It suffocates the pests within only minutes. One of our favorite methods for creating high humidity is the pebble tray method. Dip the cut end in a rooting hormone. Pin into place with wire. Even the best specimen plant can only be expected to thrive for a few years. 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. The weaker stems lean and nod, and your plant takes up more room in your arrangement. The biggest plant disease you want to avoid from over-watering is root rot. Learn more Rex begonias are striking known as painted-leaf begonias or fancy-leaf begonias because of their stunning leaf coloration. Debra is a member of The Spruce Gardening andPlant Care Review Board. Dip each piece into hormone rooting powder and shake off the excess. The soil should always be moist. Begonia rhizomes are sensitive to soggy soil or overwatering and may rot. Don't water the leaves, only the soil to avoid fungal disease issues. Airy, light, fast-draining soil is best for rex begonias. Because rhizomes have shallow roots, a shallow pot will do. 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. 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. 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. 1. How to Divide Bearded Irises. "I've been losing all my beautiful leaves off most of my favorite plants! Cut the stem off all the way back to the base of the leaf. Finally, pinch back stray leaves on a regular basis to keep your begonia lush. The rex begonia plant thrives in humid environments and exposure to bright indirect sunlight. Expect one or two plants per cut. I mist mine daily and water the soil once a week. It can be challenging to find just the right conditions for rex begonia to display its best leaf color. So, they water the plant more and more. You should only allow the top inch or so of the soil to dry out before you water. This stops any plant disease from spreading. It's best to divide the tubers in the early spring, after the buds have begun to swell. How to Root Succulents with Leaf Cuttings To be cautious, I always rinse all my supplies (and my hands) in a solution of 1 teaspoon bleach to 1 quart of water. We are compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to on this site. Anthurium Light Tips, How Cold Can Anthurium Tolerate Temperature and Humidity. If there are several plants in one pot, they will crowd together. In most cases, it is easiest to divide a perennial plant by first digging and lifting the entire plant. Begonia rex Taxonomy ID: 200043 (for references in articles please use NCBI:txid200043) current name. A small infestation isnt a big deal; once it grows, your plant can be in big trouble. 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 . Lift the Rex begonia tuber from the pot with a spade or your hands. Strip off the lower leaves. Fertilize your begonia no more than once a month during the growing season for best results. These plants can grow wide. Spray your plant down every three weeks or so. Find out how, in our step-by-step guide. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. 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. Bright indirect sunlight, and can tolerate direct sunlight too. You can use a mixture of perlite, vermiculite and peat moss, if you prefer. Potting soil, peat moss, perlite, vermiculite. When an infestation is too big for you to handle, consider pesticides. High humidity isnt necessary for a Rex begonia. Its also the most common issue youll come across. Porous soil allows excess water to drain instead of holding onto all that unneeded water. We may receive a commission from sales referred by our links; however, we Cut away any shrivelled or soft and rotten sections of the tuber and discard these. And the Begonia rex isnt the only wonder species out there. Youll also want to check the roots to ensure root rot hasnt started. With a sharp spade, cut a piece off. Place your Rex begonia in either a north or east-facing window to get bright indirect light indoors. Like most Begonia species, such as Begonia maculata, the Begonia rex is easy to care for. Etiolation is the rapid growth of the portion of the stem between the leaves. This plant is only a semi-tropical plant. 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. This beautiful plant was introduced to cultivation in 1952 and has puckered leaves with a dark cross in the middle. BBC Gardeners' World Magazine. By using our site, you agree to our. Avoid putting a pin through a main leaf vein, or that vein may not root. You may have everything you need at home already. Leave them in place until they start to get in the way. Toxic to pets such as cats and dogs and horses. Rex begonias can be bought at the following online retailers: Logees, Amazon and Etsy, and many other online and offline shops. Previously, she owned her own business, selling handmade items online, wholesale and at crafts fairs. Begonia Rex has tiny seeds that need warmth to germinate. Its a very satisfying way to keep your begonias dramatic foliage. The leaves are narrow and spotted white. According to Cornell University, your Begonia is susceptible to this disease in wet or humid environments. Start as many leaves as will fit in your tray or pot without the leaves touching. Overgrowth occurs in all begonias, but it is most noticeable in cane begonias. Take a transparent bottle half filled with water. 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. Step 3: Cut the rex begonia leaf. They bloom in several colors, including pink, orange, and red. The problem is that a rex begonia with some leaves bitten off is really a disaster on the gardening front. Rex begonias grow from a rhizome, which is a root system that sprouts buds and roots to grow into the plant. 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. Soil Airy, light, fast-draining soil is best for rex begonias. It came from Assam, India which is in the Himalayan foothills. Ingestions may lead to vomiting, kidney failure in grazing animals, and salvation in cats and dogs. Check for rot in your cuttings once a week. Rex begonias grow from a rhizome, which is a root system that sprouts buds and roots to grow into the plant. Theyre perfect for the pastel plant lover. Find a rex begonia leaf you want to propagate and cut it off the plant. Rex begonia can be difficult to grow because of its need for high humidity. Check weekly. They thrive on humidity but be careful if misting leaves that they don't stay too wet and encourage powdery mildew. 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. Water when the top 1 of soil becomes almost dry about once a week. However, while they do best in partial shade and indirect light, this is not the same as no light at all. This Begonia creates both gorgeous leaves and flowers. BBC Gardeners' World Magazine. Plus, you want to trap in moisture so itll grow quicker. Provide 50% humidity. When choosing your pot, a good general rule of thumb is no more than 20cm across the top for each begonia. And always make sure the first inch of soil is dry before you water your Begonia rex. Keep it out of direct sunlight, but in a warm, well-lit spot. I like to take leaf cuttings because its so fascinating to watch a single leaf sprout a whole bunch of babies. Let me show you how to get more of these great plants practically free! How to Make a Kokedama. 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. While this may appear barbaric, it will prompt your blushing beauty to produce not one, but two new sprouts from the trimmed tip. This plant dislikes cold temperatures. Even though high humidity isnt required, it keeps the plant full, lush, and healthy. 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. Rex begonias are often troubled by powdery mildew and botrytis fungal disease. Begonias are prone to fungal infections, and bleach kills any lurkers. This means they steal the hydration and nutrition from the plant. Tamp down the medium to hold the cutting upright. When the water evaporates, it creates moisture in the air. This moisture goes straight to your plant since it sits atop the water source. (6 Useful Methods of Use). You Might Also Like: Leave them in place until they start to get in the way. How to Divide Bearded Irises Pin the leaf down so that each cut makes good contact with the seed-starting mix. 2. Begonias are some of my favorite indoor plants. Trim the cutting to just below the next node along for cane or tuberous begonias. Keep the temperature setting at about 70 degrees. Because of its thick stems, this Begonia is known as a fibrous Begonia. There are wide different Begonia rex varieties available: Begonia rex has vibrant foliage that ranges from red to green to purple with various patterns. See those tiny plants unfurling? My begonia is so leggy that I wonder if when I cut it I can cut the stems several times to propagate them? Creach Greenhouse and The Plant Farm are family owned and operated. Finally, pinch back stray leaves on a regular basis to keep your begonia lush. If you do this too often, it can create powdery mildew. 50%. There are three types of begonia propagation: stem cuttings, leaf cuttings, and division. To prevent transplant shock (common with heavy-handed transplants), water the plant 24hrs before the main event. NCBI BLAST name . This is because the leaves are covered in calcium oxalate crystals. And some are smooth, some fuzzy. You need to remove all dead or harmed roots right away. Tuberous and rhizomatous begonias benefit from leaf removal and will reward you with new shoots and more perfectly formed growth. Then you can use the mix to spray down your plant. The original leaf probably will have torn apart and may have even disintegrated. Another way to prevent pests is to remove dead or dying leaves right away permanently. Pruning and pinching will help you concentrate the growth of your plant and make it denser and bushier. 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. . Fading leaves on a Begonia rex indicate too much direct sunlight. Rex begonias make excellent house plants, and are easy to divide so you can gift them to friends. This article will show you the easiest way to propagate a rex begonia leaf. If you grow cane or wing begonias, give this technique a try with them, as well! Then simply immerse the entire stalk in water. 1. Be careful not to over-water your plant, though. - . Within minutes youll see plant pests popping up deceased. Its a natural oil and isnt known to harm many plants. Its usually an easy process if you know what steps to take. A brief period of unusual warmth will inspire your begonia to make the most of the summery conditions, resulting in a leggy 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. It can be a tattered, older leaf, but on the underside, the main veins should be plump and undamaged. You can root these cuttings in perlite, potting soil, or any other sterile media. Move your Begonia Rex to an eastern exposure and the new leaves will be fine. 8 Causes of Polka Dot Plant Dying (And Solutions), Are Pebbles Good for Soil? Its best to do your pruning in the warmer months when the plant is growing, too. Place this in a warm area of your home, but out of the path of direct sunlight. Fill the tray with damp potting mix and youre ready for the fun part taking the cuttings! You could also put your leaf cuttings in an east window as long as the temperature stays consistently warm. Use regular houseplant fertilizer tri-weekly diluted to half-strength. Airy, light, fast-draining soil is best for rex begonias. 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. Insert the garden fork about 6 inches from the plant so the roots won't be damaged by the fork. The best way to thicken the stem of your begonia is to simply wait. This is a common method for dividing hardy begonias. It can harm or even kill your plant. But doing this can mean accidentally over-watering your plant, which makes using fast-draining soil super important. A tuber ready to divide should be large and also have at least two clear stems. 2. To water propagate your Begonia, all you have to do is partially submerge the stem in water, leaving the leaves sticking out. Unlike other houseplants, bigger plant pots are better. Water until it begins dripping from the bottom drainage holes to ensure it is moist throughout. Your plant cannot photosynthesize and produce food if it is not exposed to light. The soil should be watered to feel slightly, but evenly moist. They thrive on humidity but be careful if misting leaves that they don't stay too wet and encourage powdery mildew. . Begonias are easily propagated at home. There are several ways to create humidity for any indoor plant. You dont want it to take off again, so keep an eye on it. Water the begonia transplant and acclimate it in an area out of direct sun. Look for a healthy, full-grown leaf on the parent rex begonia plant. Your begonia has indicated this need by stretching its leaves in the direction of a brighter light source. It contains soluble calcium oxalates. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. This is how you may get more of these wonderful plants for free. Since you must wait for the roots to dry, prepare the plant pot. Get rid of these infected leaves right away. Make sure the soil is always moist. You can test the moisture with your finger. ". I am personally against misting the leaves of plants manually as mist on the leaves can cause leaf rot if the airflow is not sufficient to dry them quickly. Mermaid Tail Succulent Care #1 Best Tips. They are resilient and thrive under that level of pruning. Jon VanZile was a writer for The Spruce covering houseplants and indoor gardening for almost a decade. In the video, Alan of The Plant Farm talks about the unique Rex Begonia and how to propagate it. A leggy begonia appears bare, with an insufficient amount of foliage. Its leaves can be almost round, angel-wing shaped, or any other form. Begonia seeds are tiny and you might mistake them for dust or pollen. This article has been viewed 38,009 times. The bright side is if you find an infestation early, its easy to get rid of. Let the soil dry between waterings and avoid overwatering as it may cause fungal diseases or rot. Cut the germinated tubers longitudinally, each with 1 to 2 buds, and plant in a pot after the incision is dried. Step 2 - Cut with a sharp knife. It's best to divide the tubers in the early spring, after the buds have begun to swell. Cut the tuber with a sharp knife directly between the two stems. {"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":"