how to divide a rex begonia

Keep it out of direct sunlight, but in a warm, well-lit spot. Youll also need to make sure theres plenty of air circulation. Easy Houseplants - Begonias. 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. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Its a very satisfying way to keep your begonias dramatic foliage. 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 grow cane or wing begonias, give this technique a try with them, as well! The Rex Begonia originates in areas without salt in the water. This can take about two or three weeks. Rex begonias need thorough watering but should not be overwatered. Divide the vine into smaller pieces, ensuring each has at least two or three leaves. You can purchase this Rooting Powder in our retail store, The Plant Farm located in Spokane Valley, WA. Within minutes youll see plant pests popping up deceased. These cuts (and the stem cut) are where the new plantlets will form. Potting soil, peat moss, perlite, vermiculite. University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources. Begonia Listada Plant Care Best Practices, Scarlet Begonia (Begonia Coccinea) Best Care Tips | Plantophiles, [] The leaf surface has a mixture of colors ranging from green grass ting to red. You can care for the leaf-cutting as you do the original Begonia rex. . - . With a sharp spade, cut a piece off. Continue reading to learn how to turn this unfortunate circumstance into a win for your indoor garden. It should sit right under the top layer. How to propagate Begonia Rex from stem cuttings Take 4-6 in. To be cautious, I always rinse all my supplies (and my hands) in a solution of 1 teaspoon bleach to 1 quart of water. Divide the plant by prising the root ball apart from the top, being careful to keep buds on each section. After youve trimmed your plant to the desired height, pinch off new growth sprouting at the top on a regular basis. Regarding the Rex Begonia, you want to repot in a shallow pot. 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. Your begonia has indicated this need by stretching its leaves in the direction of a brighter light source. Consider using a systemic fungicide. wikiHow is a wiki, similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. Step 1 Snip off flowers and older leaves first to give the division more energy for root growth. Most potted plants have limited resources, and as a result, growth is restricted. Creach Greenhouse and The Plant Farm are family owned and operated. We earn from qualifying purchases. And some are smooth, some fuzzy. Here are some tips for the most common plant problems youll encounter. Maintain the soil moist until new growth emerges. Water Rex begonias require regular water, but be careful not to overwater them. Water once it has almost dried out. This begonia requires high humidity during the growing period. A small amount of root-binding is ideal for keeping your plant compact and lush. Simply break off rhizomes that have grown outside the pot and start them in a small pot. Active Interest Media Holdco, Inc. Copyright 2023. Spider mites love Begonias as well. When it comes to fast-draining soil, porous soil works the best. 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. Insert the cuttings in moist, free-draining potting mix and place the set up in a warm, shaded place. Find a rex begonia leaf you want to propagate and cut it off the plant. The rex begonia requires at least 50 perecnet humidity and careful watering that keeps the soil moist but not too wet. Trimming a cane begonia allows you to remove up to two-thirds of any stem without fear of killing the plant. Growth will slow in freezing temperatures and some types of begonias go into a dormant period during the winter due to lack of light. 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. Youll want to repeat this process about three days later. Place this in a warm area of your home, but out of the path of direct sunlight. 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. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. A Begonia rex fools many plant lovers with dry leaves. Its also the most common issue youll come across. And the soil should be porous and fast-draining soil. Then, to keep the cuts in contact with the mix, start pushing T-pins through the leaf into the soil. Dont remove the plastic wrap until a few new leaves have grown. Read our. Cuttings taken from leggy specimens are a great way to start new plants. Step 3: Cut the rex begonia leaf. 6. 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. Water once the to 1-inch of soil is dry once a week. A Rex Begonia can grow to be 12 to 18 inches in height. Step 1: Gather your materials for propagating rex begonias. Water the begonia transplant and acclimate it in an area out of direct sun. Do not mist, increase humidity with humidifier or pebble tray. This is how you may get more of these wonderful plants for free. This means they steal the hydration and nutrition from the plant. Ensure it bears at least one leaf node. It isnt too good to be true! Why are the leaves on my Begonia rex fading? . It needs bright but indirect sunlight and the soil should always be slightly moist. Stick to the plan above, and your bundle of twigs will be restored to its verdant glory in no time. Gather the items on the "Materials & Tools" list above. They assume that the plant needs more water. Humidifiers allow you to adjust the humidity as needed. 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. 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. Plus, you want to trap in moisture so itll grow quicker. These strange plant pests are soft-bodied. Young leaves should be removed before they unfurl. Its usually an easy process if you know what steps to take. Expect one or two plants per cut. Its a great way to get your begonia bushing out instead of legging it upwards. This article has been viewed 38,009 times. You should fertilize your winter-blooming plants with a high-phosphorus, water-soluble fertilizer that contains little or no nitrogen. Lush Garden 5.95K subscribers 108K views 2 years ago #begoniarex #waterpropagation #begoniarex. You can also propagate rex begonia from water. Mermaid Tail Succulent Care #1 Best Tips. Mealybugs like to feed on the sap from the inside of a plant. How to Make a Kokedama. This means it wont absorb the fertilizer. All rights reserved. When a previously lush and leafy specimen produces an excess of stems and stalks, it shoots up until its nothing more than a tuft of greenery on a long bundle of sticks. Turn the begonia leaf back over and press it into the seed-starting mix. How to Water Houseplants Don't water the leaves, only the soil to avoid fungal disease issues. The biggest plant disease you want to avoid from over-watering is root rot. It can harm or even kill your plant. Mealybugs are the biggest plant pest problem with this Begonia. So what are you waiting for? But most come with leaves in a pretty pink with blackened edges. These flowers have a slight resemblance to roses. It came from Assam, India which is in the Himalayan foothills. All rights reserved. Po each piece into individual pots of new compost, making sure each portion of rootball is planted at the same depth it was originally. Rex begonias grow from a rhizome, which is a root system that sprouts buds and roots to grow into the plant. Plant a tuber section per pot. I mist mine daily and water the soil once a week. Rex Begonias are not difficult to divide and propagate, which comes in handy as individual plants usually don't have a very long lifespan. There are a few plant pests that love the Begonia rex. Now you care for the new plant like you do the mother, Rex. If you give your begonia too much space, it will seize the opportunity and spread as quickly as it can into the new space. If planting outdoors, do so in May after frosts, but plant anytime indoors. A temperature between 65-75F (18-24C) is ideal. 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. [], [] want to dilute the neem oil with water in a spray bottle. 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. 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. The weaker stems lean and nod, and your plant takes up more room in your arrangement. One of our favorite methods for creating high humidity is the pebble tray method. The water shouldnt flow over the pebbles. Above: Moist soil, happy begonia. Consider using a grow light if you cant find a good bright spot. Propagate leaf cuttings or sections of rhizome. Needed good info to prune and appreciate this info as I am not as good a plant person as my sister who gave me this plant. Blight plant disease is challenging to battle. When to Start Seeds Indoors Its a natural oil and isnt known to harm many plants. Start as many leaves as will fit in your tray or pot without the leaves touching. This is especially true of cane begonias, which can grow to look almost like bamboo with careful, consistent care. Divide rhizomatous begonias in spring, ensuring that each portion of the rhizome bears one or more growing points. This plant dislikes cold temperatures. It takes about 1,000,000 begonia seeds to make up 1 ounce, with each seed weighing about 28 micrograms. We may receive a commission from sales referred by our links; however, we Get the plant pot ready. Rex begonias are a colourful addition to your indoor or patio potted plants. Tap water contains salt and other chemicals that can harm your plant. A dimly lit environment will encourage your begonia to send out long stalks in search of light. To treat this disease, remove all infected leaves on the plant. Theyre perfect for the pastel plant lover. Gently tease away some of the soil, and split the horizontal rhizome along with its healthy root systems. We may receive a commission from sales referred by our links; however, we Or pink with silver edges. Stick the leaf petioles or wedges into the soil, and slip the tray into a plastic bag. Silver Limbo is a compact, small-leafed variety that offers beautiful metallic-silver foliage that has purple-red backsides. Ive cut each vein about an inch from the central vein in the photo above. During the warmer months, take the time to pinch off new growth at the plants crown. Repot your begonias only when they are completely root-bound. Fill containers with fine-textured potting mix and moisten it. Open the containers lid once a week for 10 minutes to let the cuttings breath. The Begonia tuberous plant creates beautiful pink flowers. Do begonias winter inside? To fix a leggy begonia, first, determine what is causing the overgrowth and then correct it by increasing light, temperature, or changing the plant's pot. A leggy begonia appears bare, with an insufficient amount of foliage. But the air in the plants environment cant be dry. You will want to be looking at the underneath side of the leaf. If youre afraid to damage the roots, use pruning shears for this step. As a result, you might find that the same crosses have different names in different garden centers. 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. How to Divide 45 Favorite Perennials Beefsteak geranium,King begonia,painted-leaf begonia,Rex begonia. Plant growth is costly and necessitates the use of nutrients. It's available in various colors. 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. If you do this too often, it can create powdery mildew. How to Divide 45 Favorite Perennials The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. 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. Other common problems caused by over-watering include yellowing leaves, fungi, and stunted growth. The bright side is if you find an infestation early, its easy to get rid of. This makes them easier to work with because theyre easier to see. Be careful not to over-water your plant, though. Tiny White Bugs In Soil The Truth Revealed! I like to take leaf cuttings because its so fascinating to watch a single leaf sprout a whole bunch of babies. Begonia rexis the basis for many hundreds of hybrids, and its forms are too numerous to count. A Begonia rex needs porous fast-draining soil using peat moss, perlite, and vermiculite. Dig up the begonia and then look to see where it naturally sections. 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. Using a little bit of root tone and a small amount of fungicide to keep. Taxon 67(2): 267-323. Since you must wait for the roots to dry, prepare the plant pot. There are three types of begonia propagation: stem cuttings, leaf cuttings, and division. Because they are not aggressive bloomers, they can tolerate less light than other begonias and will thrive under fluorescent lights. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. 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. They bloom in several colors, including pink, orange, and red. The most toxic parts of this plant grow underground. Step 2: Take a leaf cutting from your rex begonia. But be careful not to let the plastic touch the leaves or you could risk fungal problems. You could also put your leaf cuttings in an east window as long as the temperature stays consistently warm. We empower you to efficiently solve each new challenge and make your life better and easier. A small infestation isnt a big deal; once it grows, your plant can be in big trouble. Using a shovel or flat-edged spade, slice completely around the outer perimeter of the plant, a few inches away from the foliage. Her published articles have appeared in various print and online publications. 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. After youve pruned your begonia, it will begin to sprout new leaves. Place your plant or bury the rhizome in a shallow container filled with rich, aerated plant mix. Direct sunlight can cause damage to this plant. Porous soil allows excess water to drain instead of holding onto all that unneeded water. Brush off the excess soil and inspect the rhizome to find the buds. The Rex begonia is a rhizomatous plant with stems creeping on the surface. How to Make a Kokedama. The resulting hybrids are often known in the trade only by fancy trade names used to market the plants. {"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":"