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

Water sparingly and allow to drain. You can use a mixture of perlite, vermiculite and peat moss, if you prefer. The water will evaporate over time, keeping humidity in the air at all times. #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. Another interesting andbeautiful begonia is B.masoniana, also known as the Iron Cross begonia. Tamp down the medium to hold the cutting upright. How to Grow Tuberous Begonias Once you see the plant roots coming through the pots drainage holes, its time to re-pot it. The vast majority of begonias offered in the trade are hybrids so they cannot be accurately propagated from seed. In worst-case scenarios, it can kill your pet. He is a professional writer whose articles on plants and horticulture have appeared in national and regional newspapers and magazines. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. After youve resolved the initial problem, prune your plant from the top-down, removing the leggy parts. Can you divide Rex Begonias? Use a garden fork to dig a healthy wax begonia plant. This Begonia creates both gorgeous leaves and flowers. Youll only need to refill the tray with water once its empty. The original leaf probably will have torn apart and may have even disintegrated. University of Connecticut Home and Garden Information Center. 6. The leaves are narrow and spotted white. Giving your leggy begonia a haircut is the absolute best way to deal with it! As with other begonias, the rex and other foliage begonias prefer the same humid, gentle environment in which understory ferns thrive. Do not mist, increase humidity with humidifier or pebble tray. 1. You have to remove all the infected leaves, so it doesnt spread. Is it skewed in one direction? Allow the soil to dry out a little between waterings. tall and wide (25-30 cm). A Begonia rex needs porous fast-draining soil using peat moss, perlite, and vermiculite. And always make sure the first inch of soil is dry before you water your Begonia rex. Its a great way to get your begonia bushing out instead of legging it upwards. All rights reserved. On transplant day, dig a hole sufficient to accommodate the begonia's root ball or tubers (in the case of tuberous begonia). A leggy begonia appears bare, with an insufficient amount of foliage. Provide 50% or more humidity and fertilize every three weeks using a liquid fertilizer diluted to 1/2 strength. What if I told you that you could propagate a bunch of beautiful rex begonias for almost nothing? Leave them in place until they start to get in the way. But you should always test a small area of your plant to be on the safe side. A temperature between 65-75F (18-24C) is ideal. I mist mine daily and water the soil once a week. 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. Its beautiful leaves are sensitive to direct sunlight. Since you must wait for the roots to dry, prepare the plant pot. Stand the stem into the bottle, and keep foliage above water or on top of the bottle. Unlike other types of legginess, this is not caused by excessive growth. The easiest way is to run a faucet or hose over the roots. Begonias are easily propagated at home. Trim the cutting to just below the next node along for cane or tuberous begonias. This article is about how to care for Begonia rex. How to Root Succulents with Leaf Cuttings Rex Begonia. Mist the foliage of Rex (foliage) type begonias twice a week or provide high humidity to avoid leaf drop. If you grow cane or wing begonias, give this technique a try with them, as well! Let me show you the secret to propagating rex begonias from leaf cuttings. How to Divide Bearded Irises. The rex begonia is toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. Fill the plant pot with porous and fast-draining soil. You will want to be looking at the underneath side of the leaf. This stops any plant disease from spreading. This article has been viewed 38,009 times. When it comes to fast-draining soil, porous soil works the best. My begonia is so leggy that I wonder if when I cut it I can cut the stems several times to propagate them? The soil for your Begonia should always be moist. wikiHow is a wiki, similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. Avoid direct sunlight, but any location with good diffuse light will encourage your begonia to bloom with an abundance of alluring foliage. Rex begonias are a special group, because we grow them for their beautiful leaves. Rex begonias grow from a rhizome, which is a root system that sprouts buds and roots to grow into the plant. I mist mine daily and water the soil once a week. . Make sure you sterilize the pruning shears with isopropyl alcohol. To treat this disease, remove all infected leaves on the plant. The original Rex Begonia had dark leaves with wonderful silver designs. This is because the leaves are covered in calcium oxalate crystals. Learn how from The Urban Gardener, Alan Creach of Creach Greenhouse and The Plant Farm.In this video, Alan refers to root tone, which is the same type of product as Bonide Rooting Power, which is what we currently use and recommend at The Plant Farm. Dip each piece into hormone rooting powder and shake off the excess. Expect one or two plants per cut. You should fertilize your winter-blooming plants with a high-phosphorus, water-soluble fertilizer that contains little or no nitrogen. Place the leaf-cutting, so its sticking out of the soil at a 45-degree angle. On the other hand separating the rhizome takes the most work since you need to get the plant out of its container. The Begonia is a stunning houseplant with colored leaves that grows from a rhizome. When an infestation is too big for you to handle, consider pesticides. 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. And the soil should be porous and fast-draining soil. 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. But most come with leaves in a pretty pink with blackened edges. How to Divide Bearded Irises Pin the leaf down so that each cut makes good contact with the seed-starting mix. Then simply immerse the entire stalk in water. Use regular houseplant fertilizer tri-weekly diluted to half-strength. 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. 50%. However, if you have over-fertilized your begonia, it may seize the opportunity to really get going, shooting up and becoming leggy. Rex begonias grow from a rhizome, which is a root system that sprouts buds and roots to grow into the plant. Rex begonias grow from a rhizome, which is a root system that sprouts buds and roots to grow into the plant. Then go ahead and fill the tray with water. We earn from qualifying purchases. Active Interest Media Holdco, Inc. Copyright 2023. The best time to divide is during the repotting period in the spring or summer. Is the Begonia rex plant toxic to animals? Dont be afraid! If you grow cane or wing begonias, give this technique a try with them, as well! With a moderate growth rate, rex begonias may grow to less than 12 inches in a year. A tuber ready to divide should be large and also have at least two clear stems. Remove the stem with a sharp knife and slice the leaf into wedges, each piece with a main vein. Because your begonia cannot afford to produce both stems and leaves, it focuses on stems in the hope of achieving better illumination. Begonias grown indoors are especially susceptible to root rot and overwatering. Active Interest Media Holdco, Inc. Copyright 2023. Why are the leaves on my Begonia rex fading? Lay the plants roots on a paper towel. Even the best specimen plant can only be expected to thrive for a few years. Rather, your plant is balding, which many older gardeners can certainly relate to! Once the plant pot is ready to go, you can go ahead and plant the leaf-cutting. Find out how, in our step-by-step guide. I like to take leaf cuttings because its so fascinating to watch a single leaf sprout a whole bunch of babies. The biggest plant disease you want to avoid from over-watering is root rot. You can use a pair of sterilized pruning shears to do this. Move your Begonia Rex to an eastern exposure and the new leaves will be fine. Spider mites also feed on the sap from your plant. Even though high humidity isnt required, it keeps the plant full, lush, and healthy. Begonia tubers increase in size each year and after three years or so, the flower display will begin to deteriorate. Divide the plant by prising the root ball apart from the top, being careful to keep buds on each section. Use warm water in a misting bottle. 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. There is an entire group of hybrid begonias that the world knows as Rex Cultorum meaning that they can all trace their . (6 Useful Methods of Use). Find a rex begonia leaf you want to propagate and cut it off the plant. Fading leaves on a Begonia rex indicate too much direct sunlight. Divide rex begonia in early spring right before the plant begins growing again. 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. If youre afraid to damage the roots, use pruning shears for this step. Step 3: Cut the rex begonia leaf. This will double the chance of being successful with propagation. Rex begonias require high humidity and heavy fertilization during the growing period. Water the begonia transplant and acclimate it in an area out of direct sun. Youll also need to make sure theres plenty of air circulation. 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. Open the containers lid once a week for 10 minutes to let the cuttings breath. Above: Moist soil, happy begonia. Knowing which Begonia you have can help a lot in having success with bringing the plants indoors for the winter. Youll also want to check the roots to ensure root rot hasnt started. The most toxic parts of this plant grow underground. They also thrive on humidity but don't like direct misting, which encourages powdery mildew. Leave them in place until they start to get in the way. Make sure the soil is always moist. Toxic to pets such as cats and dogs and horses. The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Silver Limbo is a compact, small-leafed variety that offers beautiful metallic-silver foliage that has purple-red backsides. You should avoid freezing temperatures at all times. Be careful not to over-water your plant, though. Stick to the plan above, and your bundle of twigs will be restored to its verdant glory in no time. Rex begonias are a colourful addition to your indoor or patio potted plants. They should always be your last resort because they contain chemicals that can harm the environment. When the water evaporates, it creates moisture in the air. Get the plant pot ready. Prefers partial shade and organically rich, moist but well-drained soils. Read our. This is how you may get more of these wonderful plants for free. Water when the top 1 of soil becomes almost dry about once a week. Fill an 8-inch diameter pot with well-draining soil mix. There is nothing you can do for the old damaged leaves. Begonia rexis the basis for many hundreds of hybrids, and its forms are too numerous to count. When the plants are 3 inches tall and have at least two leaves, theyre ready to lift. Consider using a grow light if you cant find a good bright spot. Begonias shed their lower leaves as they grow older. It needs bright, but indirect sunlight and the soil should always be slightly moist. The easiest method to turn one Rex Begonia into two (or more) Rex Begonias is by dividing the . 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. Keep in mind youll want to use distilled water for this plant. You should also make sure theres good air circulation near your plant. Repot in spring when the rhizome outgrows the pot. 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. Porous soil allows excess water to drain instead of holding onto all that unneeded water. You dont want it to take off again, so keep an eye on it. The vibrant colored leaves of a Begonia Rex start to fade and look bleached when it is getting too much direct sun. If you do this too often, it can create powdery mildew. We may receive a commission from sales referred by our links; however, we 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 when the top 1" of soil becomes almost dry about once a week. 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. The roots should be completely covered in soil. Allow the top layer of soil to become completely dry in between waterings. During the warmer months, take the time to pinch off new growth at the plants crown. The petiole is the stalk that attaches the leaf blade to the plant stem. Propagating a Begonia rex doesnt have to be complicated. Fill containers with fine-textured potting mix and moisten it. Take a long stem cutting from a mature rex begonia plant with single foliage. Dig up the begonia and then look to see where it naturally sections. Keep it out of direct sunlight, but in a warm, well-lit spot. Regarding the Rex Begonia, you want to repot in a shallow pot. If your plant is turning brown, with brittle leaves/dead leaves, it is likely to be one of three causes. Previously, she owned her own business, selling handmade items online, wholesale and at crafts fairs. 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. Rex begonias make excellent presents and are easy to divide. Trimming a cane begonia allows you to remove up to two-thirds of any stem without fear of killing the plant. So what are you waiting for? The salt from the fertilizer can build up in the soil, causing serious fertilizer burn. It's best to divide the tubers in the early spring, after the buds have begun to swell. The humidity levels are too low (but don't mist the plant because rex begonias do not like wet foliage). Managine Pests in Gardens: BegoniaBegoniaspp. Ingestions may lead to vomiting, kidney failure in grazing animals, and salvation in cats and dogs. Rex begonias do produce delicate flowers but are usually grown for their spectacularly colored and intriguingly textured leaves. Powdery mildew is a pain to get rid of, but its possible with a lot of effort. As a result, you might find that the same crosses have different names in different garden centers. Dividing and conquering the fastest-growing genus: Towards a natural sectional classification of the mega-diverse genus Begonia (Begoniaceae). They come in various colors, the most common color being green. The Rex begonia is a rhizomatous plant with stems creeping on the surface. See those tiny plants unfurling? While begonias are prone to becoming leggy, there is a relatively simple fix that can result in even more begonias! Grows up to 10-12 in. Plus, you want to trap in moisture so itll grow quicker. A systemic fungicide can help. Snip off flowers and older leaves first to give the division more energy for root growth. Take a close look at the shape of your begonia first. You want to switch out the saturated soil for fresh, moist soil. But if you place a piece of paper under your plant and shake it, you should see them fall. Protecting your leaf cutting from harm while it starts to root is important. The original leaf probably will have torn apart and may have even disintegrated. This article has been viewed 38,009 times. And make sure your plant is always getting bright but indirect sunlight. There are two main ways to propagate a Rex Begonia. High humidity isnt necessary for a Rex begonia. Cover your container with its dome or plastic wrap. Use as many as you need to hold the leaf flat. Spider mites love Begonias as well. Well walk you through both methods step-by-step down below. How to Make a Kokedama. 4. 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. Mealybugs like to feed on the sap from the inside of a plant. Place this in a warm area of your home, but out of the path of direct sunlight. The temperature should be between 65-75F (18-24C). The scorch marks can be either dark or white. The rex begonia plant thrives in humid environments and exposure to bright indirect sunlight. Begonia roots are prone to rot immediately after dividing. Like most Begonia species, such as Begonia maculata, the Begonia rex is easy to care for. If you have a hanging basket or a table-top pot of . Pot in well-draining soil and feed with a balanced fertilizer in the spring and early summer months. Like many other Begonias, the Begonia rex is susceptible to several plant issues. Its a very satisfying way to keep your begonias dramatic foliage. Propagate by leaf cuttings or sections of rhizome No pruning is required. The resulting hybrids are often known in the trade only by fancy trade names used to market the plants. Its a natural oil and isnt known to harm many plants. These plants can grow wide. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. . Step 1: Gather your materials for propagating rex begonias. But the air in the plants environment cant be dry. The soil should always be moist. How to Make a Kokedama. All rights reserved. Cultivars which are usually derived from Begonia tuberhybrida are a favourite of gardeners for their bright colours and long flowering season. Because rhizomes have shallow roots, a shallow pot will do. Common Issues with Strawberry Begonia. Turn the begonia leaf back over and press it into the seed-starting mix. Harrington's specialties include small business information, crafting, decorating and gardening. Most potted plants have limited resources, and as a result, growth is restricted. Moisten the sphagnum with a sprayer, then cover with glass or plastic wrap to keep moisture in. Begonia rex Taxonomy ID: 200043 (for references in articles please use NCBI:txid200043) current name. This begonia is rhizomatous, growing from a thick, fleshy rhizome that grows just below the surface of the soil. Press seeds onto the surface of the medium and cover them lightly with milled sphagnum. Let them dry before you head on to the next step. This plant pot should have drainage holes on the bottom. The best temperature is 65-75F (18-24C). It grows 8 inches tall and wide. Another method involves spritzing the leaves of your plant now and then. A brief period of unusual warmth will inspire your begonia to make the most of the summery conditions, resulting in a leggy plant. Fill the remainder of the container with the potting mix, carefully firming it up around the begonia and being sure not to plant any deeper than it was growing in its nursery pot. Begonias, according to conventional wisdom, benefit from smaller-than-average pots. Rex begonias do best in moderate temperatures (60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit) and moderately high humidity (around 50 percent).