This article was last updated on 12/27/21 I mist mine daily and water the soil once a week. Rex begonias are rhizomatous plants that grow from a, When the rhizome begins to butt up against the sides of the pot, however, it's time to. Ive cut each vein about an inch from the central vein in the photo above. If it has, remove the rotten roots. Pests love hopping from one plant to another. 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. These elegant plants arent hard to propagate. You'll notice if the leaves of your lovely rex begonia begin to wilt, which is one of its most common problems. And always make sure the first inch of soil is dry before you water your Begonia rex. The weaker stems lean and nod, and your plant takes up more room in your arrangement. How to Divide Bearded Irises. Rex begonias can also be propagated by pinning a leaf to the bedding mix and making small incisions in the leaf veins or by inserting a leaf (with a petiole) directly into the soil. The flowers can turn orange, pink, and white. 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. Unlike other types of legginess, this is not caused by excessive growth. Indoor begonias thrive in soil-free mediums. 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. Let me show you the secret to propagating rex begonias from leaf cuttings. You could also put your leaf cuttings in an east window as long as the temperature stays consistently warm. Previously, she owned her own business, selling handmade items online, wholesale and at crafts fairs. To be cautious, I always rinse all my supplies (and my hands) in a solution of 1 teaspoon bleach to 1 quart of water. Provide 50% humidity. Brush fungicide onto each cut surface of the roots to prevent disease. When used sparingly, this will encourage the growth of those lovely leaves without inspiring them to reach for the stars. 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. Take a close look at the shape of your begonia first. Sometimes called painted-leaf begonias or fancy-leaf begonias, these plants are known for their variegated leaves. Tiny White Bugs In Soil The Truth Revealed! This stops any plant disease from spreading. A Begonia rex needs porous fast-draining soil using peat moss, perlite, and vermiculite. Learn more Rex begonias are striking known as painted-leaf begonias or fancy-leaf begonias because of their stunning leaf coloration. It needs bright, but indirect sunlight and the soil should always be slightly moist. Salsa Rex begonia is a silver-leaf type that's variegated with shades of green and burgundy-red. They thrive in full sun and well-drained soil that is kept moist during the growing season (spring through autumn). 1. This beautiful plant was introduced to cultivation in 1952 and has puckered leaves with a dark cross in the middle. Beefsteak geranium,King begonia,painted-leaf begonia,Rex begonia. Provide 50% humidity. The temperature should be between 65-75F (18-24C). These mites arent actual insects but arachnids instead. If your begonia is receiving adequate light but still reaching for the stars, the problem is one of temperature, and you must maintain your cool. Your begonia, regardless of variety, requires partial shade to bright, indirect light to thrive. There are a few plant pests that love the Begonia rex. How to Divide 45 Favorite Perennials Rex begonias are often troubled by powdery mildew and botrytis fungal disease. The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Propagate by leaf cuttings or sections of rhizome No pruning is required. Lift the Rex begonia tuber from the pot with a spade or your hands. Once a nice cluster of roots has formed, they can be potted as a separate plant in their own right. When you cut a leaf, make sure the leaf-cutting has three inches of the petiole attached. Step 3: Cut the rex begonia leaf. After youve resolved the initial problem, prune your plant from the top-down, removing the leggy parts. Deer will eat the former and turn up their noses with the latter. Potting soil, peat moss, perlite, vermiculite. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Regarding the Rex Begonia, you want to repot in a shallow pot. When peat moss is unavailable, Ive had success substituting coir or sphagnum moss for it in this blend. You will want to be looking at the underneath side of the leaf. To be cautious, I always rinse all my supplies (and my hands) in a solution of 1 teaspoon bleach to 1 quart of water. Examine your begonia growing environment. wikiHow is a wiki, similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. 2023 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. While this may appear barbaric, it will prompt your blushing beauty to produce not one, but two new sprouts from the trimmed tip. Its not uncommon for a clipped cane to produce two new shoots, resulting in an overall thicker and bushier plant. Like most Begonia species, such as Begonia maculata, the Begonia rex is easy to care for. To treat this disease, remove all infected leaves on the plant. Prefers partial shade and organically rich, moist but well-drained soils. To do this, you want to cover the leaf-cutting in plastic wrap. Insert the garden fork about 6 inches from the plant so the roots won't be damaged by the fork. Brush fungicide onto each cut surface of the roots to prevent disease. BBC Gardeners' World Magazine. Cover your container with its dome or plastic wrap. Rhizomatous varieties, such as the popular begonia rex, are even easier, requiring only a single leaf in water to produce a new addition to your collection. Can you divide Rex Begonias? How to propagate Begonia Rex from stem cuttings Take 4-6 in. Plus, you want to trap in moisture so itll grow quicker. Begonias are easily propagated at home. A Begonia rex fools many plant lovers with dry leaves. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. 100K views 9 years ago In the video, Alan of The Plant Farm talks about the unique Rex Begonia and how to propagate it. Always be careful during this process, you dont want to damage the Rex Begonia plants roots. Begonia Rex has tiny seeds that need warmth to germinate. They also thrive on humidity but don't like direct misting, which encourages powdery mildew. Moisten the sphagnum with a sprayer, then cover with glass or plastic wrap to keep moisture in. 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! How to Divide 45 Favorite Perennials Booman has another trick: Water thoroughly so that at least 20 percent of the water flows out of the pot, and don't let the plant sit in the water for a second, so that the salts cannot be taken up by the plant. Propagate leaf cuttings or sections of rhizome. It's available in various colors. A small infestation isnt a big deal; once it grows, your plant can be in big trouble. The original leaf probably will have torn apart and may have even disintegrated. Follow our step-by-step guide to dividing rex begonias and create the perfect gift for friends and family, while ensuring the continued health of your own plant. Soil Airy, light, fast-draining soil is best for rex begonias. Fill the tray with damp potting mix and youre ready for the fun part taking the cuttings! 50%. It's best to divide the tubers in the early spring, after the buds have begun to swell. This article is about how to care for Begonia rex. This is because the leaves are covered in calcium oxalate crystals. 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. Finally, pinch back stray leaves on a regular basis to keep your begonia lush. This will double the chance of being successful with propagation. Post #8301529 Quote CindyMzone5 Hobart, IN Jan 10, 2011 Should I try to evenly divide the roots so that all of the clumps have some roots? Like many other Begonias, the Begonia rex is susceptible to several plant issues. Dip each piece into hormone rooting powder and shake off the excess. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful home and garden ever. Allow fleshy cuts to dry for an hour before potting. They can also become sprawling because fast-growing stems frequently lack the strength to keep their heads up. Stick to the plan above, and your bundle of twigs will be restored to its verdant glory in no time. Propagating a Begonia rex doesnt have to be complicated. 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. Appearance. Youll want to repeat this process about three days later. Airy, light, fast-draining soil is best for rex begonias. Brush off the excess soil and inspect the rhizome to find the buds. Cultivars which are usually derived from Begonia tuberhybrida are a favourite of gardeners for their bright colours and long flowering season. Make sure the medium is evenly moist but not wet or soggy. How to Make a Kokedama. Its also the most common issue youll come across. This can take about two or three weeks. Leave them in place until they start to get in the way. Snip off flowers and older leaves first to give the division more energy for root growth. The vast majority of begonias offered in the trade are hybrids so they cannot be accurately propagated from seed. The original leaf probably will have torn apart and may have even disintegrated. A temperature between 65-75F (18-24C) is ideal. Anthurium Light Tips, How Cold Can Anthurium Tolerate Temperature and Humidity. Advice on chopping top half do you have to cut where there's still green on the base or can you cut lower if there's pups growing? Make sure you sterilize the pruning shears with isopropyl alcohol. Plant growth is costly and necessitates the use of nutrients. Taxon 67(2): 267-323. Do you want to save any of the leaf patches? Remove the begonia from its container and gently tease the roots apart, position it in the pot and backfill around it. If you give your begonia too much space, it will seize the opportunity and spread as quickly as it can into the new space. The problem is that a rex begonia with some leaves bitten off is really a disaster on the gardening front. Protecting your leaf cutting from harm while it starts to root is important. Allow the top layer of soil to become completely dry in between waterings. Use as many as you need to hold the leaf flat. If you have a hanging basket or a table-top pot of . If you have a heat mat for seedlings, that will help the begonia leaf cuttings get off to a faster start. Overgrowth occurs in all begonias, but it is most noticeable in cane begonias. How to split begonias? Begonias for the garden have different cultivation needs so the notes below will help guide you to success. Is it skewed in one direction? 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. A Rex Begonia can grow to be 12 to 18 inches in height. For a Begonia, use regular houseplant fertilizer at half strength every two to three weeks in spring and summer. If youre afraid to damage the roots, use pruning shears for this step. Lay the plants roots on a paper towel. Tap water contains salt and other chemicals that can harm your plant. You can use tape to keep the plastic wrap to the cutting. Rex begonias make excellent house plants, and are easy to divide so you can gift them to friends.