how to divide a rex begonia

There is an entire group of hybrid begonias that the world knows as Rex Cultorum meaning that they can all trace their . Rex begonias are herbaceous perennials in zones 10-12 so they are treated as annuals or houseplant specimens in Connecticut. Youll know you have a mealybug infestation if you see cotton fluff covering your plant. There are several ways to create humidity for any indoor plant. But you should always test a small area of your plant to be on the safe side. Alternatively, you can propagate using water as a medium for Begonias. Use a well diluted balanced plant feed monthly in the spring and summer. Houseplant Help: 5 Tips to Keep Finicky Begonia Rex Alive The original leaf probably will have torn apart and may have even disintegrated. Set Up Your Apiary With the Best Beekeeping Supplies, Create a Safe Deer Feeding Station With the Best Deer Feeder, Become More Efficient With the Best Rubber Buckets, Declutter Your Outdoor Space With the Best Deck Boxes, Liven up Your Lawn With the Best Grass Paints, Create a Relaxing Sitting Space With the Best Gazebos, Optimize Your Orchids Growth With the Best Orchid Fertilizers, Improve Your Gardens Soil Health With the Best Fish Fertilizers, Relax and Unwind With the Best Inflatable Hot Tubs, Best Patio Sets to Level up Your Outdoor Space, Seclude Your Garden with the Best Outdoor Privacy Screens, Unleash Your Flower Power With the Best Fresh Flowers, Safeguard Your Equipment With the Best Riding Lawn Mower Covers, Guarantee Extra Protection With the Best Lawn Mower Covers. How to Care for a Begonia: 14 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow How to Water Houseplants have carefully selected these products for their usefulness and quality. What if I told you that you could propagate a bunch of beautiful rex begonias for almost nothing? These cuts (and the stem cut) are where the new plantlets will form. Plant one Begonia rex per pot. Whats more, dividing rex begonias reinvigorates them and makes them grow better. Lift the Rex begonia tuber from the pot with a spade or your hands. ". We are compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to on this site. You can use a pair of sterilized pruning shears to do this. Rex begonias are a special group, because we grow them for their beautiful leaves. Turn the begonia leaf back over and press it into the seed-starting mix. A temperature between 65-75F (18-24C) is ideal. Straight perlite is very easy for starting new rhizomes. When shopping for a new pot, choose one that is only an inch (2.5cm) or so wider across the top. Her published articles have appeared in various print and online publications. The original Rex Begonia had dark leaves with wonderful silver designs. When it comes to repotting, your choice of potting medium is critical. Check for rot in your cuttings once a week. Water once it has almost dried out. Plant a tuber section per pot. Your begonia has indicated this need by stretching its leaves in the direction of a brighter light source. Debra LaGattuta is a gardening expert with three decades of experience in perennial and flowering plants, container gardening, and raised bed vegetable gardening. Over-watering can make your plant sick and fast. The humidity levels are too low (but don't mist the plant because rex begonias do not like wet foliage). Because your begonia cannot afford to produce both stems and leaves, it focuses on stems in the hope of achieving better illumination. Etiolation is the rapid growth of the portion of the stem between the leaves. In most cases, it is easiest to divide a perennial plant by first digging and lifting the entire plant. Rex begonias are beautiful and easy to propagate from leaf cuttings. Maintain the soil moist until new growth emerges. There are three types of begonia propagation: stem cuttings, leaf cuttings, and division. The vast majority of begonias offered in the trade are hybrids so they cannot be accurately propagated from seed. Active Interest Media Holdco, Inc. Copyright 2023. Water once the to 1-inch of soil is dry once a week. These plants can grow wide. How to Divide Perennial Plants - The Spruce Pot in well-draining soil and feed with a balanced fertilizer in the spring and early summer months. There is a major downside to spritzing the Rex Begonia. Now you care for the new plant like you do the mother, Rex. Stick the leaf petioles or wedges into the soil, and slip the tray into a plastic bag. Taxonomy browser (Begonia rex) - National Center for Biotechnology The best time to divide is during the repotting period in the spring or summer. I am going to walk you through how to propagate Begonia using root division and through leaf cuttings. There are a few plant pests that love the Begonia rex. Allow the soil to dry out a little between waterings. How to Make a Kokedama. 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. Gently tease away some of the soil, and split the horizontal rhizome along with its healthy root systems. At night, the temperature should never drop below 60F (16C). This moisture goes straight to your plant since it sits atop the water source. These resemble pink or red bumps, similar to the growing eyes on potatoes. They frequently have large leaves (up to 6 inches long) that are brightly colored in various shades of green, red, silver, and even purple. It can be a tattered, older leaf, but on the underside, the main veins should be plump and undamaged. Begonia. A leggy begonia, like an adolescent, is one that is rapidly growing. Rex Begonia can also reproduce by dividing tubers. 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. A stem cutting should be two to four inches in length and come from a healthy plant. Unlike other houseplants, bigger plant pots are better. Provide 50% humidity. A dimly lit environment will encourage your begonia to send out long stalks in search of light. Ive cut each vein about an inch from the central vein in the photo above. How to Propagate Begonia Rex in Water by using a single leaf | plant Propagating Experiments. Whether you need to fix, build, create or learn, eHow gives you practical solutions to the problems life throws at you. Keep in mind youll want to use distilled water for this plant. It should sit right under the top layer. The easiest method to turn one Rex Begonia into two (or more) Rex Begonias is by dividing the . You want to be careful during this process to avoid injuring the plants roots. Rex begonias are often troubled by powdery mildew and botrytis fungal disease. Rex Begonia House Plants - Begonia rex Picture, Care Tips This is it! When to Start Seeds Indoors This means they steal the hydration and nutrition from the plant. This beautiful plant was introduced to cultivation in 1952 and has puckered leaves with a dark cross in the middle. Please note the tuber I split here in the images is nowhere large enough to need splitting but it is all I had on hand to demonstrate with! Start as many leaves as will fit in your tray or pot without the leaves touching. Remove the lower leaves on each cutting, leaving the upper one or two leaves. I mist mine daily and water the soil once a week. You may get several cuttings depending on the size of your leaf. You need to remove all dead or harmed roots right away. After youve pruned your begonia, it will begin to sprout new leaves. Cut a healthy leaf. These cuts (and the stem cut) are where the new plantlets will form. 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. Pests love hopping from one plant to another. Rex begonias do produce delicate flowers but are usually grown for their spectacularly colored and intriguingly textured leaves. Po each piece into individual pots of new compost, making sure each portion of rootball is planted at the same depth it was originally. Very good article. Dont remove the plastic wrap until a few new leaves have grown. Take a transparent bottle half filled with water. Grown for their foliage, the leaves come in shades of green, red, pink and silver. Begonia propagation is just as easy without it. This plant dislikes cold temperatures. Then spray your Begonia down with the oil. How to Divide 45 Favorite Perennials Fill the plant pot with porous and fast-draining soil. You will want to be looking at the underneath side of the leaf. This will double the chance of being successful with propagation. 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. There are a few different methods that can be used to propagate rex begonias, but the most common is stem propagation. They should always be your last resort because they contain chemicals that can harm the environment. - . One of our favorite methods for creating high humidity is the pebble tray method. Use liquid fertilizer weekly at quarter strength or at half strength every two weeks. Begonia rex Taxonomy ID: 200043 (for references in articles please use NCBI:txid200043) current name. Water Rex begonias like regular water but hate being overwatered. Mealybugs like to feed on the sap from the inside of a plant. It needs bright but indirect sunlight and the soil should always be slightly moist. University of Connecticut Home and Garden Information Center. You Might Also Like: Fill the tray with damp potting mix and youre ready for the fun part taking the cuttings! Cut the tuber with a sharp knife directly between the two stems. They are resilient and thrive under that level of pruning. Are Begonia Rex Plants Poisonous? - Study Nature These mites arent actual insects but arachnids instead. NCBI BLAST name . Beefsteak geranium,King begonia,painted-leaf begonia,Rex begonia. Garden Guides | How to Divide Wax Begonias Make sure the medium is evenly moist but not wet or soggy. Jenny Harrington has been a freelance writer since 2006. Even though high humidity isnt required, it keeps the plant full, lush, and healthy. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features NFL Sunday Ticket Press Copyright . It contains soluble calcium oxalates. Consider using a systemic fungicide. Care For Begonia Rex - Teak And Terracotta This plant can come in various colors depending on how its bred. This plant disease can destroy a plant. They can take up to 6 weeks to emerge, so be patient. Begonias, according to conventional wisdom, benefit from smaller-than-average pots. How to Propagate Rex Begonias | Home Guides | SF Gate . Provide 50% humidity. The bright side is if you find an infestation early, its easy to get rid of. The weaker stems lean and nod, and your plant takes up more room in your arrangement. To water propagate your Begonia, all you have to do is partially submerge the stem in water, leaving the leaves sticking out. Rex Begonia Propagation| How to Propagate Rex Begonia from Stem Cuttings Using a little bit of root tone and a small amount of fungicide to keep. And the soil should be porous and fast-draining soil. These elegant plants arent hard to propagate. 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. Active Interest Media Holdco, Inc. Copyright 2023. Your begonia, regardless of variety, requires partial shade to bright, indirect light to thrive. But doing this can mean accidentally over-watering your plant, which makes using fast-draining soil super important. 50%. Most indoor plants, on the other hand, live in a kind of perpetual spring, where it is warm but not hot and there is little moisture in the air. Begonia rex plants can quickly get mildew or fungal diseases. But be careful not to let the plastic touch the leaves or you could risk fungal problems. Rex begonias are a colourful addition to your indoor or patio potted plants. You could also put your leaf cuttings in an east window as long as the temperature stays consistently warm. Pin into place with wire. Look for a healthy, full-grown leaf on the parent rex begonia plant. You can also use artificial lights for this Begonia. Remove the diseased leaves. This begonia requires high humidity during the growing period. Find out how, in our step-by-step guide. The cutting should then be placed in a clean pot filled with moistened potting mix. 8 Causes of Polka Dot Plant Dying (And Solutions), Are Pebbles Good for Soil? It needs bright, but indirect sunlight and the soil should always be slightly moist. Propagate leaf cuttings or sections of rhizome. University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources. Easy Houseplants - Begonias. Consider using a grow light if you cant find a good bright spot. The Rex Begonia requires bright but indirect sunlight. Join our Facebook Group About Houseplants and Gardening, propagate using water as a medium for Begonias, Mars Hydro VG80 Seedling LED Grow Light Review, 11 Worst Signs of Anthurium Root Rot Fix Anthurium Root Rot. 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. On the other hand separating the rhizome takes the most work since you need to get the plant out of its container. Press seeds onto the surface of the medium and cover them lightly with milled sphagnum. 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. 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. This article was last updated on 12/27/21 The easiest method is to buy a humidifier. Start as many leaves as will fit in your tray or pot without the leaves touching. Your plant cannot photosynthesize and produce food if it is not exposed to light. 1. This is especially true of cane begonias, which can grow to look almost like bamboo with careful, consistent care. To get rid of an infestation naturally, you should try neem oil. Look for a healthy, full-grown leaf on the parent rex begonia plant. 6. Set Up Your Apiary With the Best Beekeeping Supplies, Create a Safe Deer Feeding Station With the Best Deer Feeder, Become More Efficient With the Best Rubber Buckets, Declutter Your Outdoor Space With the Best Deck Boxes, Liven up Your Lawn With the Best Grass Paints, Create a Relaxing Sitting Space With the Best Gazebos, Optimize Your Orchids Growth With the Best Orchid Fertilizers, Improve Your Gardens Soil Health With the Best Fish Fertilizers, Relax and Unwind With the Best Inflatable Hot Tubs, Best Patio Sets to Level up Your Outdoor Space, Seclude Your Garden with the Best Outdoor Privacy Screens, Unleash Your Flower Power With the Best Fresh Flowers, Safeguard Your Equipment With the Best Riding Lawn Mower Covers, Guarantee Extra Protection With the Best Lawn Mower Covers. Begonia rexis the basis for many hundreds of hybrids, and its forms are too numerous to count. Its both economical and satisfying to watch your sad, leggy begonia transform into a thriving swarm of new plants. How to divide begonia tubers - Patient Gardener The part that's green is all the way at the top and would defeat the purpose. Underwatering is one of the most likely reasons your . How to Grow Rex Begonia Rex begonias are grown from seed and require about four months to reach maturity before being ready for flowering. Begonia 'Tiger Paws' (Eyelash Begonia) - Gardenia.net How to Water Houseplants You Might Also Like: Avoid putting a pin through a main leaf vein, or that vein may not root. Rex begonias grow from a rhizome, which is a root system that sprouts buds and roots to grow into the plant. Lay the plants roots on a paper towel. Move your plant to a shadier area. Brush fungicide onto each cut surface of the roots to prevent disease. 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. Then simply immerse the entire stalk in water. How to divide rex begonias - removing old leaves Step 2 Divide the plant by prising the root ball apart from the top, being careful to keep buds on each section. Rex begonias grow at a medium speed, but they like a pot with room to grow, so you won't need to worry about repotting too often. Direct sunlight can cause damage to this plant. On transplant day, dig a hole sufficient to accommodate the begonia's root ball or tubers (in the case of tuberous begonia). 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. 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. Its leaves can be almost round, angel-wing shaped, or any other form. But if all the roots are rotten, there isnt anything you can do for the plant. Fill the tray with damp potting mix and youre ready for the fun part taking the cuttings! Let me show you how to get more of these great plants practically free! The plant requires less water during winter, when it often enters a dormant . 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. A small amount of root-binding is ideal for keeping your plant compact and lush. Expect one or two plants per cut. How to Care for Rex Begonias - The Spruce Rex begonias do best in moderate temperatures (60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit) and moderately high humidity (around 50 percent). Bright indirect sunlight, and can tolerate direct sunlight too. 10 Best Begonia Rex Care Tips - Growing Guide - Plantophiles Tiny White Bugs In Soil The Truth Revealed! Then go ahead and fill the tray with water. A temperature between 65-75F (18-24C) is ideal. How to Fix A Leggy Begonia - Garden For Indoor Theyre perfect for the pastel plant lover. Avoid putting a pin through a main leaf vein, or that vein may not root. It should be getting bright indirect light. The salt from the fertilizer can build up in the soil, causing serious fertilizer burn. Get daily tips & tricks to help make your best home, The 5 'It' Plants of 2021, According to the Pros, 10 Varieties of Begonias for Gardens and Containers, 9 Great Foliage Plants for Container Gardens, How to Grow and Care for Begonia Maculata, 34 Best Plants That Grow in Water Indoors, How to Grow and Care for Black Bat Flower, How to Grow and Care for Persian Silk Trees, Northeastern India, southern China, and Vietnam. Simply break off rhizomes that have grown outside the pot and start them in a small pot. The begonias eye-catching, asymmetrical leaves make it the star of any collection, but what if your begonia is more stem than a leaf? You'll notice if the leaves of your lovely rex begonia begin to wilt, which is one of its most common problems. Its a very satisfying way to keep your begonias dramatic foliage. Begonia seeds are tiny and you might mistake them for dust or pollen. Like most Begonia species, such as Begonia maculata, the Begonia rex is easy to care for. Previously, she owned her own business, selling handmade items online, wholesale and at crafts fairs. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. This article is about how to care for Begonia rex. The original leaf probably will have torn apart and may have even disintegrated. Grow them there until theyre big enough to put in the garden or transplant into more permanent pots. A systemic fungicide can help. On occasion, Ive pruned the top of a begonia, removed the leggy portion of the stem, and then immersed the remaining top in water to establish root. Creach Greenhouse and The Plant Farm are family owned and operated. But be careful not to let the plastic touch the leaves or you could risk fungal problems. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Rex begonias are semi-tropical perennial plants native to Asia, usually grown as house plants. Begonias for the garden have different cultivation needs so the notes below will help guide you to success. I changed the water ones a week.Rubber plant propagation PART Ihttps://youtu.be/yXjvCQt5K0sRubber plant propagation PART IIhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBx3UjgMHPQ\u0026t=3sMonstera propagation https://youtu.be/Oa2Bdz14vJMInstagram https://instagram.com/lushgarden.lak?igshid=1awg76y1j643hThanks for clicking and I hope you've enjoyed this video!Stay tune for further updates. Repot your begonias only when they are completely root-bound. Fill containers with fine-textured potting mix and moisten it. Cuttings taken from leggy specimens are a great way to start new plants. Dry, brittle leaves are a symptom of dry air. Cover your container with its dome or plastic wrap. Your plant will get plenty of sun but it wont receive direct sunlight. Young leaves should be removed before they unfurl. For a previously leggy plant, a good all-purpose balanced liquid fertilizer is ideal. Spray your plant down every three weeks or so. You can also propagate rex begonia from water. All rights reserved. The vibrant colored leaves of a Begonia Rex start to fade and look bleached when it is getting too much direct sun. Fill a 4-inch container with commercial potting mixture. Rex Begonias are not difficult to divide and propagate, which comes in handy as individual plants usually don't have a very long lifespan. Rex Begonia. The best way to thicken the stem of your begonia is to simply wait. . If you do this too often, it can create powdery mildew. Take a close look at the shape of your begonia first. 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 . Rex begonias make excellent presents and are easy to divide. Use a well-draining soil mix to care for Begonia rex and provide bright indirect light. Guide To Care For Begonia Rex | Harper's Nurseries 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. Step 2 - Cut with a sharp knife. This is usually in March. In worst-case scenarios, it can kill your pet. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. Above: Moist soil, happy begonia. Step 2 - Prepare the New Location. 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. It is also available online, visit our website at spokaneplantfarm.com.For over fifty years, our plants have been locally grown in Spokane Valley, WA. Step 2: Take a leaf cutting from your rex begonia. Get the plant pot ready. Male and female flowers are borne separately on the same plant, the male . How to Grow Begonia Rex - Healthbenefitstimes.com Clip just above growth nodes to give the plant something to work with as it grows new leaves. Tuberous, rhizomatous, and waxy begonias do not suffer as frequently as cane varieties, but long and malformed leaves can still be seen. You can test the moisture with your finger. And always make sure the first inch of soil is dry before you water your Begonia rex. Insert the garden fork about 6 inches from the plant so the roots won't be damaged by the fork. You dont want it to take off again, so keep an eye on it. Or pink with silver edges. Here are some other cool Begonia species to check out. Toxic to pets such as cats and dogs and horses. As with other begonias, the rex and other foliage begonias prefer the same humid, gentle environment in which understory ferns thrive. All of that summer zeal will end up in the leaves, giving you a display of growth to be proud of. Once your plant is soil-free, you must wash off the roots. For a Begonia, use regular houseplant fertilizer at half strength every two to three weeks in spring and summer. 100K views 9 years ago In the video, Alan of The Plant Farm talks about the unique Rex Begonia and how to propagate it. 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. All rights reserved. How to propagate Begonia Rex from stem cuttings Take 4-6 in. Step 2: Take a leaf cutting from your rex begonia. How to Divide Bearded Irises. Because they are not aggressive bloomers, they can tolerate less light than other begonias and will thrive under fluorescent lights. Read our. . During the warmer months, take the time to pinch off new growth at the plants crown. They also thrive on humidity but don't like direct misting, which encourages powdery mildew. Plus, there will be minimal damage to your plant. Cut the germinated tubers longitudinally, each with 1 to 2 buds, and plant in a pot after the incision is dried. But you can also propagate this plant through leaf cuttings. By using our site, you agree to our. This plant pot should have drainage holes on the bottom. Rex Begonia Guide: How to Grow & Care for "Begonia rex-cultorum" Blight plant disease is challenging to battle. A Begonia rex needs porous fast-draining soil using peat moss, perlite, and vermiculite. Then you can use the mix to spray down your plant. Its not uncommon for a clipped cane to produce two new shoots, resulting in an overall thicker and bushier plant. And make sure your plant is always getting bright but indirect sunlight. It can affect the animals breathing and cause excessive drooling. This is because the leaves are covered in calcium oxalate crystals. 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. Begonia tubers increase in size each year and after three years or so, the flower display will begin to deteriorate. Fibrous rooted and rhizomatous begonias do not die back once a year like tuberous begonias. These elegant plants arent hard to propagate. Move your Begonia Rex to an eastern exposure and the new leaves will be fine. It's best to divide the tubers in the early spring, after the buds have begun to swell. These flowers have a slight resemblance to roses. I mist mine daily and water the soil once a week. 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. Spider mites also feed on the sap from your plant. As a result, you might find that the same crosses have different names in different garden centers. Mix a tablespoon of baking soda, a tablespoon of canola oil, and a tablespoon of dish soap. Advice on chopping top half do you have to cut where - Reddit Step 1: Gather your materials for propagating rex begonias. Then, to keep the cuts in contact with the mix, start pushing T-pins through the leaf into the soil. This can harm Begonias roots as well as the leaves. The best temperature is 65-75F (18-24C). Within minutes youll see plant pests popping up deceased. You can cut off up to two-thirds of the top of any given cane begonia. If you have a heat mat for seedlings, that will help the begonia leaf cuttings get off to a faster start. Begonia Propagation: Rooting Begonias From Cuttings - Gardening Know How Why are the leaves on my Begonia rex fading? What are the Anthurium Roots Above the Soil? Water the begonia transplant and acclimate it in an area out of direct sun. 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. wikiHow is a wiki, similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. Regular LED Lights vs. Grow Lights, just didn't know how. After youve resolved the initial problem, prune your plant from the top-down, removing the leggy parts.