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. Youll only need to refill the tray with water once its empty. Brush fungicide onto each cut surface of the roots to prevent disease. Divide rex begonia in early spring right before the plant begins growing again. They need room to spread. Within minutes youll see plant pests popping up deceased. 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. As with other begonias, the rex and other foliage begonias prefer the same humid, gentle environment in which understory ferns thrive. Remove the begonia from its container and gently tease the roots apart, position it in the pot and backfill around it. I mist mine daily and water the soil once a week. You start by filling a tray with smooth pebbles. Repot your begonias only when they are completely root-bound. This article was last updated on 12/27/21 Creach Greenhouse and The Plant Farm are family owned and operated. Step 1: Gather your materials for propagating rex begonias. Brush fungicide onto each cut surface of the roots to prevent disease. 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, . To water propagate your Begonia, all you have to do is partially submerge the stem in water, leaving the leaves sticking out. You may get several cuttings depending on the size of your leaf. 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. Insert the cuttings in moist, free-draining potting mix and place the set up in a warm, shaded place. Pests love hopping from one plant to another. Male and female flowers are borne separately on the same plant, the male . 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. To fix a leggy begonia, first, determine what is causing the overgrowth and then correct it by increasing light, temperature, or changing the plants 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. 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. On the other hand separating the rhizome takes the most work since you need to get the plant out of its container. All rights reserved. In the video, Alan of The Plant Farm talks about the unique Rex Begonia and how to propagate it. How to Divide Bearded Irises Pin the leaf down so that each cut makes good contact with the seed-starting mix. A very well draining potting mix with added sand and perlite. 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. How many Begonia rex plants can I put in one pot? They assume that the plant needs more water. Rex begonias do best in moderate temperatures (60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit) and moderately high humidity (around 50 percent). Keep your begonias in a growing environment that is between 58 72F (14 22C) for the best results. Keep your leaf cutting near 70 degrees and give it plenty of humidity. a Few Hardy Begonias @ These leaves are arranged in an asymmetrical manner on the stems. Mix a tablespoon of baking soda, a tablespoon of canola oil, and a tablespoon of dish soap. Rather, your plant is balding, which many older gardeners can certainly relate to! 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. Among the various types of begonias, Begonia rex is one of the most beautiful and dramatic plants. These plants can grow wide. This is how you may get more of these wonderful plants for free. Tuberous begonia. Begonia fungicide is available at garden centres. Fill a 4-inch container with commercial potting mixture. 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. The cutting should then be placed in a clean pot filled with moistened potting mix. Then go ahead and fill the tray with water. Begonias are some of my favorite indoor plants. Another interesting andbeautiful begonia is B.masoniana, also known as the Iron Cross begonia. All rights reserved. A systemic fungicide can help. Step 2 - Prepare the New Location. Keep the temperature setting at about 70 degrees. Mix together well and moisten with water. Carefully cut away the rotted portion of the roots, and re-pot in better soil. Active Interest Media Holdco, Inc. Copyright 2023. Propagating a Begonia rex doesnt have to be complicated. For a Begonia, use regular houseplant fertilizer at half strength every two to three weeks in spring and summer. 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. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. If you do this too often, it can create powdery mildew. The Begonia is a stunning houseplant with colored leaves that grows from a rhizome. You need to remove all dead or harmed roots right away. This plant is only a semi-tropical plant. This article has been viewed 38,009 times. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. Pin into place with wire. To treat this disease, remove all infected leaves on the plant. Flip the begonia leaf over and make a -inch cut across five or six of the largest veins with your knife. If you have a heat mat for seedlings, that will help the begonia leaf cuttings get off to a faster start. I like to take leaf cuttings because its so fascinating to watch a single leaf sprout a whole bunch of babies. It may seem brutal, but there really isnt much to it. After youve trimmed your plant to the desired height, pinch off new growth sprouting at the top on a regular basis. Regular LED Lights vs. Grow Lights, just didn't know how. Can you divide Rex Begonias? It should have drainage holes. Find out how, in our step-by-step guide. Remove the stem with a sharp knife and slice the leaf into wedges, each piece with a main vein. Protecting your leaf cutting from harm while it starts to root is important. Blight plant disease is challenging to battle. Stick the leaf petioles or wedges into the soil, and slip the tray into a plastic bag. 2023 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. However, while they do best in partial shade and indirect light, this is not the same as no light at all. The best time to divide is during the repotting period in the spring or summer. I like to take leaf cuttings because its so fascinating to watch a single leaf sprout a whole bunch of babies. Gently remove the begonia from its container and immediately transplant it into the new medium. Water the begonia transplant and acclimate it in an area out of direct sun. #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. How to Divide Bearded Irises. Youll also need to make sure theres plenty of air circulation. Fertilize your begonias. University of Connecticut Home and Garden Information Center. Step 3: Cut the rex begonia leaf. This Begonia species have leaves with a fun fuzzy feel. If you give them more than an inch, theyll take a mile, and in this case, the mile in question is straight up. Place your plant or bury the rhizome in a shallow container filled with rich, aerated plant mix. You can also use artificial lights for this Begonia. The temperature should be between 65-75F (18-24C). If it has, remove the rotten roots. When the plants are 3 inches tall and have at least two leaves, theyre ready to lift. It should sit right under the top layer. 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. The Rex Begonia requires bright but indirect sunlight. It can be challenging to find just the right conditions for rex begonia to display its best leaf color. Amend the medium with a couple of tablespoons of ground limestone to help control humidity. The resulting hybrids are often known in the trade only by fancy trade names used to market the plants. There are a few different methods that can be used to propagate rex begonias, but the most common is stem propagation. Don't water the leaves, only the soil to avoid fungal disease issues. Begonia rex plants can quickly get mildew or fungal diseases. Above: Moist soil, happy begonia. How to Grow Tuberous Begonias Sometimes called painted-leaf begonias or fancy-leaf begonias, these plants are known for their variegated leaves. Whats more, dividing rex begonias reinvigorates them and makes them grow better. Jenny Harrington has been a freelance writer since 2006. Develop the tech skills you need for work and life. To prevent transplant shock (common with heavy-handed transplants), water the plant 24hrs before the main event. By cleverly planting multiple plants in the same space, each with sprouted cuttings from the parent plant, you can give the appearance of a bushier plant. Have a lovely tuberous begonia who has been blooming well since August but is leggy now in December. Get rid of these infected leaves right away. 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. Step 2: Take a leaf cutting from your rex begonia. . Dividing and conquering the fastest-growing genus: Towards a natural sectional classification of the mega-diverse genus Begonia (Begoniaceae). 2. Read our. Dont forget to rotate your plant whenever possible, so all parts are getting equal amounts of light. Knowing which Begonia you have can help a lot in having success with bringing the plants indoors for the winter. One of our favorite methods for creating high humidity is the pebble tray method. Whether you need to fix, build, create or learn, eHow gives you practical solutions to the problems life throws at you. Turn the begonia leaf back over and press it into the seed-starting mix. 6. When peat moss is unavailable, Ive had success substituting coir or sphagnum moss for it in this blend. According to Cornell University, your Begonia is susceptible to this disease in wet or humid environments. The best light for rex begonia vine when growing indoors. Its a natural oil and isnt known to harm many plants. Avoid putting a pin through a main leaf vein, or that vein may not root. Rex begonias can be bought at the following online retailers: Logees, Amazon and Etsy, and many other online and offline shops. This is to prevent the spread of spores and fungi. Keep your leaf cutting near 70 degrees and give it plenty of humidity. Grown for their foliage, the leaves come in shades of green, red, pink and silver. Its beautiful leaves are sensitive to direct sunlight. After reading this, I am quite confident that I can now save my favorite plants, and to have many more! It grows 8 inches tall and wide. 2. This article is about how to care for Begonia rex. 3. Cut the germinated tubers longitudinally, each with 1 to 2 buds, and plant in a pot after the incision is dried. Straight perlite is very easy for starting new rhizomes. Well walk you through both methods step-by-step down below. The plant requires less water during winter, when it often enters a dormant . So, they water the plant more and more. Trim the cutting to just below the next node along for cane or tuberous begonias. These strange plant pests are soft-bodied. You deal with powdery mildew when you see a white powdery substance all over your plant. . Cultivars which are usually derived from Begonia tuberhybrida are a favourite of gardeners for their bright colours and long flowering season. You can test the moisture with your finger. Now that weve restored your radiant beauty, lets look at how to keep that legginess from reappearing. Plus, there will be minimal damage to your plant. Since you must wait for the roots to dry, prepare the plant pot. BBC Gardeners' World Magazine. % of people told us that this article helped them. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Always be careful during this process, you dont want to damage the Rex Begonia plants roots. 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 . It's best to divide the tubers in the early spring, after the buds have begun to swell. Soil Airy, light, fast-draining soil is best for rex begonias. . How to Divide 45 Favorite Perennials 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. A brief period of unusual warmth will inspire your begonia to make the most of the summery conditions, resulting in a leggy plant. The leaves are narrow and spotted white. Other varieties may not require as much vigorous pruning, but even the most delicate begonia will benefit from having its overgrown stalks and stems trimmed back. Strip off the lower leaves. Rex Begonia. Rex begonias need thorough watering but should not be overwatered. Flip the begonia leaf over and use your knife to make a 12-inch cut across five or six of the main veins. Taxon 67(2): 267-323. Begonias are easily propagated at home. It suffocates the pests within only minutes. A temperature between 65-75F (18-24C) is ideal. After youve pruned your begonia, it will begin to sprout new leaves. Using a shovel or flat-edged spade, slice completely around the outer perimeter of the plant, a few inches away from the foliage. Because rhizomes have shallow roots, a shallow pot will do. Trimming a cane begonia allows you to remove up to two-thirds of any stem without fear of killing the plant. When used sparingly, this will encourage the growth of those lovely leaves without inspiring them to reach for the stars. It can be a tattered, older leaf, but on the underside, the main veins should be plump and undamaged. Divide rhizomatous begonias in spring, ensuring that each portion of the rhizome bears one or more growing points. Replace any fluids lost during pruning by giving your plant a good drink and returning it to its original location to recover. The vibrant colored leaves of a Begonia Rex start to fade and look bleached when it is getting too much direct sun. Lush Garden 5.95K subscribers 108K views 2 years ago #begoniarex #waterpropagation #begoniarex. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features NFL Sunday Ticket Press Copyright . Cut the leaf into wedges to do so lay the leaf flat on your work space. Move your Begonia Rex to an eastern exposure and the new leaves will be fine. Gently transplant the babies into 3-inch pots. If you grow cane or wing begonias, give this technique a try with them, as well! Let me show you how to get more of these great plants practically free! Debra is a member of The Spruce Gardening andPlant Care Review Board. How to Water Houseplants The weaker stems lean and nod, and your plant takes up more room in your arrangement. A few stones may help keep the begonia leaf from curling up and away from the mix, as well. 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. A few stones may help keep the begonia leaf from curling up and away from the mix, as well. When shopping for a new pot, choose one that is only an inch (2.5cm) or so wider across the top. Move your plant to a shadier area. You Might Also Like: Very good article. Once fall hits, the plant goes dormant. You should only fertilize this plant during the growing season when new growth emerges. We may receive a commission from sales referred by our links; however, we 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. Be careful not to over-water your plant, though. Replant the original piece and pot or plant the remaining piece. Another method involves spritzing the leaves of your plant now and then. These elegant plants arent hard to propagate. 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. {"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":"