Dont forget to rotate your plant whenever possible, so all parts are getting equal amounts of light. Take a close look at the shape of your begonia first. 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. Lush Garden 5.95K subscribers 108K views 2 years ago #begoniarex #waterpropagation #begoniarex. The flowers can turn orange, pink, and white. Rex begonias make excellent house plants, and are easy to divide so you can gift them to friends. It's available in various colors. These strange plant pests are soft-bodied. BBC Gardeners' World Magazine. Its easy to do, especially when keeping the soil moist. To treat this disease, remove all infected leaves on the plant. We empower you to efficiently solve each new challenge and make your life better and easier. Another interesting andbeautiful begonia is B.masoniana, also known as the Iron Cross begonia. Get daily tips & tricks to help make your best home, The 5 'It' Plants of 2021, According to the Pros, 10 Varieties of Begonias for Gardens and Containers, 9 Great Foliage Plants for Container Gardens, How to Grow and Care for Begonia Maculata, 34 Best Plants That Grow in Water Indoors, How to Grow and Care for Black Bat Flower, How to Grow and Care for Persian Silk Trees, Northeastern India, southern China, and Vietnam. The easiest way is to run a faucet or hose over the roots. External Information Resources (NCBI . Allow fleshy cuts to dry for an hour before potting. Unique to this genus, propagation by leaf cutting can be successful no matter how you cut the leaf because rex begonias have the ability to regenerate completely from any plant part. Booman has another trick: Water thoroughly so that at least 20 percent of the water flows out of the pot, and don't let the plant sit in the water for a second, so that the salts cannot be taken up by the plant. Spray the mixture with water until it's damp clear through, but not dripping. Do not put a Begonia where it gets a southern or even a western exposure. Like many other Begonias, the Begonia rex is susceptible to several plant issues. It can be a tattered, older leaf, but on the underside, the main veins should be plump and undamaged. Begonias easily form new roots in water, and some indoor plant enthusiasts simply replant the rooted cutting with the parent plant, resulting in dense arrangements that give the appearance of a larger, thriving begonia. Fertilize your begonias. Begonias are easily propagated at home. Begonias require less light than most house plants. But most come with leaves in a pretty pink with blackened edges. Youll want to repeat this process about three days later. Find a rex begonia leaf you want to propagate and cut it off the plant. On the other hand separating the rhizome takes the most work since you need to get the plant out of its container. Most potted plants have limited resources, and as a result, growth is restricted. But if all the roots are rotten, there isnt anything you can do for the plant. How to Divide 45 Favorite Perennials Divide the plant by prising the root ball apart from the top, being careful to keep buds on each section. They come in various colors, the most common color being green. % of people told us that this article helped them. Make sure you sit your plant a few inches away instead of sitting it right under the light. The plant requires less water during winter, when it often enters a dormant . 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. It grows 8 inches tall and wide. Cuttings taken from leggy specimens are a great way to start new plants. Use a well diluted balanced plant feed monthly in the spring and summer. This is because the leaves are covered in calcium oxalate crystals. Here are some supplies and tools we find essential in our everyday work in the garden. This article was last updated on 12/27/21 And make sure your plant is always getting bright but indirect sunlight. Begonia rex Putz. If you see silver or grey spores on your plant, it has Botrytis Blight disease. Rex begonias grow from a rhizome, which is a root system that sprouts buds and roots to grow into the plant. You can use a pair of sterilized pruning shears to do this. You should avoid freezing temperatures at all times. Insert the cuttings in moist, free-draining potting mix and place the set up in a warm, shaded place. Whats more, dividing rex begonias reinvigorates them and makes them grow better. 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. One of our favorite methods for creating high humidity is the pebble tray method. The salt from the fertilizer can build up in the soil, causing serious fertilizer burn. Repot your begonias only when they are completely root-bound. The vibrant colored leaves of a Begonia Rex start to fade and look bleached when it is getting too much direct sun. Airy, light, fast-draining soil is best for rex begonias. This plant dislikes cold temperatures. Rex begonias are not only lovely and graceful, but they are also very simple to cultivate from leaf cuttings. How to Water Houseplants How to Grow Tuberous Begonias The cutting should then be placed in a clean pot filled with moistened potting mix. While this may appear barbaric, it will prompt your blushing beauty to produce not one, but two new sprouts from the trimmed tip. Step 1 Snip off flowers and older leaves first to give the division more energy for root growth. Even though high humidity isnt required, it keeps the plant full, lush, and healthy. Mix a tablespoon of baking soda, a tablespoon of canola oil, and a tablespoon of dish soap. 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. Keep your begonias in a growing environment that is between 58 72F (14 22C) for the best results. The leaves are narrow and spotted white. This moisture goes straight to your plant since it sits atop the water source. have carefully selected these products for their usefulness and quality. Let me show you the secret to propagating rex begonias from leaf cuttings. 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. To be cautious, I always rinse all my supplies (and my hands) in a solution of 1 teaspoon bleach to 1 quart of water. Look for a healthy, full-grown leaf on the parent rex begonia plant. The rex begonia vine can be grown as an indoor plant or as an outdoor plant, though it will not survive cold temperatures outdoors. Giving your leggy begonia a haircut is the absolute best way to deal with it! Airy, light, fast-draining soil is best for rex begonias. Once fall hits, the plant goes dormant. 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. But they will also let you know if they feel that their water, light, and soil conditions are a bit off for their liking. By using our site, you agree to our. We earn from qualifying purchases. But be careful not to let the plastic touch the leaves or you could risk fungal problems. Young leaves should be removed before they unfurl. Provide 50% or more humidity and fertilize every three weeks using a liquid fertilizer diluted to 1/2 strength. Plant a tuber section per pot. Alternatively, you can propagate using water as a medium for Begonias. Ingestions may lead to vomiting, kidney failure in grazing animals, and salvation in cats and dogs. Its usually an easy process if you know what steps to take. Rex Begonias are not difficult to divide and propagate, which comes in handy as individual plants usually don't have a very long lifespan. If you do this too often, it can create powdery mildew. Your plant will get plenty of sun but it wont receive direct sunlight. Fill an 8-inch diameter pot with well-draining soil mix. If the begonia will be transplanted to an outdoors location, prepare the soil about 7 to 10 to days before planting by adding aged manure or compost and mix into the soil. Fading leaves on a Begonia rex indicate too much direct sunlight. wikiHow is a wiki, similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. Cut the germinated tubers longitudinally, each with 1 to 2 buds, and plant in a pot after the incision is dried. Pests love hopping from one plant to another. When we say a plant is leggy, we mean that its growth is concentrated in its stems. Divide the leaf into sections about 2cm long, each with . So what are you waiting for? A small infestation isnt a big deal; once it grows, your plant can be in big trouble. Rex begonias require regular water, but be careful not to overwater them. Turn the begonia leaf back over and press it into the seed-starting mix. It was published in 1857. Begonia rhizomes are sensitive to soggy soil or overwatering and may rot. Gently remove the Rex begonia from its nursery pot, handling the root system with care, and place in the middle of the new container. Cover the whole cutting and pot with a plastic bag to help maintain the proper moisture levels needed for a begonia. Its also the most common issue youll come across. Youll want to use the root division process for the best results. Spider mites also feed on the sap from your plant. Begonia rex 'Putzey' came into cultivation as a stowaway plant that germinated on an orchid which was imported into England at the height of the Victorian plant collecting fever. Replace any fluids lost during pruning by giving your plant a good drink and returning it to its original location to recover. You can root these cuttings in perlite, potting soil, or any other sterile media. This is usually in March. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features NFL Sunday Ticket Press Copyright . 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. Because of its thick stems, this Begonia is known as a fibrous Begonia. Knowing which Begonia you have can help a lot in having success with bringing the plants indoors for the winter. Remove the lower leaves on each cutting, leaving the upper one or two leaves. Use a well-draining soil mix to care for Begonia rex and provide bright indirect light. Let me show you how to get more of these great plants practically free! You will want to be looking at the underneath side of the leaf. Theyre perfect for the pastel plant lover. Grow them there until theyre big enough to put in the garden or transplant into more permanent pots. 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. Grow them there until theyre big enough to put in the garden or transplant into more permanent pots. Use a pair of sterilized pruning shears to get your leaf cutting. Begonias for the garden have different cultivation needs so the notes below will help guide you to success. The first thing you do is to dig up your Rex Begonia plant. Thank you! Strip off the lower leaves. If your plant is turning brown, with brittle leaves/dead leaves, it is likely to be one of three causes. After youve trimmed your plant to the desired height, pinch off new growth sprouting at the top on a regular basis. Active Interest Media Holdco, Inc. Copyright 2023. The best way to thicken the stem of your begonia is to simply wait. Because you can only cut once, consider what you want to keep and what needs to go. Potting soil, peat moss, perlite, vermiculite. Place in a brightly lit, 60 to 70 degree F room and keep the soil moist but not soggy. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Slice down several inches deepat least 6 inches for most plants and more for extremely large, well-rooted plants. Keep your leaf cutting near 70 degrees and give it plenty of humidity. To prevent transplant shock (common with heavy-handed transplants), water the plant 24hrs before the main event. Make sure the soil is always moist. Rex begonias grow from a rhizome, which is a root system that sprouts buds and roots to grow into the plant. Rex begonias are semi-tropical perennial plants native to Asia, usually grown as house plants. Check weekly. 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. Salsa Rex begonia is a silver-leaf type that's variegated with shades of green and burgundy-red. Now you care for the new plant like you do the mother, Rex. 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. There are a few different methods that can be used to propagate rex begonias, but the most common is stem propagation. We may receive a commission from sales referred by our links; however, we Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. The leaves on this plant can grow to about 6 inches in width. When the plants are 3 inches tall and have at least two leaves, theyre ready to lift. Your begonia, regardless of variety, requires partial shade to bright, indirect light to thrive. Rex Begonia can also reproduce by dividing tubers. Move your Begonia Rex to an eastern exposure and the new leaves will be fine. They can also become sprawling because fast-growing stems frequently lack the strength to keep their heads up. "I've been losing all my beautiful leaves off most of my favorite plants! With a sharp spade, cut a piece off. Make sure you sterilize the pruning shears with isopropyl alcohol. Fibrous rooted and rhizomatous begonias do not die back once a year like tuberous begonias. Begonia seeds are tiny and you might mistake them for dust or pollen. These plants are grown almost exclusively for their foliagetheir blooms tend to be small and less showy and many growers pinch off blooms to maintain breathtaking leaf displays. Avoid nicking or cutting the tuber if you are using a spade. Begonias are just as at home in a pot as they are in the garden. Let the soil dry between waterings and avoid overwatering as it may cause fungal diseases or rot. This Begonia species have leaves with a fun fuzzy feel. Examine your growing environment and choose a location for your newly trimmed begonia that receives more light than its previous location. How to Grow Rex Begonia Rex begonias are grown from seed and require about four months to reach maturity before being ready for flowering. Taxon 67(2): 267-323. Water until it begins dripping from the bottom drainage holes to ensure it is moist throughout. Begonia. Mist the soil as needed, so the cuttings stay moist, but don't keep them so wet that water stands on them. And the soil should be porous and fast-draining soil. How to Make a Kokedama. Stand the stem into the bottle, and keep foliage above water or on top of the bottle. A few stones may help keep the begonia leaf from curling up and away from the mix, as well. 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. This is especially true of cane begonias, which can grow to look almost like bamboo with careful, consistent care. These cuts (and the stem cut) are where the new plantlets will form. The original Rex Begonia had dark leaves with wonderful silver designs. Water once the to 1-inch of soil is dry once a week. This is how you may get more of these wonderful plants for free. Clip just above growth nodes to give the plant something to work with as it grows new leaves. Temperature and Humidity Be careful not to over-water your plant, though. Porous soil allows excess water to drain instead of holding onto all that unneeded water. This plant is only a semi-tropical plant. ". Your begonia has indicated this need by stretching its leaves in the direction of a brighter light source. You Might Also Like: Mix together well and moisten with water. It takes about 1,000,000 begonia seeds to make up 1 ounce, with each seed weighing about 28 micrograms. The leaves are hairy and wavy. The Begonia tuberous plant creates beautiful pink flowers. Because your begonia cannot afford to produce both stems and leaves, it focuses on stems in the hope of achieving better illumination. Prefers partial shade and organically rich, moist but well-drained soils. There is an entire group of hybrid begonias that the world knows as Rex Cultorum meaning that they can all trace their . As with other begonias, the rex and other foliage begonias prefer the same humid, gentle environment in which understory ferns thrive. . Place the cutting at a 45-degree angle in a fresh pot of peat moss and perlite. Tuberous and rhizomatous begonias benefit from leaf removal and will reward you with new shoots and more perfectly formed growth. But don't let the soil become overly dry or the plant will begin to wither. Rex begonias do best in moderate temperatures (60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit) and moderately high humidity (around 50 percent). A Rex Begonia can grow to be 12 to 18 inches in height. It's best to divide the tubers in the early spring, after the buds have begun to swell. A dimly lit environment will encourage your begonia to send out long stalks in search of light. Begin by removing the tallest, thinnest stalks. 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. 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, . How Much Light Do Anthuriums Need? A small amount of root-binding is ideal for keeping your plant compact and lush. Use liquid fertilizer weekly at quarter strength or at half strength every two weeks. Remove the stem with a sharp knife and slice the leaf into wedges, each piece with a main vein. Can you divide Rex Begonias? Develop the tech skills you need for work and life. Youll also need to make sure theres plenty of air circulation. It's best to divide the tubers in the early spring, after the buds have begun to swell. It may seem brutal, but there really isnt much to it. Rex begonias are beautiful and easy to propagate from leaf cuttings. This means it wont absorb the fertilizer. When a previously lush and leafy specimen produces an excess of stems and stalks, it shoots up until its nothing more than a tuft of greenery on a long bundle of sticks. Rex begonias grow from a rhizome, which is a root system that sprouts buds and roots to grow into the plant. How many Begonia rex plants can I put in one pot? 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! Plant with the flat or concave section of the root facing up. When it comes to fast-draining soil, porous soil works the best. The weaker stems lean and nod, and your plant takes up more room in your arrangement. Some Begonias go dormant for the winter and others have no dormant period and continue to grow and flower for the entire winter. Avoid putting a pin through a main leaf vein, or that vein may not root. I mist mine daily and water the soil once a week. {"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":"