Begonias are just as at home in a pot as they are in the garden. When an infestation is too big for you to handle, consider pesticides. Tuberous and rhizomatous begonias benefit from leaf removal and will reward you with new shoots and more perfectly formed growth. Debra LaGattuta is a gardening expert with three decades of experience in perennial and flowering plants, container gardening, and raised bed vegetable gardening. Cut apart the tuber with a sharp knife, leaving three growing eyes on each piece. Remove the stem with a sharp knife and slice the leaf into wedges, each piece with a main vein. Use regular houseplant fertilizer tri-weekly diluted to half-strength. Pruning on a regular basis causes the plant to mature and develop a thicker set of stems. Then spray your Begonia down with the oil. 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. Ingestions may lead to vomiting, kidney failure in grazing animals, and salvation in cats and dogs. Unlike other houseplants, bigger plant pots are better. Turn the begonia leaf back over and press it into the seed-starting mix. Rex Begonia. The rhizome is cut apart and divided in order to propagate new plants. 2. This plant pot should have drainage holes on the bottom. Propagate by leaf cuttings or sections of rhizome No pruning is required. But be careful not to let the plastic touch the leaves or you could risk fungal problems. Continue reading to learn how to turn this unfortunate circumstance into a win for your indoor garden. Begonias are prone to mildew and mold. Warm spells are unavoidable I personally avoid using air conditioning if possible due to my other, more heat-loving plants but its best to keep your begonia in a cooler part of your home or office. How Much Light Do Anthuriums Need? Fill a small pot with moistened seed-starting medium. Repot your begonias only when they are completely root-bound. Begonias are prone to fungal infections, and bleach kills any lurkers. This is usually in March. Rex begonias require regular water, but be careful not to overwater them. What if I told you that you could propagate a bunch of beautiful rex begonias for almost nothing? Get the plant pot ready. The Rex begonia is a rhizomatous plant with stems creeping on the surface. Rhizomatous begonias such as the rex begonia can be easily propagated by. Step 1: Gather your materials for propagating rex begonias. How to Grow Tuberous Begonias By dividing/propagating plants you can continue to enjoy them throughout the years. The best way to thicken the stem of your begonia is to simply wait. Houseplant Help: 5 Tips to Keep Finicky Begonia Rex Alive Cut the stem off all the way back to the base of the leaf. This is because the leaves are covered in calcium oxalate crystals. Now, set your plant on the pebbles. These mites arent actual insects but arachnids instead. You Might Also Like: How to Divide Rex Begonias - BBC Gardeners World Magazine Spray your plant down every three weeks or so. 8 Causes of Polka Dot Plant Dying (And Solutions), Are Pebbles Good for Soil? Over-watering can make your plant sick and fast. A great way to prevent powdery mildew is through a spray mix you can make at home. They can take up to 6 weeks to emerge, so be patient. Step 2 - Cut with a sharp knife. Water once it has almost dried out. But most come with leaves in a pretty pink with blackened edges. Managine Pests in Gardens: BegoniaBegoniaspp. Can begonias overwinter indoors? - JacAnswers 50%. Water the begonia transplant and acclimate it in an area out of direct sun. These flowers have a slight resemblance to roses. Growth will slow in freezing temperatures and some types of begonias go into a dormant period during the winter due to lack of light. 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 an easy method, and it doesnt cost much. Begonias are easily propagated at home. How to Divide Bearded Irises. These elegant plants arent hard to propagate. We are compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to on this site. If you give your begonia too much space, it will seize the opportunity and spread as quickly as it can into the new space. 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. Place in a brightly lit, 60 to 70 degree F room and keep the soil moist but not soggy. It takes about 1,000,000 begonia seeds to make up 1 ounce, with each seed weighing about 28 micrograms. The soil for your Begonia should always be moist. Prefers partial shade and organically rich, moist but well-drained soils. Carefully cut away the rotted portion of the roots, and re-pot in better soil. 2. This article was last updated on 12/27/21 But be careful not to let the plastic touch the leaves or you could risk fungal problems. Active Interest Media Holdco, Inc. Copyright 2023. This article has been viewed 38,009 times. Consider using a grow light if you cant find a good bright spot. Rex Begonia can also reproduce by dividing tubers. Avoid putting a pin through a main leaf vein, or that vein may not root. But they will also let you know if they feel that their water, light, and soil conditions are a bit off for their liking. Rex Begonia Crispy Leaves Just as Begonia's do not do well if overwatered, it is also important to ensure that your plant does not dry out and die of thirst. Its important to pay careful attention to your plant so you can fix any problems as they arise. But theyre covered in a cotton-like substance that protects them from outside forces. Cut away any shrivelled or soft and rotten sections of the tuber and discard these. The petiole is the stalk that attaches the leaf blade to the plant stem. These leaves are arranged in an asymmetrical manner on the stems. Here are some supplies and tools we find essential in our everyday work in the garden. If you must use soils in your growing medium for any reason, make sure there is plenty of organic material scattered throughout to allow for proper drainage. Her published articles have appeared in various print and online publications. So what are you waiting for? Ive cut each vein about an inch from the central vein in the photo above. Examine your growing environment and choose a location for your newly trimmed begonia that receives more light than its previous location. Rex Begonia - Geoponics This means it wont absorb the fertilizer. 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. 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. Begonia rex plants can quickly get mildew or fungal diseases. We may receive a commission from sales referred by our links; however, we As with other begonias, the rex and other foliage begonias prefer the same humid, gentle environment in which understory ferns thrive. But you should always test a small area of your plant to be on the safe side. Begonia 'Tiger Paws' (Eyelash Begonia) - Gardenia.net The seeds . Rex begonias make excellent house plants, and are easy to divide so you can gift them to friends. Let the surface of the soil get dry to the touch before watering. Begonia Rex - How to Grow Care - Painted Leaf Begonia - Houseplant411 Another way to prevent pests is to remove dead or dying leaves right away permanently. They can also become sprawling because fast-growing stems frequently lack the strength to keep their heads up. Rex begonias can be bought at the following online retailers: Logees, Amazon and Etsy, and many other online and offline shops. Brush fungicide onto each cut surface of the roots to prevent disease. 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. NCBI BLAST name . Cissus discolor: How to Grow and Care for the Rex Begonia Vine Begonia. When you cut a leaf, make sure the leaf-cutting has three inches of the petiole attached. wikiHow is a wiki, similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. 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. Its usually an easy process if you know what steps to take. 1. Avoid putting a pin through a main leaf vein, or that vein may not root. Begonias grown indoors are especially susceptible to root rot and overwatering. There is nothing you can do for the old damaged leaves. 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. "I've been losing all my beautiful leaves off most of my favorite plants! All rights reserved. Taxon 67(2): 267-323. Do begonias winter inside? Cissus discolor Care and Propagation - Rex Begonia Vine The vast majority of begonias offered in the trade are hybrids so they cannot be accurately propagated from seed. Young leaves should be removed before they unfurl. Its beautiful leaves are sensitive to direct sunlight. You can use tape to keep the plastic wrap to the cutting. They should always be your last resort because they contain chemicals that can harm the environment. Fertilize your begonia no more than once a month during the growing season for best results. You can purchase this Rooting Powder in our retail store, The Plant Farm located in Spokane Valley, WA. 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. Begonias are prone to fungal infections, and bleach kills any lurkers. Moisten the sphagnum with a sprayer, then cover with glass or plastic wrap to keep moisture in. Grow them there until theyre big enough to put in the garden or transplant into more permanent pots. These resemble pink or red bumps, similar to the growing eyes on potatoes. Look for a healthy, full-grown leaf on the parent rex begonia plant. Grown for their foliage, the leaves come in shades of green, red, pink and silver. The leaves on this plant can grow to about 6 inches in width. 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. Appearance. Garden Guides | Care of Rex Begonias If youre afraid to damage the roots, use pruning shears for this step. The Begonia tuberous plant creates beautiful pink flowers. How to Root Succulents with Leaf Cuttings Thank you! Stick the leaf petioles or wedges into the soil, and slip the tray into a plastic bag. Most of the time, the roots should be easy to divide by hand. Keep the temperature setting at about 70 degrees. Plus, you want to trap in moisture so itll grow quicker. When it comes to repotting, your choice of potting medium is critical. How to Divide 45 Favorite Perennials Creach Greenhouse and The Plant Farm are family owned and operated. Insert the garden fork about 6 inches from the plant so the roots won't be damaged by the fork. Rex begonias need thorough watering but should not be overwatered. . How to Propagate Begonia Rex in Water by using a single leaf | plant Propagating Experiments. 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. If planting outdoors, do so in May after frosts, but plant anytime indoors. Plus, there will be minimal damage to your plant. Turn the begonia leaf back over and press it into the seed-starting mix. How to Divide 45 Favorite Perennials Begonia rex is toxic to pets such as cats, dogs, and horses, according to ASCPA. Expect one or two plants per cut. Gently tease away some of the soil, and split the horizontal rhizome along with its healthy root systems. The plant needs more light, but not intense light. Consider using a systemic fungicide. Begonia Plant Pruning: How And When To Prune A Begonia Plant Rex begonias make excellent presents and are easy to divide. Po each piece into individual pots of new compost, making sure each portion of rootball is planted at the same depth it was originally. (6 Useful Methods of Use). Place the cutting at a 45-degree angle in a fresh pot of peat moss and perlite. The best light for rex begonia vine when growing indoors. Begonia Rex has tiny seeds that need warmth to germinate. Overgrowth occurs in all begonias, but it is most noticeable in cane begonias. Begonia Transplant Guide - How And When To Repot Begonias Check weekly. If you give them more than an inch, theyll take a mile, and in this case, the mile in question is straight up. Begonias require less light than most house plants. Most potted plants have limited resources, and as a result, growth is restricted. Your begonia has indicated this need by stretching its leaves in the direction of a brighter light source. Rex Begonia Seeds | Home Guides | SF Gate The Begonia rex is toxic to cats, dogs, and horses. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. If your plant is turning brown, with brittle leaves/dead leaves, it is likely to be one of three causes. A Begonia rex needs porous fast-draining soil using peat moss, perlite, and vermiculite. If you grow cane or wing begonias, give this technique a try with them, as well! You Might Also Like: If it has, remove the rotten roots. It needs bright, but indirect sunlight and the soil should always be slightly moist. Begonia propagation is just as easy without it. The begonia foliage should be trimmed back, and the tubers can be dried and stored in a cool, dry location through winter, just as canna or dahlia bulbs are stored. It can harm or even kill your plant. Dip each piece into hormone rooting powder and shake off the excess. Then, place the vase or glass containing the plant in a light and warm spot to provide the perfect growing conditions. Keep your leaf cutting near 70 degrees and give it plenty of humidity. After you've resolved the initial problem, prune your plant from the top-down, removing the leggy parts. Some Begonias go dormant for the winter and others have no dormant period and continue to grow and flower for the entire winter. How to split begonias? - JacAnswers Begin by removing the tallest, thinnest stalks. But doing this can mean accidentally over-watering your plant, which makes using fast-draining soil super important. Water when the top 1" of soil becomes almost dry about once a week. If you have a heat mat for seedlings, that will help the begonia leaf cuttings get off to a faster start. Get rid of these infected leaves right away. One of our favorite methods for creating high humidity is the pebble tray method. The roots should be completely covered in soil. Begonias are some of my favorite indoor plants. Trimming a cane begonia allows you to remove up to two-thirds of any stem without fear of killing the plant. Keep the temperature setting at about 70 degrees. Check for rot in your cuttings once a week. 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 . Lush Garden 5.95K subscribers 108K views 2 years ago #begoniarex #waterpropagation #begoniarex. 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, . Remove the lower leaves on each cutting, leaving the upper one or two leaves. Then you can use the mix to spray down your plant. Insert the cuttings in moist, free-draining potting mix and place the set up in a warm, shaded place. Rex begonias are semi-tropical perennial plants native to Asia, usually grown as house plants. Well walk you through both methods step-by-step down below. 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. Cut the leaf into wedges to do so lay the leaf flat on your work space. Begonia fungicide is available at garden centres. How to propagate Rex Begonia in water? Divide rhizomatous begonias in spring, ensuring that each portion of the rhizome bears one or more growing points. Here are some other cool Begonia species to check out. Make sure you sit your plant a few inches away instead of sitting it right under the light. Let the soil surface become dry to the touch before watering. Propagating a Begonia rex doesnt have to be complicated. It can be a tattered, older leaf, but on the underside, the main veins should be plump and undamaged. You can test the moisture with your finger. High humidity isnt necessary for a Rex begonia. Do not mist, increase humidity with humidifier or pebble tray. 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. And some are smooth, some fuzzy. Dividing and conquering the fastest-growing genus: Towards a natural sectional classification of the mega-diverse genus Begonia (Begoniaceae). The flowers can turn orange, pink, and white. Rex Begonia plants are rhizomatous plants. You have to remove all the infected leaves, so it doesnt spread. Begonias originated in the tropics and thrive in warm, humid climates. How to Propagate Rex Begonias from Leaf Cuttings | Garden Gate Provide 50% humidity. This begonia is rhizomatous, growing from a thick, fleshy rhizome that grows just below the surface of the soil. Plant a tuber section per pot. . The bright side is if you find an infestation early, its easy to get rid of. Protecting your leaf cutting from harm while it starts to root is important. You can use a mixture of perlite, vermiculite and peat moss, if you prefer. Use liquid fertilizer weekly at quarter strength or at half strength every two weeks. Begonia rex 'Putzeys' | The American Begonia Society When it comes to fast-draining soil, porous soil works the best. They are resilient and thrive under that level of pruning. How to Grow Rex Begonia Rex begonias are grown from seed and require about four months to reach maturity before being ready for flowering. Replant the original piece and pot or plant the remaining piece. Its both economical and satisfying to watch your sad, leggy begonia transform into a thriving swarm of new plants. The stem stretches, causing the normal spacing between leaves to become excessively wide and gaping. Rex Begonia Care - Painted Leaf Begonia Houseplant Care I mist mine daily and water the soil once a week. Mist the soil as needed, so the cuttings stay moist, but don't keep them so wet that water stands on them. A Begonia rex needs porous fast-draining soil using peat moss, perlite, and vermiculite. Place each leaf cutting on the surface of a tray of moist seed raising mix. Replace any fluids lost during pruning by giving your plant a good drink and returning it to its original location to recover. Begonia rex plants are prone to mildew and fungi. Dont remove the plastic wrap until a few new leaves have grown. How to Divide Rex Begonias - BBC Gardeners World Magazine Water when the top 1 of soil becomes almost dry about once a week. Brush off the excess soil and inspect the rhizome to find the buds. On transplant day, dig a hole sufficient to accommodate the begonia's root ball or tubers (in the case of tuberous begonia). Ive found an equal mix of perlite, vermiculite, and peat moss to be an ideal growing medium for my indoor begonias. Rex Begonia | Costa Farms I knew I could propagate the leaves, I. Always be careful during this process, you dont want to damage the Rex Begonia plants roots. Among the various types of begonias, Begonia rex is one of the most beautiful and dramatic plants. The easiest way is to run a faucet or hose over the roots. Its a great way to get your begonia bushing out instead of legging it upwards. Let me show you how to get more of these great plants practically free! Allow fleshy cuts to dry for an hour before potting. You will want to be looking at the underneath side of the leaf. You dont want it to take off again, so keep an eye on it. Cut the tuber with a sharp knife directly between the two stems. The first thing you do is to dig up your Rex Begonia plant. The water shouldnt flow over the pebbles. The plant requires less water during winter, when it often enters a dormant . The rex begonia requires at least 50 perecnet humidity and careful watering that keeps the soil moist but not too wet. Trim the cutting to just below the next node along for cane or tuberous begonias. Grow them there until theyre big enough to put in the garden or transplant into more permanent pots. Plant with the flat or concave section of the root facing up. They bloom in several colors, including pink, orange, and red. Other common problems caused by over-watering include yellowing leaves, fungi, and stunted growth. Finally, pinch back stray leaves on a regular basis to keep your begonia lush. 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. Rex begonias are a colourful addition to your indoor or patio potted plants. Rex begonias do best in moderate temperatures (60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit) and moderately high humidity (around 50 percent). 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. 4. Male and female flowers are borne separately on the same plant, the male . Unlike other types of legginess, this is not caused by excessive growth. Begonia rex care & info | Painted leaf Begonia - Houseplant Central It isnt too good to be true! Fill a 4-inch container with commercial potting mixture. Begonia rex Putz. Begonia tubers increase in size each year and after three years or so, the flower display will begin to deteriorate. But if all the roots are rotten, there isnt anything you can do for the plant. They need room to spread. 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. If you see silver or grey spores on your plant, it has Botrytis Blight disease. There are a few plant pests that love the Begonia rex. On the other hand separating the rhizome takes the most work since you need to get the plant out of its container. Water Rex begonias require regular water, but be careful not to overwater them. Cuttings taken from leggy specimens are a great way to start new plants. A small infestation isnt a big deal; once it grows, your plant can be in big trouble. Strip off the lower leaves. There are several ways to create humidity for any indoor plant. You could also put your leaf cuttings in an east window as long as the temperature stays consistently warm. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. Divide the plant by prising the root ball apart from the top, being careful to keep buds on each section. Place your Rex begonia in either a north or east-facing window to get bright indirect light indoors. How to split begonias? Let the soil dry between waterings and avoid overwatering as it may cause fungal diseases or rot. Do not put a Begonia where it gets a southern or even a western exposure. Using a shovel or flat-edged spade, slice completely around the outer perimeter of the plant, a few inches away from the foliage.