how to divide a rex begonia

Avoid nicking or cutting the tuber if you are using a spade. 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. Begonia rex plants can quickly get mildew or fungal diseases. Propagating Begonia rex. When the water evaporates, it creates moisture in the air. If you have a hanging basket or a table-top pot of . You need to remove all dead or harmed roots right away. Always be careful during this process, you dont want to damage the Rex Begonia plants roots. Then you can use the mix to spray down your plant. Continue reading to learn how to turn this unfortunate circumstance into a win for your indoor garden. Leave them in place until they start to get in the way. Use a pair of sterilized pruning shears to get your leaf cutting. Other common problems caused by over-watering include yellowing leaves, fungi, and stunted growth. Like most Begonia species, such as Begonia maculata, the Begonia rex is easy to care for. Begonia rhizomes are sensitive to soggy soil or overwatering and may rot. We empower you to efficiently solve each new challenge and make your life better and easier. 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. You can use a mixture of perlite, vermiculite and peat moss, if you prefer. Indoor begonias thrive in soil-free mediums. How to Root Succulents with Leaf Cuttings Keep the temperature setting at about 70 degrees. Fertilize your begonia no more than once a month during the growing season for best results. Begonias are some of my favorite indoor plants. The best temperature is 65-75F (18-24C). 50%. wikiHow is a wiki, similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. Po each piece into individual pots of new compost, making sure each portion of rootball is planted at the same depth it was originally. Find out how, in our step-by-step guide. After you've resolved the initial problem, prune your plant from the top-down, removing the leggy parts. Water once it has almost dried out. If it has, remove the rotten roots. 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. Stem cuttings are very simple. Jon VanZile was a writer for The Spruce covering houseplants and indoor gardening for almost a decade. Tuberous and rhizomatous begonias benefit from leaf removal and will reward you with new shoots and more perfectly formed growth. If you grow cane or wing begonias, give this technique a try with them, as well! Rex begonias can be bought at the following online retailers: Logees, Amazon and Etsy, and many other online and offline shops. Start as many leaves as will fit in your tray or pot without the leaves touching. 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. This begonia is rhizomatous, growing from a thick, fleshy rhizome that grows just below the surface of the soil. You want to be careful during this process to avoid injuring the plants roots. Amend the medium with a couple of tablespoons of ground limestone to help control humidity. Rex begonias like bright, indirect light year-round. Consider using a systemic fungicide. 6. This is how you may get more of these wonderful plants for free. Fertilize your begonias. Water Rex begonias require regular water, but be careful not to overwater them. The easiest method is to buy a humidifier. As with other begonias, the rex and other foliage begonias prefer the same humid, gentle environment in which understory ferns thrive. Texas A&M University AgriLife Extension Plant Disease Handbook. . How to propagate Rex Begonia in water? Allow the top layer of soil to become completely dry in between waterings. This plant pot should have drainage holes on the bottom. I like to take leaf cuttings because its so fascinating to watch a single leaf sprout a whole bunch of babies. This is an easy method, and it doesnt cost much. When the plants are 3 inches tall and have at least two leaves, theyre ready to lift. Why are the leaves on my Begonia rex fading? But theyre covered in a cotton-like substance that protects them from outside forces. This beautiful plant was introduced to cultivation in 1952 and has puckered leaves with a dark cross in the middle. Creach Greenhouse and The Plant Farm are family owned and operated. Rex begonias require high humidity and heavy fertilization during the growing period. It grows about 6 inches tall and wide. 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. 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. We may receive a commission from sales referred by our links; however, we Mist the soil as needed, so the cuttings stay moist, but don't keep them so wet that water stands on them. Its also the most common issue youll come across. The rex begonia vine can be grown as an indoor plant or as an outdoor plant, though it will not survive cold temperatures outdoors. Or pink with silver edges. But you can also propagate this plant through leaf cuttings. Gently remove the begonia from its container and immediately transplant it into the new medium. Fill the plant pot with porous and fast-draining soil. As a result, you might find that the same crosses have different names in different garden centers. These strange plant pests are soft-bodied. All of that summer zeal will end up in the leaves, giving you a display of growth to be proud of. The roots should be completely covered in soil. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. Care guide highlights: Known as the painted-leaf begonia, Begonia rex performs quite well in standard potting mix with the addition of peat moss or leafmold for increased acidity, in bright to moderate light with good ventilation and high humidity, higher, in fact, than other begonias. This Begonia species have leaves with a fun fuzzy feel. Lay the plants roots on a paper towel. They can also become sprawling because fast-growing stems frequently lack the strength to keep their heads up. It's best to divide the tubers in the early spring, after the buds have begun to swell. 2. 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. Then, to keep the cuts in contact with the mix, start pushing T-pins through the leaf into the soil. This plant is only a semi-tropical plant. 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. Direct sunlight can cause damage to this plant. 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 . Divide a Rex begonia when it begins to outgrow its pot or once the plant is at least three years old if you want to add more begonias to your houseplant collection. The rhizome is cut apart and divided in order to propagate new plants. Propagate leaf cuttings or sections of rhizome. 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. If you have a heat mat for seedlings, that will help the begonia leaf cuttings get off to a faster start. How to Make a Kokedama. 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. They come in various colors, the most common color being green. Then, to keep the cuts in contact with the mix, start pushing T-pins through the leaf into the soil. Another method involves spritzing the leaves of your plant now and then. The Begonia is a stunning houseplant with colored leaves that grows from a rhizome. Make sure the sun or artificial light isnt shining right on the 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. If you can squeeze water from the medium, it is too wet. But they will also let you know if they feel that their water, light, and soil conditions are a bit off for their liking. Thank you! Begonia roots are prone to rot immediately after dividing. Use a well-draining soil mix to care for Begonia rex and provide bright indirect light. BBC Gardeners' World Magazine. Easy Houseplants - Begonias. Use liquid fertilizer weekly at quarter strength or at half strength every two weeks. How to Grow Rex Begonia Rex begonias are grown from seed and require about four months to reach maturity before being ready for flowering. Rex begonias are a colourful addition to your indoor or patio potted plants. You can use a pair of sterilized pruning shears to do this. Growth will slow in freezing temperatures and some types of begonias go into a dormant period during the winter due to lack of light. If you see silver or grey spores on your plant, it has Botrytis Blight disease. A dimly lit environment will encourage your begonia to send out long stalks in search of light. What if I told you that you could propagate a bunch of beautiful rex begonias for almost nothing? These mites arent actual insects but arachnids instead. Flip the begonia leaf over and make a -inch cut across five or six of the largest veins with your knife. Begonia rex Taxonomy ID: 200043 (for references in articles please use NCBI:txid200043) current name. Theyre full of chemicals, so its important to test an area of your plant before using it. Protecting your leaf cutting from harm while it starts to root is important. Gather the items on the "Materials & Tools" list above. Remove the diseased leaves. I am going to walk you through how to propagate Begonia using root division and through leaf cuttings. Now that weve restored your radiant beauty, lets look at how to keep that legginess from reappearing. 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. Powdery mildew is a pain to get rid of, but its possible with a lot of effort. Make sure you sterilize the pruning shears with isopropyl alcohol. Divide rex begonia in early spring right before the plant begins growing again. Porous soil allows excess water to drain instead of holding onto all that unneeded water. Step 1 - Find a suitable tuber. Managine Pests in Gardens: BegoniaBegoniaspp. A few stones may help keep the begonia leaf from curling up and away from the mix, as well. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features NFL Sunday Ticket Press Copyright . University of Vermont Extension Department of Plant and Soil Science. You Might Also Like: Regular LED Lights vs. Grow Lights, just didn't know how. Expect one or two plants per cut. Begonia tubers increase in size each year and after three years or so, the flower display will begin to deteriorate. They frequently have large leaves (up to 6 inches long) that are brightly colored in various shades of green, red, silver, and even purple. Blight plant disease is challenging to battle. I mist mine daily and water the soil once a week. Remove the stem with a sharp knife and slice the leaf into wedges, each piece with a main vein. Rex begonias grow from a rhizome, which is a root system that sprouts buds and roots to grow into the plant. Brush off the excess soil and inspect the rhizome to find the buds. 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. But don't let the soil become overly dry or the plant will begin to wither. This can harm Begonias roots as well as the leaves. This means it wont absorb the fertilizer. It should be getting bright indirect light. NCBI BLAST name . Check weekly. Whether you need to fix, build, create or learn, eHow gives you practical solutions to the problems life throws at you. Unlike other types of legginess, this is not caused by excessive growth. After youve pruned your begonia, it will begin to sprout new leaves. You should fertilize your winter-blooming plants with a high-phosphorus, water-soluble fertilizer that contains little or no nitrogen. 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. Rex begonias grow at a medium speed, but they like a pot with room to grow, so you won't need to worry about repotting too often. Rex Begonias are not difficult to divide and propagate, which comes in handy as individual plants usually don't have a very long lifespan. Bright indirect sunlight, and can tolerate direct sunlight too. It contains soluble calcium oxalates. A temperature between 65-75F (18-24C) is ideal. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 38,009 times. How Much Light Do Anthuriums Need? But the air in the plants environment cant be dry. Stand the stem into the bottle, and keep foliage above water or on top of the bottle. You could also put your leaf cuttings in an east window as long as the temperature stays consistently warm. Youll only need to refill the tray with water once its empty. Lush Garden 5.95K subscribers 108K views 2 years ago #begoniarex #waterpropagation #begoniarex. Use regular houseplant fertilizer tri-weekly diluted to half-strength. If youre afraid to damage the roots, use pruning shears for this step. Begonias are easily propagated at home. Begonia propagation is just as easy without it. Water when the top 1" of soil becomes almost dry about once a week. Pruning on a regular basis causes the plant to mature and develop a thicker set of stems. Fill a 4-inch container with commercial potting mixture. Fertilise every two weeks with a liquid houseplant fertiliser. Is the Begonia rex plant toxic to animals? The bright side is if you find an infestation early, its easy to get rid of. 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. Expect one or two plants per cut. This Begonia creates both gorgeous leaves and flowers. You can also use artificial lights for this Begonia. Keep your leaf cutting near 70 degrees and give it plenty of humidity. Rather, your plant is balding, which many older gardeners can certainly relate to! 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. University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources. The water shouldnt flow over the pebbles. You have to remove all the infected leaves, so it doesnt spread. Rex begonias require regular water, but be careful not to overwater them. Dip each piece into hormone rooting powder and shake off the excess. This article has been viewed 38,009 times. Clip just above growth nodes to give the plant something to work with as it grows new leaves. But be careful not to let the plastic touch the leaves or you could risk fungal problems. After youve resolved the initial problem, prune your plant from the top-down, removing the leggy parts. Using a little bit of root tone and a small amount of fungicide to keep the roots healthy as they grow, you can propagate a Rex Begonia like a pro. The original leaf probably will have torn apart and may have even disintegrated. When shopping for a new pot, choose one that is only an inch (2.5cm) or so wider across the top. After youve trimmed your plant to the desired height, pinch off new growth sprouting at the top on a regular basis. Avoid direct sunlight, but any location with good diffuse light will encourage your begonia to bloom with an abundance of alluring foliage. Keep a Rex Begonia plants soil moist. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. If your plant is turning brown, with brittle leaves/dead leaves, it is likely to be one of three causes. It came from Assam, India which is in the Himalayan foothills. Do begonias winter inside? Even the best specimen plant can only be expected to thrive for a few years. Water Rex begonias like regular water but hate being overwatered. This is how you may get more of these wonderful plants for free. Allow fleshy cuts to dry for an hour before potting. #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. Pests love hopping from one plant to another. See those tiny plants unfurling? The vast majority of begonias offered in the trade are hybrids so they cannot be accurately propagated from seed. Provide the plant with plenty of bright indirect sun, but keep it out of direct sunlight and rotate frequently to expose it to equal light on all sides. Let me show you the secret to propagating rex begonias from leaf cuttings. Knowing which Begonia you have can help a lot in having success with bringing the plants indoors for the winter. Cut apart the tuber with a sharp knife, leaving three growing eyes on each piece. Most potted plants have limited resources, and as a result, growth is restricted. Tamp down the medium to hold the cutting upright. This begonia requires high humidity during the growing period. Then, to keep the cuts in contact with the mix, start pushing T-pins through the leaf into the soil. A temperature between 65-75F (18-24C) is ideal. Water until it begins dripping from the bottom drainage holes to ensure it is moist throughout. Begonia rex Putz. . Beefsteak geranium,King begonia,painted-leaf begonia,Rex begonia. University of Connecticut Home and Garden Information Center. Provide 50% humidity. Place your plant in the shade if grown outdoors. This article will show you the easiest way to propagate a rex begonia leaf. Begonia fungicide is available at garden centres. Dont be afraid! Begonia rex plants are prone to mildew and fungi. Toxic to pets such as cats and dogs and horses. Trimming a cane begonia allows you to remove up to two-thirds of any stem without fear of killing the plant. Cut the stem off all the way back to the base of the leaf. But most come with leaves in a pretty pink with blackened edges. Your begonia, regardless of variety, requires partial shade to bright, indirect light to thrive. Rex begonias do best in moderate temperatures (60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit) and moderately high humidity (around 50 percent). Brush off the excess soil and inspect the rhizome to find the buds. Begonias originated in the tropics and thrive in warm, humid climates. Ive found an equal mix of perlite, vermiculite, and peat moss to be an ideal growing medium for my indoor begonias. Use a garden fork to dig a healthy wax begonia plant. 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. Use as many as you need to hold the leaf flat. I like to take leaf cuttings because its so fascinating to watch a single leaf sprout a whole bunch of babies. It's best to divide the tubers in the early spring, after the buds have begun to swell. Repot in spring when the rhizome outgrows the pot. Cultivars which are usually derived from Begonia tuberhybrida are a favourite of gardeners for their bright colours and long flowering season. wikiHow is a wiki, similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. If you do this too often, it can create powdery mildew. Keep in mind youll want to use distilled water for this plant. Strip off the lower leaves. Within minutes youll see plant pests popping up deceased. It grows 8 inches tall and wide. Water once the to 1-inch of soil is dry once a week. Deer will eat the former and turn up their noses with the latter. These begonias have gorgeous flowers with frilly edges. . Rhizomatous varieties, such as the popular begonia rex, are even easier, requiring only a single leaf in water to produce a new addition to your collection. 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. You will want to be looking at the underneath side of the leaf. It contains Soluble calcium oxalates. With a moderate growth rate, rex begonias may grow to less than 12 inches in a year. Slice down several inches deepat least 6 inches for most plants and more for extremely large, well-rooted plants. Is it skewed in one direction? Its leaves can be almost round, angel-wing shaped, or any other form. Sometimes called painted-leaf begonias or fancy-leaf begonias, these plants are known for their variegated leaves. Dip the cut end in a rooting hormone. The seeds . There are several ways to create humidity for any indoor plant. Place this in a warm area of your home, but out of the path of direct sunlight. Because of its thick stems, this Begonia is known as a fibrous Begonia. Begonia. Move your plant to a shadier area. . Let the soil dry between waterings and avoid overwatering as it may cause fungal diseases or rot. % of people told us that this article helped them. There is an entire group of hybrid begonias that the world knows as Rex Cultorum meaning that they can all trace their . Then spray your Begonia down with the oil. Nothing should go to waste. This will help make it stand up. They bloom in several colors, including pink, orange, and red. Begonias, according to conventional wisdom, benefit from smaller-than-average pots. . It can affect the animals breathing and cause excessive drooling. Here are some other cool Begonia species to check out. Place each leaf cutting on the surface of a tray of moist seed raising mix. Theyre perfect for the pastel plant lover. Let the soil dry between waterings and avoid overwatering as it may cause fungal diseases or rot. A Begonia rex needs porous fast-draining soil using peat moss, perlite, and vermiculite. It should have drainage holes. A Rex Begonia can grow to be 12 to 18 inches in height. These plants can grow wide. To do this, you want to cover the leaf-cutting in plastic wrap. The original leaf probably will have torn apart and may have even disintegrated. A few stones may help keep the begonia leaf from curling up and away from the mix, as well. It can be a tattered, older leaf, but on the underside, the main veins should be plump and undamaged. Well walk you through both methods step-by-step down below. Make sure you sit your plant a few inches away instead of sitting it right under the light. Over-watering can make your plant sick and fast. 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. These cuts (and the stem cut) are where the new plantlets will form. This makes them easier to work with because theyre easier to see. 100K views 9 years ago In the video, Alan of The Plant Farm talks about the unique Rex Begonia and how to propagate it. We may receive a commission from sales referred by our links; however, we Cut the leaf into wedges to do so lay the leaf flat on your work space. Take a long stem cutting from a mature rex begonia plant with single foliage. The rex begonia plant thrives in humid environments and exposure to bright indirect sunlight. Press seeds onto the surface of the medium and cover them lightly with milled sphagnum. Step 3: Cut the rex begonia leaf. Then simply immerse the entire stalk in water. In worst-case scenarios, it can kill your pet. Make sure the plant never dries out. It takes about 1,000,000 begonia seeds to make up 1 ounce, with each seed weighing about 28 micrograms. All rights reserved. Keep it out of direct sunlight, but in a warm, well-lit spot. Tiny White Bugs In Soil The Truth Revealed! The rex begonia is toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. During the warmer months, take the time to pinch off new growth at the plants crown. Letting the cut sides dry overnight before replanting as well as the use of fungicide helps prevent this. They can take up to 6 weeks to emerge, so be patient. Provide 50% or more humidity and fertilize every three weeks using a liquid fertilizer diluted to 1/2 strength. When we say a plant is leggy, we mean that its growth is concentrated in its stems. Step 1 Snip off flowers and older leaves first to give the division more energy for root growth. The temperature should be between 65-75F (18-24C). How to Water Houseplants Its easy to do, especially when keeping the soil moist. Active Interest Media Holdco, Inc. 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how to divide a rex begonia