The humidity levels are too low (but don't mist the plant because rex begonias do not like wet foliage). 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. Texas A&M University AgriLife Extension Plant Disease Handbook. 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. Now, set your plant on the pebbles. Rex begonias are beautiful and easy to propagate from leaf cuttings. Make sure you pack the soil tightly around the cutting. Compact grow lights are very common and simple to use and will provide your begonia with the light levels it requires to stay in one place rather than legging it off in search of a brighter day. Keep the temperature setting at about 70 degrees. Pruning and pinching will help you concentrate the growth of your plant and make it denser and bushier. The vibrant colored leaves of a Begonia Rex start to fade and look bleached when it is getting too much direct sun. Keep it out of direct sunlight, but in a warm, well-lit spot. Even though high humidity isnt required, it keeps the plant full, lush, and healthy. It may seem brutal, but there really isnt much to it. Dont remove the plastic wrap until a few new leaves have grown. The roots should be completely covered in soil. You can cut off up to two-thirds of the top of any given cane begonia. Begonia rex plants can quickly get mildew or fungal diseases. The rex begonia plant thrives in humid environments and exposure to bright indirect sunlight. 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. In no time you should start to see new growth springing up from the site of the old, woody stems. 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. {"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":"

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Public Domain<\/a>\n<\/p><\/div>"}, Can LED Lights Grow Plants? 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? These strange plant pests are soft-bodied. If youre afraid to damage the roots, use pruning shears for this step. Among the various types of begonias, Begonia rex is one of the most beautiful and dramatic plants. Simply keeping your new dense delight well-watered and well-lit will result in thicker, more luscious growth. Move your plant to a shadier area. Avoid nicking or cutting the tuber if you are using a spade. Fill a 4-inch container with commercial potting mixture. Let the soil surface become dry to the touch before watering. Dig up the begonia and then look to see where it naturally sections. 50%. Keep in mind youll want to use distilled water for this plant. They can take up to 6 weeks to emerge, so be patient. Plant one Begonia rex per pot. Trimming a cane begonia allows you to remove up to two-thirds of any stem without fear of killing the plant. Allow the top layer of soil to become completely dry in between waterings. Managine Pests in Gardens: BegoniaBegoniaspp. The vast majority of begonias offered in the trade are hybrids so they cannot be accurately propagated from seed. A leggy begonia, like an adolescent, is one that is rapidly growing. Overgrowth occurs in all begonias, but it is most noticeable in cane begonias. 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. Begonia. #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. Is it skewed in one direction? Once a nice cluster of roots has formed, they can be potted as a separate plant in their own right. 2. How to propagate Begonia Rex from stem cuttings Take 4-6 in. Tuberous begonia. Because of its thick stems, this Begonia is known as a fibrous Begonia. How to Divide Bearded Irises Pin the leaf down so that each cut makes good contact with the seed-starting mix. Place your plant or bury the rhizome in a shallow container filled with rich, aerated plant mix. Begonias are some of my favorite indoor plants. You should only fertilize this plant during the growing season when new growth emerges. When to Start Seeds Indoors A temperature between 65-75F (18-24C) is ideal. Prefers partial shade and organically rich, moist but well-drained soils. (6 Useful Methods of Use). Avoid direct sunlight, but any location with good diffuse light will encourage your begonia to bloom with an abundance of alluring foliage. If you can squeeze water from the medium, it is too wet. However, while they do best in partial shade and indirect light, this is not the same as no light at all. Other common problems caused by over-watering include yellowing leaves, fungi, and stunted growth. University of Connecticut Home and Garden Information Center. One of our favorite methods for creating high humidity is the pebble tray method. Fibrous rooted and rhizomatous begonias do not die back once a year like tuberous begonias. wikiHow is a wiki, similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. Carefully cut away the rotted portion of the roots, and re-pot in better soil. 2 Let the soil surface become dry to the touch before watering. Fill the tray with damp potting mix and youre ready for the fun part taking the cuttings! Your begonia, regardless of variety, requires partial shade to bright, indirect light to thrive. This is especially true of cane begonias, which can grow to look almost like bamboo with careful, consistent care. Let the soil dry between waterings and avoid overwatering as it may cause fungal diseases or rot. Lay the plants roots on a paper towel. How Much Light Do Anthuriums Need? At night, the temperature should never drop below 60F (16C). You can purchase this Rooting Powder in our retail store, The Plant Farm located in Spokane Valley, WA. The rex begonia vine can be grown as an indoor plant or as an outdoor plant, though it will not survive cold temperatures outdoors. Stem cuttings are very simple. Let me show you how to get more of these great plants practically free! Place the cutting at a 45-degree angle in a fresh pot of peat moss and perlite. How to propagate Rex Begonia in water? Take a transparent bottle half filled with water. Debra LaGattuta is a gardening expert with three decades of experience in perennial and flowering plants, container gardening, and raised bed vegetable gardening. It isnt too good to be true! You have to remove all the infected leaves, so it doesnt spread. Repot in spring when the rhizome outgrows the pot. How to Grow Tuberous Begonias Keep your begonias in a growing environment that is between 58 72F (14 22C) for the best results. When you cut a leaf, make sure the leaf-cutting has three inches of the petiole attached. Step 2: Take a leaf cutting from your rex begonia. Appearance. Finally, pinch back stray leaves on a regular basis to keep your begonia lush. Her published articles have appeared in various print and online publications. Plus, there will be minimal damage to your plant. If you see silver or grey spores on your plant, it has Botrytis Blight disease. Begonia rex Taxonomy ID: 200043 (for references in articles please use NCBI:txid200043) current name. 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. Begonias are easily propagated at home. Even the best specimen plant can only be expected to thrive for a few years. A small infestation isnt a big deal; once it grows, your plant can be in big trouble. This is because of []. You should only allow the top inch or so of the soil to dry out before you water. Rex begonias require regular water, but be careful not to overwater them. This will help make it stand up. Begonias are prone to fungal infections, and bleach kills any lurkers. With a moderate growth rate, rex begonias may grow to less than 12 inches in a year. have carefully selected these products for their usefulness and quality. 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. Taxon 67(2): 267-323. Slice down several inches deepat least 6 inches for most plants and more for extremely large, well-rooted plants. The begonias eye-catching, asymmetrical leaves make it the star of any collection, but what if your begonia is more stem than a leaf? Cut apart the tuber with a sharp knife, leaving three growing eyes on each piece. Rex Begonia. How to Get Rid of Fruit Flies in Plants 5 Proven Ways! Salsa Rex begonia is a silver-leaf type that's variegated with shades of green and burgundy-red. Cut the germinated tubers longitudinally, each with 1 to 2 buds, and plant in a pot after the incision is dried. Use a pair of sterilized pruning shears to get your leaf cutting. Step 2 - Cut with a sharp knife. You should also make sure theres good air circulation near your plant. When choosing your pot, a good general rule of thumb is no more than 20cm across the top for each begonia. Rex begonias are a colourful addition to your indoor or patio potted plants. Grow them there until theyre big enough to put in the garden or transplant into more permanent pots. Gently remove the begonia from its container and immediately transplant it into the new medium. Begonias are prone to fungal infections, and bleach kills any lurkers. Learn more Rex begonias are striking known as painted-leaf begonias or fancy-leaf begonias because of their stunning leaf coloration. Gather the items on the "Materials & Tools" list above. Dont forget to rotate your plant whenever possible, so all parts are getting equal amounts of light. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Take a close look at the shape of your begonia first. Then, to keep the cuts in contact with the mix, start pushing T-pins through the leaf into the soil. Soil Airy, light, fast-draining soil is best for rex begonias. How long does it take a begonia tuber to How to start a new Virginia creeper from How to propagate and split perennial geraniums, Clemson University Extension: Growing Begonia Indoors. Cuttings taken from leggy specimens are a great way to start new plants. Then you can use the mix to spray down your plant. 8 Causes of Polka Dot Plant Dying (And Solutions), Are Pebbles Good for Soil? This plant pot should have drainage holes on the bottom. This can harm Begonias roots as well as the leaves. There is an entire group of hybrid begonias that the world knows as Rex Cultorum meaning that they can all trace their . Expect one or two plants per cut. Straight perlite is very easy for starting new rhizomes. I like to take leaf cuttings because its so fascinating to watch a single leaf sprout a whole bunch of babies. Place your plant in the shade if grown outdoors. A few stones may help keep the begonia leaf from curling up and away from the mix, as well. Let them dry before you head on to the next step. Cut away any shrivelled or soft and rotten sections of the tuber and discard these. a Few Hardy Begonias @ Use as many as you need to hold the leaf flat. 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. Rex Begonia plants are rhizomatous plants. 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. Trim the cutting to just below the next node along for cane or tuberous begonias. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Do you want to save any of the leaf patches? It is perfectly acceptable to lop off the entire top of your leggy begonia. Cover your container with its dome or plastic wrap. We earn from qualifying purchases. Provide 50% or more humidity and fertilize every three weeks using a liquid fertilizer diluted to 1/2 strength. Begonias originated in the tropics and thrive in warm, humid climates. They thrive on humidity but be careful if misting leaves that they don't stay too wet and encourage powdery mildew. Make sure the medium is evenly moist but not wet or soggy. Ive cut each vein about an inch from the central vein in the photo above. You can use a pair of sterilized pruning shears to do this. Provide 50% humidity. But be careful not to let the plastic touch the leaves or you could risk fungal problems. Fertilize your begonias. It's best to divide the tubers in the early spring, after the buds have begun to swell. Step 3: Cut the rex begonia leaf. It can be challenging to find just the right conditions for rex begonia to display its best leaf color. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Can you divide Rex Begonias? University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources. And some are smooth, some fuzzy. Snip off flowers and older leaves first to give the division more energy for root growth. 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. Letting the cut sides dry overnight before replanting as well as the use of fungicide helps prevent this. Here are some supplies and tools we find essential in our everyday work in the garden. Examine your begonia growing environment. Read our. Rex begonias are not only lovely and graceful, but they are also very simple to cultivate from leaf cuttings. Use liquid fertilizer weekly at quarter strength or at half strength every two weeks. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Avoid putting a pin through a main leaf vein, or that vein may not root. There are several ways to create humidity for any indoor 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. Ive cut each vein about an inch from the central vein in the photo above. Begonia seeds are tiny and you might mistake them for dust or pollen. It contains soluble calcium oxalates. You can also use artificial lights for this Begonia. And always make sure the first inch of soil is dry before you water your Begonia rex. Cut the leaf into wedges to do so lay the leaf flat on your work space. Then spray your Begonia down with the oil. Expect one or two plants per cut. To treat this disease, remove all infected leaves on the plant. Beefsteak geranium,King begonia,painted-leaf begonia,Rex begonia. Avoid putting a pin through a main leaf vein, or that vein may not root. ". 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. To be cautious, I always rinse all my supplies (and my hands) in a solution of 1 teaspoon bleach to 1 quart of water. A stem cutting should be two to four inches in length and come from a healthy plant. [], [] want to dilute the neem oil with water in a spray bottle. The Begonia tuberous plant creates beautiful pink flowers. They frequently have large leaves (up to 6 inches long) that are brightly colored in various shades of green, red, silver, and even purple. You could also put your leaf cuttings in an east window as long as the temperature stays consistently warm. The easiest method to turn one Rex Begonia into two (or more) Rex Begonias is by dividing the . 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. Water until it begins dripping from the bottom drainage holes to ensure it is moist throughout. 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. Use regular houseplant fertilizer tri-weekly diluted to half-strength. Begonia propagation is just as easy without it. The water shouldnt flow over the pebbles. Rex begonias make excellent presents and are easy to divide. I like to take leaf cuttings because its so fascinating to watch a single leaf sprout a whole bunch of babies. How to Divide Bearded Irises. Fill the tray with damp potting mix and youre ready for the fun part taking the cuttings! The best time to divide is during the repotting period in the spring or summer. Common Issues with Strawberry Begonia. The original Rex Begonia had dark leaves with wonderful silver designs. The Rex begonia is a rhizomatous plant with stems creeping on the surface. Powdery mildew is a pain to get rid of, but its possible with a lot of effort. 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. Using a little bit of root tone and a small amount of fungicide to keep. Rex begonias require high humidity and heavy fertilization during the growing period. This plant dislikes cold temperatures. Alternatively, you can propagate using water as a medium for Begonias. Step 3: Cut the rex begonia leaf. 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. Your begonia has indicated this need by stretching its leaves in the direction of a brighter light source. Youll want to repeat this process about three days later. 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. Dip the cut end in a rooting hormone. This plant can come in various colors depending on how its bred. 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. Another way to prevent pests is to remove dead or dying leaves right away permanently. Over-watering can make your plant sick and fast. Because they are not aggressive bloomers, they can tolerate less light than other begonias and will thrive under fluorescent lights. Pests love hopping from one plant to another. They bloom in several colors, including pink, orange, and red. So what are you waiting for? Brush fungicide onto each cut surface of the roots to prevent disease. 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. Rex begonias do produce delicate flowers but are usually grown for their spectacularly colored and intriguingly textured leaves. . The seeds . This can take about two or three weeks. By using our site, you agree to our. Repot your begonias only when they are completely root-bound. A systemic fungicide can help. If you give them more than an inch, theyll take a mile, and in this case, the mile in question is straight up. When the plants are 3 inches tall and have at least two leaves, theyre ready to lift. Fill an 8-inch diameter pot with well-draining soil mix. Tuberous, rhizomatous, and waxy begonias do not suffer as frequently as cane varieties, but long and malformed leaves can still be seen. 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, . If you grow cane or wing begonias, give this technique a try with them, as well! Once you see the plant roots coming through the pots drainage holes, its time to re-pot it. 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. Spray the mixture with water until it's damp clear through, but not dripping. Rex begonias are often troubled by powdery mildew and botrytis fungal disease. Cut the tuber with a sharp knife directly between the two stems. To grow a begonia in a pot, you need to allow for growth, so ensure you choose a pot that is twice the width and depth of the plant. This is how you may get more of these wonderful plants for free. . As a result, you might find that the same crosses have different names in different garden centers. Place this in a warm area of your home, but out of the path of direct sunlight. 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. Nothing should go to waste. Pot in well-draining soil and feed with a balanced fertilizer in the spring and early summer months. Jon VanZile was a writer for The Spruce covering houseplants and indoor gardening for almost a decade. It takes about 1,000,000 begonia seeds to make up 1 ounce, with each seed weighing about 28 micrograms. Rex begonias are semi-tropical perennial plants native to Asia, usually grown as house plants. Its beautiful leaves are sensitive to direct sunlight. Ingestions may lead to vomiting, kidney failure in grazing animals, and salvation in cats and dogs. Deer will eat the former and turn up their noses with the latter. After you've resolved the initial problem, prune your plant from the top-down, removing the leggy parts. For a previously leggy plant, a good all-purpose balanced liquid fertilizer is ideal. Lush Garden 5.95K subscribers 108K views 2 years ago #begoniarex #waterpropagation #begoniarex. 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. Its a very satisfying way to keep your begonias dramatic foliage. In most cases, it is easiest to divide a perennial plant by first digging and lifting the entire plant. Do begonias winter inside? If you have a heat mat for seedlings, that will help the begonia leaf cuttings get off to a faster start. Allow the soil to dry out a little between waterings. This is to prevent the spread of spores and fungi.