Fibrous rooted and rhizomatous begonias do not die back once a year like tuberous begonias. Harrington's specialties include small business information, crafting, decorating and gardening. Avoid nicking or cutting the tuber if you are using a spade. It isnt too good to be true! Step 3: Cut the rex begonia leaf. A few stones may help keep the begonia leaf from curling up and away from the mix, as well. Etiolation is the rapid growth of the portion of the stem between the leaves. The biggest way to prevent plant pests is to examine all new plants before you bring them into your home. Rex Begonias are not difficult to divide and propagate, which comes in handy as individual plants usually don't have a very long lifespan. On occasion, Ive pruned the top of a begonia, removed the leggy portion of the stem, and then immersed the remaining top in water to establish root. The best light for rex begonia vine when growing indoors. have carefully selected these products for their usefulness and quality. How to Divide Bearded Irises Pin the leaf down so that each cut makes good contact with the seed-starting mix. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 38,009 times. You may get several cuttings depending on the size of your leaf. You may have everything you need at home already. After you've placed your Begonia Rex seedlings into holes in the soil, cover them with soil and water them generously. Here is where you will find the Rex begonias, Dragon Wing begonias, and other specialty ones like Eyelash begonias. If it has, remove the rotten roots. 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 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. Provide 50% humidity. They bloom in several colors, including pink, orange, and red. You can also propagate rex begonia from water. However, if you have over-fertilized your begonia, it may seize the opportunity to really get going, shooting up and becoming leggy. The leaves are narrow and spotted white. Simply keeping your new dense delight well-watered and well-lit will result in thicker, more luscious growth. Begonia rex Taxonomy ID: 200043 (for references in articles please use NCBI:txid200043) current name. Begonias are prone to mildew and mold. Flip the begonia leaf over and make a -inch cut across five or six of the largest veins with your knife. 50%. This is because the leaves are covered in calcium oxalate crystals. 2. Dig up the begonia and then look to see where it naturally sections. It should sit right under the top layer. Here are some supplies and tools we find essential in our everyday work in the garden. 100K views 9 years ago In the video, Alan of The Plant Farm talks about the unique Rex Begonia and how to propagate it. 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. Once a nice cluster of roots has formed, they can be potted as a separate plant in their own right. How to Divide Bearded Irises. Because rhizomes have shallow roots, a shallow pot will do. This stops any plant disease from spreading. Blight plant disease is challenging to battle. The most common affliction from too much direct sunlight is the scorching of leaves. Tamp down the medium to hold the cutting upright. Carefully cut away the rotted portion of the roots, and re-pot in better soil. And make sure your plant is always getting bright but indirect sunlight. These cuts (and the stem cut) are where the new plantlets will form. Rhizomatous types grow from fleshy, caterpillar-like structures inclined to spread over the pot lips or even stand upward. This plant is only a semi-tropical plant. The petiole is the stalk that attaches the leaf blade to the plant stem. wikiHow is a wiki, similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. I knew I could propagate the leaves, I. Fill containers with fine-textured potting mix and moisten it. Spider mites also feed on the sap from your plant. Now that weve restored your radiant beauty, lets look at how to keep that legginess from reappearing. This Begonia creates both gorgeous leaves and flowers. Divide the leaf into sections about 2cm long, each with . Debra is a member of The Spruce Gardening andPlant Care Review Board. Make sure you pack the soil tightly around the cutting. It grows 8 inches tall and wide. It needs bright but indirect sunlight and the soil should always be slightly moist. Take a transparent bottle half filled with water. Or pink with silver edges. It should have drainage holes. Look for a healthy, full-grown leaf on the parent rex begonia plant. The vibrant colored leaves of a Begonia Rex start to fade and look bleached when it is getting too much direct sun. The rex begonia requires at least 50 perecnet humidity and careful watering that keeps the soil moist but not too wet. Rex begonias make excellent presents and are easy to divide. Since you must wait for the roots to dry, prepare the plant pot. If you have a heat mat for seedlings, that will help the begonia leaf cuttings get off to a faster start. . How many Begonia rex plants can I put in one pot? 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. But they can get pricey. Stem cuttings are very simple. Potting soil, peat moss, perlite, vermiculite. Is the Begonia rex plant toxic to animals? Here are some tips for the most common plant problems youll encounter. Now you care for the new plant like you do the mother, Rex. Begonias for the garden have different cultivation needs so the notes below will help guide you to success. Its both economical and satisfying to watch your sad, leggy begonia transform into a thriving swarm of new plants. But you should always test a small area of your plant to be on the safe side. Place the leaf-cutting, so its sticking out of the soil at a 45-degree angle. 2. University of Vermont Extension Department of Plant and Soil Science. Once the plant pot is ready to go, you can go ahead and plant the leaf-cutting. To treat this disease, remove all infected leaves on the plant. Find a rex begonia leaf you want to propagate and cut it off the plant. You want to be careful during this process to avoid injuring the plants roots. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Your begonia has indicated this need by stretching its leaves in the direction of a brighter light source. Another interesting andbeautiful begonia is B.masoniana, also known as the Iron Cross begonia. There are a few plant pests that love the Begonia rex. Let the soil surface become dry to the touch before watering. Mix together well and moisten with water. Water when the top 1" of soil becomes almost dry about once a week. Debra LaGattuta is a gardening expert with three decades of experience in perennial and flowering plants, container gardening, and raised bed vegetable gardening. Its easy to do, especially when keeping the soil moist. 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. Then, to keep the cuts in contact with the mix, start pushing T-pins through the leaf into the soil. This plant pot should have drainage holes on the bottom. Overgrowth occurs in all begonias, but it is most noticeable in cane begonias. Cut the germinated tubers longitudinally, each with 1 to 2 buds, and plant in a pot after the incision is dried. When peat moss is unavailable, Ive had success substituting coir or sphagnum moss for it in this blend. Its best to do your pruning in the warmer months when the plant is growing, too. 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. All of that summer zeal will end up in the leaves, giving you a display of growth to be proud of. When an infestation is too big for you to handle, consider pesticides. There is a major downside to spritzing the Rex Begonia. Grows up to 10-12 in. Make a hole in your planting medium with a dibble stick (or if you're like me, use that pencil sitting on the counter) and insert your stem into the hole. The best time to divide is during the repotting period in the spring or summer. 1. Insert the garden fork about 6 inches from the plant so the roots won't be damaged by the fork. Step 3: Cut the rex begonia leaf. 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. Fill a small pot with moistened seed-starting medium. Examine your begonia growing environment. If you give them more than an inch, theyll take a mile, and in this case, the mile in question is straight up. Rex begonias are a colourful addition to your indoor or patio potted plants. Youll also want to check the roots to ensure root rot hasnt started. Now, set your plant on the pebbles. Replace any fluids lost during pruning by giving your plant a good drink and returning it to its original location to recover. Allow the soil to dry out a little between waterings. Brush off the excess soil and inspect the rhizome to find the buds. A leggy begonia, like an adolescent, is one that is rapidly growing. Ive cut each vein about an inch from the central vein in the photo above. #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. Start as many leaves as will fit in your tray or pot without the leaves touching. While begonias are prone to becoming leggy, there is a relatively simple fix that can result in even more begonias! A temperature between 65-75F (18-24C) is ideal. This article was last updated on 12/27/21 Spider mites love Begonias as well. Avoid putting a pin through a main leaf vein, or that vein may not root. Make sure the plant never dries out. Replant the original piece and pot or plant the remaining piece. 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. 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. Step 2 - Prepare the New Location. Dont remove the plastic wrap until a few new leaves have grown. Some Begonias go dormant for the winter and others have no dormant period and continue to grow and flower for the entire winter. "I've been losing all my beautiful leaves off most of my favorite plants! You can test the moisture with your finger. Regarding the Rex Begonia, you want to repot in a shallow pot. 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. It can harm or even kill your plant. In most cases, it is easiest to divide a perennial plant by first digging and lifting the entire plant. In no time you should start to see new growth springing up from the site of the old, woody stems. You Might Also Like: Ensure it bears at least one leaf node. Fertilize your begonias. All rights reserved. Turn the begonia leaf back over and press it into the seed-starting mix. The leaves on this plant can grow to about 6 inches in width. The soil should be watered to feel slightly, but evenly moist. Make sure the medium is evenly moist but not wet or soggy. It is perfectly acceptable to lop off the entire top of your leggy begonia. Do not mist, increase humidity with humidifier or pebble tray. How to propagate Begonia Rex from stem cuttings Take 4-6 in. After youve pruned your begonia, it will begin to sprout new leaves. Develop the tech skills you need for work and life. Your plant cannot photosynthesize and produce food if it is not exposed to light. We are compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to on this site. Make sure the water isnt running full blast. Turn the begonia leaf back over and press it into the seed-starting mix. It can be a tattered, older leaf, but on the underside, the main veins should be plump and undamaged. How to Root Succulents with Leaf Cuttings But be careful not to let the plastic touch the leaves or you could risk fungal problems. Keep the temperature setting at about 70 degrees. Do begonias winter inside? 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. Lift the Rex begonia tuber from the pot with a spade or your hands. Remove the diseased leaves. The best way to thicken the stem of your begonia is to simply wait. Even the best specimen plant can only be expected to thrive for a few years. Spray the mixture with water until it's damp clear through, but not dripping. The rex begonia is toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. How to divide rex begonias - removing old leaves Step 2 Divide the plant by prising the root ball apart from the top, being careful to keep buds on each section. Begin by removing the tallest, thinnest stalks. Rex begonias are semi-tropical perennial plants native to Asia, usually grown as house plants. It contains soluble calcium oxalates. Step 1 Snip off flowers and older leaves first to give the division more energy for root growth. How to Water Houseplants To water propagate your Begonia, all you have to do is partially submerge the stem in water, leaving the leaves sticking out. When choosing your pot, a good general rule of thumb is no more than 20cm across the top for each begonia. Plant one Begonia rex per pot. Grow them there until theyre big enough to put in the garden or transplant into more permanent pots. Youll know you have a mealybug infestation if you see cotton fluff covering your plant. Make sure you sterilize the pruning shears with isopropyl alcohol. With a moderate growth rate, rex begonias may grow to less than 12 inches in a year. This will double the chance of being successful with propagation. Fill the tray with damp potting mix and youre ready for the fun part taking the cuttings! Leave them in place until they start to get in the way. They are resilient and thrive under that level of pruning. Lopping your begonias over-extended stems and pinching out its errant growth, as drastic as it may appear, is the most effective way to bring that growth back under control. Allow the top layer of soil to become completely dry in between waterings. Step 2: Take a leaf cutting from your rex begonia. External Information Resources (NCBI . A Begonia rex needs porous fast-draining soil using peat moss, perlite, and vermiculite. 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. In worst-case scenarios, it can kill your pet. 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. They thrive on humidity but be careful if misting leaves that they don't stay too wet and encourage powdery mildew. How to Root Succulents with Leaf Cuttings 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 mites arent actual insects but arachnids instead. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. 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. Rhizomatous begonias such as the rex begonia can be easily propagated by. Straight perlite is very easy for starting new rhizomes. What are the Anthurium Roots Above the Soil? Fading leaves on a Begonia rex indicate too much direct sunlight. If you have a heat mat for seedlings, that will help the begonia leaf cuttings get off to a faster start. Sow so the surface of the tuber is right at or right beneath soil level. Rex begonias require high humidity and heavy fertilization during the growing period. Tuberous begonia. . Easy Houseplants - Begonias. Like most Begonia species, such as Begonia maculata, the Begonia rex is easy to care for. See those tiny plants unfurling? A great way to prevent powdery mildew is through a spray mix you can make at home. Begonia rhizomes are sensitive to soggy soil or overwatering and may rot. Another method involves spritzing the leaves of your plant now and then. 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. Consider using a systemic fungicide. There is nothing you can do for the old damaged leaves. Let me show you the secret to propagating rex begonias from leaf cuttings. Water the begonia transplant and acclimate it in an area out of direct sun. To do this, you want to cover the leaf-cutting in plastic wrap. % of people told us that this article helped them. A temperature between 65-75F (18-24C) is ideal. Because they are not aggressive bloomers, they can tolerate less light than other begonias and will thrive under fluorescent lights. This is how you may get more of these wonderful plants for free. Rex begonias grow from a rhizome, which is a root system that sprouts buds and roots to grow into the plant. Gather the items on the "Materials & Tools" list above. Gently tease away some of the soil, and split the horizontal rhizome along with its healthy root systems. Begonia rexis the basis for many hundreds of hybrids, and its forms are too numerous to count. Dividing and conquering the fastest-growing genus: Towards a natural sectional classification of the mega-diverse genus Begonia (Begoniaceae). This plant disease can destroy a plant. Whether you need to fix, build, create or learn, eHow gives you practical solutions to the problems life throws at you. Check weekly. Then, place the vase or glass containing the plant in a light and warm spot to provide the perfect growing conditions. . It should be getting bright indirect light. BBC Gardeners' World Magazine. Continue reading to learn how to turn this unfortunate circumstance into a win for your indoor garden. You can use tape to keep the plastic wrap to the cutting. 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. After reading this, I am quite confident that I can now save my favorite plants, and to have many more! But most come with leaves in a pretty pink with blackened edges. 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. 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. Prefers partial shade and organically rich, moist but well-drained soils. Place each leaf cutting on the surface of a tray of moist seed raising mix. Get rid of these infected leaves right away. Jenny Harrington has been a freelance writer since 2006. Bright indirect sunlight, and can tolerate direct sunlight too. My begonia is so leggy that I wonder if when I cut it I can cut the stems several times to propagate them? Aggressive Drainage. For a Begonia, use regular houseplant fertilizer at half strength every two to three weeks in spring and summer. Find out to divide your rex begonia house plants, in our step-by-step guide. Finally, pinch back stray leaves on a regular basis to keep your begonia lush. I like to take leaf cuttings because its so fascinating to watch a single leaf sprout a whole bunch of babies.