! Allow fleshy cuts to dry for an hour before potting. You should fertilize your winter-blooming plants with a high-phosphorus, water-soluble fertilizer that contains little or no nitrogen. The Rex begonia is a rhizomatous plant with stems creeping on the surface. The original leaf probably will have torn apart and may have even disintegrated. How to Grow Tuberous Begonias Water Rex begonias require regular water, but be careful not to overwater them. To get rid of an infestation naturally, you should try neem oil. The temperature should be between 65-75F (18-24C). All rights reserved. If your plant is turning brown, with brittle leaves/dead leaves, it is likely to be one of three causes. Place the leaf-cutting, so its sticking out of the soil at a 45-degree angle. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. Your plant will get plenty of sun but it wont receive direct sunlight. The leaves on this plant can grow to about 6 inches in width. The first thing you do is to dig up your Rex Begonia plant. They need room to spread. You will want to be looking at the underneath side of the leaf. These elegant plants arent hard to propagate. Look for a healthy, full-grown leaf on the parent rex begonia plant. University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources. Tap water contains salt and other chemicals that can harm your plant. Consider using a systemic fungicide. Set Up Your Apiary With the Best Beekeeping Supplies, Create a Safe Deer Feeding Station With the Best Deer Feeder, Become More Efficient With the Best Rubber Buckets, Declutter Your Outdoor Space With the Best Deck Boxes, Liven up Your Lawn With the Best Grass Paints, Create a Relaxing Sitting Space With the Best Gazebos, Optimize Your Orchids Growth With the Best Orchid Fertilizers, Improve Your Gardens Soil Health With the Best Fish Fertilizers, Relax and Unwind With the Best Inflatable Hot Tubs, Best Patio Sets to Level up Your Outdoor Space, Seclude Your Garden with the Best Outdoor Privacy Screens, Unleash Your Flower Power With the Best Fresh Flowers, Safeguard Your Equipment With the Best Riding Lawn Mower Covers, Guarantee Extra Protection With the Best Lawn Mower Covers. have carefully selected these products for their usefulness and quality. The vast majority of begonias offered in the trade are hybrids so they cannot be accurately propagated from seed. You Might Also Like: Mix together well and moisten with water. The water will evaporate over time, keeping humidity in the air at all times.
how to divide a rex begonia