Rex Begonia plants are rhizomatous plants. Remove the stem with a sharp knife and slice the leaf into wedges, each piece with a main vein. It can be a tattered, older leaf, but on the underside, the main veins should be plump and undamaged. However, while they do best in partial shade and indirect light, this is not the same as no light at all. Divide the vine into smaller pieces, ensuring each has at least two or three leaves. In worst-case scenarios, it can kill your pet. Common Issues with Strawberry Begonia. You Might Also Like: The bright side is if you find an infestation early, its easy to get rid of. Water Rex begonias require regular water, but be careful not to overwater them. How To Propagate Rex Begonia? - RayaGarden Propagating Begonia rex. Slice down several inches deepat least 6 inches for most plants and more for extremely large, well-rooted plants. Expect one or two plants per cut. They thrive on humidity but be careful if misting leaves that they don't stay too wet and encourage powdery mildew. Then you can use the mix to spray down your plant. Tropicals & Tender Perennials:Need advice dividing rex begonia It contains Soluble calcium oxalates. You deal with powdery mildew when you see a white powdery substance all over your plant. Since you must wait for the roots to dry, prepare the plant pot. A systemic fungicide can help. "I've been losing all my beautiful leaves off most of my favorite plants! Make sure the medium is evenly moist but not wet or soggy. I am going to walk you through how to propagate Begonia using root division and through leaf cuttings. Provide 50% humidity. Direct sunlight can cause damage to this plant. Cut the leaf into wedges to do so lay the leaf flat on your work space. The original leaf probably will have torn apart and may have even disintegrated. But theyre covered in a cotton-like substance that protects them from outside forces. While this may appear barbaric, it will prompt your blushing beauty to produce not one, but two new sprouts from the trimmed tip. Place the cutting at a 45-degree angle in a fresh pot of peat moss and perlite. 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. 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. A small amount of root-binding is ideal for keeping your plant compact and lush. This can take about two or three weeks. Let me show you the secret to propagating rex begonias from leaf cuttings. Begonia propagation is just as easy without it. Divide rhizomatous begonias in spring, ensuring that each portion of the rhizome bears one or more growing points. How to Grow Rex Begonia Rex begonias are grown from seed and require about four months to reach maturity before being ready for flowering. I like to take leaf cuttings because its so fascinating to watch a single leaf sprout a whole bunch of babies. If the two asexual propagation methods of cutting and branching are adopted, we should pay attention to maintaining high environmental humidity and temperature from 20 to 25 . How to Care for a Begonia: 14 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow Allow fleshy cuts to dry for an hour before potting. BBC Gardeners' World Magazine. To water propagate your Begonia, all you have to do is partially submerge the stem in water, leaving the leaves sticking out. With a moderate growth rate, rex begonias may grow to less than 12 inches in a year. Active Interest Media Holdco, Inc. Copyright 2023. 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. The Begonia is a stunning houseplant with colored leaves that grows from a rhizome. To fix a leggy begonia, first, determine what is causing the overgrowth and then correct it by increasing light, temperature, or changing the plants pot. How to Grow Tuberous Begonias When an infestation is too big for you to handle, consider pesticides. Trim the cutting to just below the next node along for cane or tuberous begonias. 100K views 9 years ago In the video, Alan of The Plant Farm talks about the unique Rex Begonia and how to propagate it. The leaves on this plant can grow to about 6 inches in width. % of people told us that this article helped them. Replace any fluids lost during pruning by giving your plant a good drink and returning it to its original location to recover. Simply break off rhizomes that have grown outside the pot and start them in a small pot. Houseplant Help: 5 Tips to Keep Finicky Begonia Rex Alive Is the Begonia rex plant toxic to animals? Avoid nicking or cutting the tuber if you are using a spade. Trimming a cane begonia allows you to remove up to two-thirds of any stem without fear of killing the plant. 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. Rex begonias make excellent house plants, and are easy to divide so you can gift them to friends. 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. 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. Place your plant in the shade if grown outdoors. Begonia rex is toxic to pets such as cats, dogs, and horses, according to ASCPA. Allow the top layer of soil to become completely dry in between waterings. Turn the begonia leaf back over and press it into the seed-starting mix. It can harm or even kill your plant. 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. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. Water once the to 1-inch of soil is dry once a week. Let me show you how to get more of these great plants practically free! I mist mine daily and water the soil once a week. Cover the whole cutting and pot with a plastic bag to help maintain the proper moisture levels needed for a begonia. By cleverly planting multiple plants in the same space, each with sprouted cuttings from the parent plant, you can give the appearance of a bushier plant. Flip the begonia leaf over and make a -inch cut across five or six of the largest veins with your knife. Step 2: Take a leaf cutting from your rex begonia. This begonia is rhizomatous, growing from a thick, fleshy rhizome that grows just below the surface of the soil. How to split begonias? Why are the leaves on my Begonia rex fading? This Begonia creates both gorgeous leaves and flowers. We earn from qualifying purchases. Begonia rhizomes are sensitive to soggy soil or overwatering and may rot. How to Get Rid of Fruit Flies in Plants 5 Proven Ways! Youll also need to make sure theres plenty of air circulation. Then, place the vase or glass containing the plant in a light and warm spot to provide the perfect growing conditions. Find out to divide your rex begonia house plants, in our step-by-step guide. 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. Water Rex begonias like regular water but hate being overwatered. 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. Porous soil allows excess water to drain instead of holding onto all that unneeded water. Step 2: Take a leaf cutting from your rex begonia. Begonias are just as at home in a pot as they are in the garden. Debra LaGattuta is a gardening expert with three decades of experience in perennial and flowering plants, container gardening, and raised bed vegetable gardening. It is also available online, visit our website at spokaneplantfarm.com.For over fifty years, our plants have been locally grown in Spokane Valley, WA. Young leaves should be removed before they unfurl. Grow them there until theyre big enough to put in the garden or transplant into more permanent pots. Rather, your plant is balding, which many older gardeners can certainly relate to! Humidifiers allow you to adjust the humidity as needed. Make sure the water isnt running full blast. Fertilize your begonia no more than once a month during the growing season for best results. By dividing/propagating plants you can continue to enjoy them throughout the years. Cut a healthy leaf. A temperature between 65-75F (18-24C) is ideal. 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. But don't let the soil become overly dry or the plant will begin to wither. Debra is a member of The Spruce Gardening andPlant Care Review Board. If you have a heat mat for seedlings, that will help the begonia leaf cuttings get off to a faster start. . Cut away any shrivelled or soft and rotten sections of the tuber and discard these. Examine your begonia growing environment. Allow the soil to dry out a little between waterings. Youll only need to refill the tray with water once its empty. There are wide different Begonia rex varieties available: Begonia rex has vibrant foliage that ranges from red to green to purple with various patterns. The best way to thicken the stem of your begonia is to simply wait. Theyre tiny and hard to detect. Ive cut each vein about an inch from the central vein in the photo above. tall and wide (25-30 cm). The salt from the fertilizer can build up in the soil, causing serious fertilizer burn. Are Begonias Deer Resistant & How To Keep Them From Eating Begonias Airy, light, fast-draining soil is best for rex begonias. If you have a hanging basket or a table-top pot of . Etiolation is the rapid growth of the portion of the stem between the leaves. The petiole is the stalk that attaches the leaf blade to the plant stem. 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. It can affect the animals breathing and cause excessive drooling. All of that summer zeal will end up in the leaves, giving you a display of growth to be proud of. Begonia rex plants are prone to mildew and fungi. Take a transparent bottle half filled with water. It needs bright but indirect sunlight and the soil should always be slightly moist. Straight perlite is very easy for starting new rhizomes. How to split begonias? - JacAnswers growing fancy-leaf begonias, indoors and out - A Way To Garden Once your plant is soil-free, you must wash off the roots. Sow so the surface of the tuber is right at or right beneath soil level. Garden Guides | Care of Rex Begonias Youll know you have a mealybug infestation if you see cotton fluff covering your plant. Leave them in place until they start to get in the way. This article will show you the easiest way to propagate a rex begonia leaf. We empower you to efficiently solve each new challenge and make your life better and easier. He is a professional writer whose articles on plants and horticulture have appeared in national and regional newspapers and magazines. The truth is, dry leaves are a sign of over-watering. It can be a tattered, older leaf, but on the underside, the main veins should be plump and undamaged. Begonias are easily propagated at home. 2023 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. Its a natural oil and isnt known to harm many plants. These strange plant pests are soft-bodied. . Salsa Rex begonia is a silver-leaf type that's variegated with shades of green and burgundy-red. Get the plant pot ready. If you give them more than an inch, theyll take a mile, and in this case, the mile in question is straight up. Continue reading to learn how to turn this unfortunate circumstance into a win for your indoor garden. A few stones may help keep the begonia leaf from curling up and away from the mix, as well. In most cases, it is easiest to divide a perennial plant by first digging and lifting the entire plant. Cissus discolor: How to Grow and Care for the Rex Begonia Vine Airy, light, fast-draining soil is best for rex begonias. The first thing you do is to dig up your Rex Begonia plant. Anthurium Light Tips, How Cold Can Anthurium Tolerate Temperature and Humidity. Place the leaf-cutting, so its sticking out of the soil at a 45-degree angle. They thrive in full sun and well-drained soil that is kept moist during the growing season (spring through autumn). Insert the garden fork about 6 inches from the plant so the roots won't be damaged by the fork. The water will evaporate over time, keeping humidity in the air at all times. Rex begonias require high humidity and heavy fertilization during the growing period. Unlike other houseplants, bigger plant pots are better. Provide 50% or more humidity and fertilize every three weeks using a liquid fertilizer diluted to 1/2 strength. have carefully selected these products for their usefulness and quality. Even the best specimen plant can only be expected to thrive for a few years. The cutting should then be placed in a clean pot filled with moistened potting mix. Sometimes called painted-leaf begonias or fancy-leaf begonias, these plants are known for their variegated leaves. How to Grow Begonia Rex - Healthbenefitstimes.com The leaves are hairy and wavy. Published: Wednesday, 26 August, 2020 at 3:06 pm. 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. Silver Limbo is a compact, small-leafed variety that offers beautiful metallic-silver foliage that has purple-red backsides. See those tiny plants unfurling? The easiest way is to run a faucet or hose over the roots. Now you care for the new plant like you do the mother, Rex. Begonia roots are prone to rot immediately after dividing. Check for rot in your cuttings once a week. The rex begonia vine can be grown as an indoor plant or as an outdoor plant, though it will not survive cold temperatures outdoors. Stand the stem into the bottle, and keep foliage above water or on top of the bottle. 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 Begonia Plant - Care, Growing, Watering, Propagation The Begonia tuberous plant creates beautiful pink flowers. 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. 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. After youve trimmed your plant to the desired height, pinch off new growth sprouting at the top on a regular basis. This means they steal the hydration and nutrition from the plant. They need room to spread. Its beautiful leaves are sensitive to direct sunlight. The best time to divide is during the repotting period in the spring or summer. Once a nice cluster of roots has formed, they can be potted as a separate plant in their own right. Rex Begonia Propagation| How to Propagate Rex Begonia from Stem Cuttings