how to divide a rex begonia how to divide a rex begonia

To do this, you want to cover the leaf-cutting in plastic wrap. 2. Begonia fungicide is available at garden centres. Rex begonias do produce delicate flowers but are usually grown for their spectacularly colored and intriguingly textured leaves. Water when the top 1 of soil becomes almost dry about once a week. Previously, she owned her own business, selling handmade items online, wholesale and at crafts fairs. This can take about two or three weeks. Rex begonias grow from a rhizome, which is a root system that sprouts buds and roots to grow into the plant. The rex begonia plant thrives in humid environments and exposure to bright indirect sunlight. Check weekly. Find out to divide your rex begonia house plants, in our step-by-step guide. A very well draining potting mix with added sand and perlite. And some are smooth, some fuzzy. Step 2 - Prepare the New Location. Rex Begonias are not difficult to divide and propagate, which comes in handy as individual plants usually don't have a very long lifespan. A great way to prevent powdery mildew is through a spray mix you can make at home. Begonia rexis the basis for many hundreds of hybrids, and its forms are too numerous to count. The Begonia tuberous plant creates beautiful pink flowers. However, while they do best in partial shade and indirect light, this is not the same as no light at all. What if I told you that you could propagate a bunch of beautiful rex begonias for almost nothing? Your begonia, regardless of variety, requires partial shade to bright, indirect light to thrive. 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. This is how you may get more of these wonderful plants for free. Gently transplant the babies into 3-inch pots. This is because of []. Clip just above growth nodes to give the plant something to work with as it grows new leaves. Another method involves spritzing the leaves of your plant now and then. 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. Theyre tiny and hard to detect. This is an easy method, and it doesnt cost much. Tuberous, rhizomatous, and waxy begonias do not suffer as frequently as cane varieties, but long and malformed leaves can still be seen. Youll want to repeat this process about three days later. Begonias are just as at home in a pot as they are in the garden. Its easy to do, especially when keeping the soil moist. How Much Light Do Anthuriums Need? Soil Airy, light, fast-draining soil is best for rex begonias. How to Make a Kokedama. This will double the chance of being successful with propagation. Stick to the plan above, and your bundle of twigs will be restored to its verdant glory in no time. The water shouldnt flow over the pebbles. How to Get Rid of Fruit Flies in Plants 5 Proven Ways! Its usually an easy process if you know what steps to take. A Rex Begonia can grow to be 12 to 18 inches in height. When it comes to fast-draining soil, porous soil works the best. Place each leaf cutting on the surface of a tray of moist seed raising mix. After reading this, I am quite confident that I can now save my favorite plants, and to have many more! This article will show you the easiest way to propagate a rex begonia leaf. A few stones may help keep the begonia leaf from curling up and away from the mix, as well. 8 Causes of Polka Dot Plant Dying (And Solutions), Are Pebbles Good for Soil? Place the cutting at a 45-degree angle in a fresh pot of peat moss and perlite. It can harm or even kill your plant. . Keep in mind youll want to use distilled water for this plant. You will need pruning shears (This is the one I use), and I would recommend a jar or bowl of water for larger cuttings more on that later! This is especially true in warmer weather more on that later. Ive found an equal mix of perlite, vermiculite, and peat moss to be an ideal growing medium for my indoor begonias. Lush Garden 5.95K subscribers 108K views 2 years ago #begoniarex #waterpropagation #begoniarex. The seeds . 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. Begonia propagation is just as easy without it. Place your plant in the shade if grown outdoors. 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. 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. What are the Anthurium Roots Above the Soil? Provide 50% humidity. Grow them there until theyre big enough to put in the garden or transplant into more permanent pots. Once the roots have dried, its time to plant them. Make sure the plant never dries out. During the warmer months, take the time to pinch off new growth at the plants crown. Because of its thick stems, this Begonia is known as a fibrous Begonia. Look for a healthy, full-grown leaf on the parent rex begonia plant. Find out how, in our step-by-step guide. This is especially true of cane begonias, which can grow to look almost like bamboo with careful, consistent care. Rex begonias are a colourful addition to your indoor or patio potted plants. Regarding the Rex Begonia, you want to repot in a shallow pot. Here are some supplies and tools we find essential in our everyday work in the garden. Always be careful during this process, you dont want to damage the Rex Begonia plants roots. If it has, remove the rotten roots. Use regular houseplant fertilizer tri-weekly diluted to half-strength. It came from Assam, India which is in the Himalayan foothills. Begonias are some of my favorite indoor plants. Fertilize your begonia no more than once a month during the growing season for best results. The easiest method to turn one Rex Begonia into two (or more) Rex Begonias is by dividing the . 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. I am going to walk you through how to propagate Begonia using root division and through leaf cuttings. Place in a brightly lit, 60 to 70 degree F room and keep the soil moist but not soggy. To water propagate your Begonia, all you have to do is partially submerge the stem in water, leaving the leaves sticking out. Place your plant or bury the rhizome in a shallow container filled with rich, aerated plant mix. Then, to keep the cuts in contact with the mix, start pushing T-pins through the leaf into the soil. Fertilize your begonias. . Stick the leaf petioles or wedges into the soil, and slip the tray into a plastic bag. Cut apart the tuber with a sharp knife, leaving three growing eyes on each piece. Plant a tuber section per pot. Repot your begonias only when they are completely root-bound. First, let's talk about the best light for Cissus discolor when it is grown as a houseplant year-round. Youll want to use the root division process for the best results. Let them dry before you head on to the next step. A temperature between 65-75F (18-24C) is ideal. Rex begonias are herbaceous perennials in zones 10-12 so they are treated as annuals or houseplant specimens in Connecticut. It's best to divide the tubers in the early spring, after the buds have begun to swell. It isnt too good to be true! 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. One of our favorite methods for creating high humidity is the pebble tray method. This article is about how to care for Begonia rex. The stem stretches, causing the normal spacing between leaves to become excessively wide and gaping. Your plant will get plenty of sun but it wont receive direct sunlight. How to Divide 45 Favorite Perennials Airy, light, fast-draining soil is best for rex begonias. Regular LED Lights vs. Grow Lights, just didn't know how. Examine your growing environment and choose a location for your newly trimmed begonia that receives more light than its previous location. Gently tease away some of the soil, and split the horizontal rhizome along with its healthy root systems. The best temperature is 65-75F (18-24C). Trim the cutting to just below the next node along for cane or tuberous begonias. This is usually in March. In no time you should start to see new growth springing up from the site of the old, woody stems. "I've been losing all my beautiful leaves off most of my favorite plants! 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. Gently transplant the babies into 3-inch pots. Managine Pests in Gardens: BegoniaBegoniaspp. This plant dislikes cold temperatures. 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. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. The easiest method is to buy a humidifier. Place this in a warm area of your home, but out of the path of direct sunlight. It contains Soluble calcium oxalates. How to Divide Bearded Irises. It needs bright, but indirect sunlight and the soil should always be slightly moist. 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. How many Begonia rex plants can I put in one pot? The plant requires less water during winter, when it often enters a dormant . Grow them there until theyre big enough to put in the garden or transplant into more permanent pots. Do not put a Begonia where it gets a southern or even a western exposure. Porous soil allows excess water to drain instead of holding onto all that unneeded water. Do you want to save any of the leaf patches? 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. But the air in the plants environment cant be dry. Remove the begonia from its container and gently tease the roots apart, position it in the pot and backfill around it. 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. Rex begonias are a special group, because we grow them for their beautiful leaves. Rex begonias are a colourful addition to your indoor or patio potted plants. Water the begonia transplant and acclimate it in an area out of direct sun. Whats more, dividing rex begonias reinvigorates them and makes them grow better. Jenny Harrington has been a freelance writer since 2006. Rex begonias are often troubled by powdery mildew and botrytis fungal disease. Get the plant pot ready. Alternatively, you can propagate using water as a medium for Begonias. A Begonia rex needs porous fast-draining soil using peat moss, perlite, and vermiculite. Move your plant to a shadier area. Step 2: Take a leaf cutting from your rex begonia. Above: Moist soil, happy begonia. Look for a healthy, full-grown leaf on the parent rex begonia plant. Is it skewed in one direction? Be careful not to over-water your plant, though. Even though high humidity isnt required, it keeps the plant full, lush, and healthy. Advice on chopping top half do you have to cut where there's still green on the base or can you cut lower if there's pups growing? Finally, pinch back stray leaves on a regular basis to keep your begonia lush. Deer will eat the former and turn up their noses with the latter. Leave them in place until they start to get in the way. A dimly lit environment will encourage your begonia to send out long stalks in search of light. 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. A Begonia rex fools many plant lovers with dry leaves. Place your Rex begonia in either a north or east-facing window to get bright indirect light indoors. If there are several plants in one pot, they will crowd together. Cane begonias should be pruned on a regular basis to encourage a thicker growth, and other varieties benefit from having their excessively straggly growth removed as well. The best light for rex begonia vine when growing indoors. With a moderate growth rate, rex begonias may grow to less than 12 inches in a year. Once you see the plant roots coming through the pots drainage holes, its time to re-pot it. 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. Straight perlite is very easy for starting new rhizomes. They can also become sprawling because fast-growing stems frequently lack the strength to keep their heads up. This plant can come in various colors depending on how its bred. Because rhizomes have shallow roots, a shallow pot will do. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. Gather the items on the "Materials & Tools" list above. These cuts (and the stem cut) are where the new plantlets will form. Leave them in place until they start to get in the way. When you cut a leaf, make sure the leaf-cutting has three inches of the petiole attached. If you have a hanging basket or a table-top pot of . They assume that the plant needs more water. 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. They thrive on humidity but be careful if misting leaves that they don't stay too wet and encourage powdery mildew. We earn from qualifying purchases. And always make sure the first inch of soil is dry before you water your Begonia rex. This is to prevent the spread of spores and fungi. As with other begonias, the rex and other foliage begonias prefer the same humid, gentle environment in which understory ferns thrive. The original Rex Begonia had dark leaves with wonderful silver designs. Because their leaf markings are so beautiful, rex begonia growers often remove the small, inconspicuous flowers when they appear, as they can detract from the foliage display. The water will evaporate over time, keeping humidity in the air at all times. Flip the begonia leaf over and use your knife to make a 12-inch cut across five or six of the main veins. You should fertilize your winter-blooming plants with a high-phosphorus, water-soluble fertilizer that contains little or no nitrogen. If you have a heat mat for seedlings, that will help the begonia leaf cuttings get off to a faster start. 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. Step 3: Cut the rex begonia leaf. Amend the medium with a couple of tablespoons of ground limestone to help control humidity. Its not uncommon for a clipped cane to produce two new shoots, resulting in an overall thicker and bushier plant. 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. The truth is, dry leaves are a sign of over-watering. However, if you have over-fertilized your begonia, it may seize the opportunity to really get going, shooting up and becoming leggy. Make sure you sterilize the pruning shears with isopropyl alcohol. Fill the tray with damp potting mix and youre ready for the fun part taking the cuttings! Stem cuttings are very simple. 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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. Brush fungicide onto each cut surface of the roots to prevent disease. The Begonia is a stunning houseplant with colored leaves that grows from a rhizome. Slice down several inches deepat least 6 inches for most plants and more for extremely large, well-rooted plants. Dont remove the plastic wrap until a few new leaves have grown. Let me show you the secret to propagating rex begonias from leaf cuttings. Propagate leaf cuttings or sections of rhizome. Cultivar Selection Begonia rex : Evergreen perennial to 30cm, with large, obliquely ovate leaves which are metallic green with a silvery zone on the upper surface, reddish beneath; panicles of small pink flowers in winter. Begonia rex plants are prone to mildew and fungi. 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. Don't water the leaves, only the soil to avoid fungal disease issues. Tamp down the medium to hold the cutting upright. It suffocates the pests within only minutes. Common Issues with Strawberry Begonia. Dividing and conquering the fastest-growing genus: Towards a natural sectional classification of the mega-diverse genus Begonia (Begoniaceae). See those tiny plants unfurling? Plus, you want to trap in moisture so itll grow quicker. You may get several cuttings depending on the size of your leaf. Snip off flowers and older leaves first to give the division more energy for root growth. Protecting your leaf cutting from harm while it starts to root is important. Here is where you will find the Rex begonias, Dragon Wing begonias, and other specialty ones like Eyelash begonias. Consider using a systemic fungicide. (6 Useful Methods of Use). . Move your Begonia Rex to an eastern exposure and the new leaves will be fine. But if all the roots are rotten, there isnt anything you can do for the plant. Use warm water in a misting bottle. Rex begonias like bright, indirect light year-round. Propagating Begonia rex. Plants are root bound when you can't insert a pencil into a drainage holes on the pot. There are several ways to create humidity for any indoor plant. All of that summer zeal will end up in the leaves, giving you a display of growth to be proud of. In the video, Alan of The Plant Farm talks about the unique Rex Begonia and how to propagate it. These resemble pink or red bumps, similar to the growing eyes on potatoes. The plant needs more light, but not intense light. What if I told you that you could propagate a bunch of beautiful rex begonias for almost nothing? The best time to divide is during the repotting period in the spring or summer. wikiHow is a wiki, similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. The leaves on this plant can grow to about 6 inches in width. Have a lovely tuberous begonia who has been blooming well since August but is leggy now in December.