how to divide a rex begonia

Typically grown for their beautiful leaf markings, most rex begonias have large leaves with intricate swirling patterns in a variety of colours including green, red, purple and silver. Can you divide Rex Begonias? A few stones may help keep the begonia leaf from curling up and away from the mix, as well. If you have a heat mat for seedlings, that will help the begonia leaf cuttings get off to a faster start. Overgrowth occurs in all begonias, but it is most noticeable in cane begonias. 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 is also available online, visit our website at spokaneplantfarm.com.For over fifty years, our plants have been locally grown in Spokane Valley, WA. 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. 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. Dont forget to rotate your plant whenever possible, so all parts are getting equal amounts of light. Dry, brittle leaves are a symptom of dry air. Let me show you the secret to propagating rex begonias from leaf cuttings. Her published articles have appeared in various print and online publications. 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. Examine your begonia growing environment. Find out how, in our step-by-step guide. . Giving your leggy begonia a haircut is the absolute best way to deal with it! The easiest way is to run a faucet or hose over the roots. Divide rex begonia in early spring right before the plant begins growing again. . First, let's talk about the best light for Cissus discolor when it is grown as a houseplant year-round. It can be challenging to find just the right conditions for rex begonia to display its best leaf color. Begonia seeds are tiny and you might mistake them for dust or pollen. Rex begonias grow from a rhizome, which is a root system that sprouts buds and roots to grow into the plant. If you have a hanging basket or a table-top pot of . But you should always test a small area of your plant to be on the safe side. I am going to walk you through how to propagate Begonia using root division and through leaf cuttings. They can take up to 6 weeks to emerge, so be patient. Take a close look at the shape of your begonia first. Male and female flowers are borne separately on the same plant, the male . Place your plant or bury the rhizome in a shallow container filled with rich, aerated plant mix. This is an easy method, and it doesnt cost much. But don't let the soil become overly dry or the plant will begin to wither. Turn the begonia leaf back over and press it into the seed-starting mix. There is a major downside to spritzing the Rex Begonia. Let them dry before you head on to the next step. Salsa Rex begonia is a silver-leaf type that's variegated with shades of green and burgundy-red. Fill the tray with damp potting mix and youre ready for the fun part taking the cuttings! Dip the cut end in a rooting hormone. Porous soil allows excess water to drain instead of holding onto all that unneeded water. Keep the seeds in temperatures of between 70 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit until they germinate. This moisture goes straight to your plant since it sits atop the water source. A leggy begonia appears bare, with an insufficient amount of foliage. In no time you should start to see new growth springing up from the site of the old, woody stems. All rights reserved. This begonia requires high humidity during the growing period. A very well draining potting mix with added sand and perlite. Avoid direct sunlight, but any location with good diffuse light will encourage your begonia to bloom with an abundance of alluring foliage. Carefully cut away the rotted portion of the roots, and re-pot in better soil. How to Propagate Begonia Rex in Water by using a single leaf | plant Propagating Experiments. Unlike other houseplants, bigger plant pots are better. Make sure you sterilize the pruning shears with isopropyl alcohol. Begonia rhizomes are sensitive to soggy soil or overwatering and may rot. 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. Appearance. They should always be your last resort because they contain chemicals that can harm the environment. You Might Also Like: Even the best specimen plant can only be expected to thrive for a few years. The bright side is if you find an infestation early, its easy to get rid of. It contains soluble calcium oxalates. Step 3: Cut the rex begonia leaf. The original leaf probably will have torn apart and may have even disintegrated. They bloom in several colors, including pink, orange, and red. The cutting should then be placed in a clean pot filled with moistened potting mix. These elegant plants arent hard to propagate. This Begonia species have leaves with a fun fuzzy feel. You dont want it to take off again, so keep an eye on it. Gently transplant the babies into 3-inch pots. Then spray your Begonia down with the oil. This is how you may get more of these wonderful plants for free. These leaves are arranged in an asymmetrical manner on the stems. 3. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. She is a Master Gardener and lead gardener in a Plant-A-Row, which is a program that offers thousands of pounds of organically-grown vegetables to local food banks. The resulting hybrids are often known in the trade only by fancy trade names used to market the plants. 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. After reading this, I am quite confident that I can now save my favorite plants, and to have many more! To be cautious, I always rinse all my supplies (and my hands) in a solution of 1 teaspoon bleach to 1 quart of water. 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. Soil Airy, light, fast-draining soil is best for rex begonias. Water Rex begonias require regular water, but be careful not to overwater them. The easiest method is to buy a humidifier. 1. When it comes to fast-draining soil, porous soil works the best. To treat this disease, remove all infected leaves on the plant. Jun 1, 2021 - Rex begonias make excellent house plants, and are easy to divide so you can gift them to friends. Step 1 Snip off flowers and older leaves first to give the division more energy for root growth. If you give them more than an inch, theyll take a mile, and in this case, the mile in question is straight up. 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! Post #8301529 Quote CindyMzone5 Hobart, IN Jan 10, 2011 Should I try to evenly divide the roots so that all of the clumps have some roots? The temperature should be between 65-75F (18-24C). Using a shovel or flat-edged spade, slice completely around the outer perimeter of the plant, a few inches away from the foliage. Let me show you how to get more of these great plants practically free! To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. Youll want to repeat this process about three days later. When the water evaporates, it creates moisture in the air. Divide the vine into smaller pieces, ensuring each has at least two or three leaves. Now, set your plant on the pebbles. Remove the begonia from its container and gently tease the roots apart, position it in the pot and backfill around it. Dividing and conquering the fastest-growing genus: Towards a natural sectional classification of the mega-diverse genus Begonia (Begoniaceae). 6. These cuts (and the stem cut) are where the new plantlets will form. Plant a tuber section per pot. This means it wont absorb the fertilizer. Mealybugs are the biggest plant pest problem with this Begonia. All of that summer zeal will end up in the leaves, giving you a display of growth to be proud of. Tap water contains salt and other chemicals that can harm your plant. Silver Limbo is a compact, small-leafed variety that offers beautiful metallic-silver foliage that has purple-red backsides. Cover the whole cutting and pot with a plastic bag to help maintain the proper moisture levels needed for a begonia. The rex begonia plant thrives in humid environments and exposure to bright indirect sunlight. Start as many leaves as will fit in your tray or pot without the leaves touching. Use as many as you need to hold the leaf flat. The begonias eye-catching, asymmetrical leaves make it the star of any collection, but what if your begonia is more stem than a leaf? Use a garden fork to dig a healthy wax begonia plant. A great way to prevent powdery mildew is through a spray mix you can make at home. Place in a brightly lit, 60 to 70 degree F room and keep the soil moist but not soggy. All rights reserved. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Another method involves spritzing the leaves of your plant now and then. Spray your plant down every three weeks or so. Cut away any shrivelled or soft and rotten sections of the tuber and discard these. a Few Hardy Begonias @ Letting the cut sides dry overnight before replanting as well as the use of fungicide helps prevent this. 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. Move your plant to a shadier area. Find out to divide your rex begonia house plants, in our step-by-step guide. In most cases, it is easiest to divide a perennial plant by first digging and lifting the entire plant. These cuts (and the stem cut) are where the new plantlets will form. Begonia. If youre afraid to damage the roots, use pruning shears for this step. Step 1: Gather your materials for propagating rex begonias. Common Issues with Strawberry Begonia. Allow the soil to dry out a little between waterings. You may get several cuttings depending on the size of your leaf. They thrive in full sun and well-drained soil that is kept moist during the growing season (spring through autumn). The seeds . Spider mites love Begonias as well. The humidity levels are too low (but don't mist the plant because rex begonias do not like wet foliage). The rex begonia is toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. 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. . 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. 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. This begonia is rhizomatous, growing from a thick, fleshy rhizome that grows just below the surface of the soil. Rex Begonia plants are rhizomatous plants. University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources. You may have everything you need at home already. 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. Ive cut each vein about an inch from the central vein in the photo above. How to Make a Kokedama. Rex begonia can be difficult to grow because of its need for high humidity. How to Root Succulents with Leaf Cuttings - . 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, . Place each leaf cutting on the surface of a tray of moist seed raising mix. Its important to pay careful attention to your plant so you can fix any problems as they arise. Jon VanZile was a writer for The Spruce covering houseplants and indoor gardening for almost a decade. A temperature between 65-75F (18-24C) is ideal. Straight perlite is very easy for starting new rhizomes. Here are some tips for the most common plant problems youll encounter. This article was last updated on 12/27/21 Dont remove the plastic wrap until a few new leaves have grown. Look for a healthy, full-grown leaf on the parent rex begonia plant. I just call them all fancy-leaf begonias, but they divide into several structural groups: Fibrous-rooted ones have cane-like stems and often wing-like leaves. BBC Gardeners' World Magazine. 2. Tamp down the medium to hold the cutting upright. Creach Greenhouse and The Plant Farm are family owned and operated. This will double the chance of being successful with propagation. Begonia tubers increase in size each year and after three years or so, the flower display will begin to deteriorate. Find a rex begonia leaf you want to propagate and cut it off the plant. Place this in a warm area of your home, but out of the path of direct sunlight. Keep your leaf cutting near 70 degrees and give it plenty of humidity. This is to prevent the spread of spores and fungi. Snip off flowers and older leaves first to give the division more energy for root growth. Debra is a member of The Spruce Gardening andPlant Care Review Board. If planting outdoors, do so in May after frosts, but plant anytime indoors. Underwatering is one of the most likely reasons your . 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 . Fill an 8-inch diameter pot with well-draining soil mix. However, if you have over-fertilized your begonia, it may seize the opportunity to really get going, shooting up and becoming leggy. And some are smooth, some fuzzy. How to Grow Tuberous Begonias According to Cornell University, your Begonia is susceptible to this disease in wet or humid environments. Cut the tuber with a sharp knife directly between the two stems. Then simply immerse the entire stalk in water. On the other hand separating the rhizome takes the most work since you need to get the plant out of its container. This beautiful plant was introduced to cultivation in 1952 and has puckered leaves with a dark cross in the middle. Using a little bit of root tone and a small amount of fungicide to keep. Your plant will get plenty of sun but it wont receive direct sunlight. Finally, pinch back stray leaves on a regular basis to keep your begonia lush. How to Make a Kokedama. Needed good info to prune and appreciate this info as I am not as good a plant person as my sister who gave me this plant. You want to be careful during this process to avoid injuring the plants roots. Have a lovely tuberous begonia who has been blooming well since August but is leggy now in December. Begonia rex plants are prone to mildew and fungi. Grown for their foliage, the leaves come in shades of green, red, pink and silver. Replace any fluids lost during pruning by giving your plant a good drink and returning it to its original location to recover. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/6b\/IMG_20160613_180020-1.jpg\/460px-IMG_20160613_180020-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/6b\/IMG_20160613_180020-1.jpg\/420px-IMG_20160613_180020-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":613,"bigWidth":420,"bigHeight":560,"licensing":"