This plant pot should have drainage holes on the bottom. Water once it has almost dried out. Its important to pay careful attention to your plant so you can fix any problems as they arise. External Information Resources (NCBI . Begonia Rex - How to Grow Care - Painted Leaf Begonia - Houseplant411 This article has been viewed 38,009 times. And some are smooth, some fuzzy. Rex Begonia can also reproduce by dividing tubers. Because of its thick stems, this Begonia is known as a fibrous Begonia. 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. The plant needs more light, but not intense light. Youll also need to make sure theres plenty of air circulation. Silver Limbo is a compact, small-leafed variety that offers beautiful metallic-silver foliage that has purple-red backsides. If you have a heat mat for seedlings, that will help the begonia leaf cuttings get off to a faster start. If youre afraid to damage the roots, use pruning shears for this step. Keep your leaf cutting near 70 degrees and give it plenty of humidity. 6. Insert the cuttings in moist, free-draining potting mix and place the set up in a warm, shaded place. Trimming a cane begonia allows you to remove up to two-thirds of any stem without fear of killing the plant. After you've resolved the initial problem, prune your plant from the top-down, removing the leggy parts. Divide rhizomatous begonias in spring, ensuring that each portion of the rhizome bears one or more growing points. Begonia rex is toxic to pets such as cats, dogs, and horses, according to ASCPA. 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. A leggy begonia, like an adolescent, is one that is rapidly growing. Keep your leaf cutting near 70 degrees and give it plenty of humidity. This is how you may get more of these wonderful plants for free. Alternatively, you can propagate using water as a medium for Begonias. Once the roots have dried, its time to plant them. Begonias are just as at home in a pot as they are in the garden. Step 2: Take a leaf cutting from your rex begonia. Temperature and Humidity This can harm Begonias roots as well as the leaves. But be careful not to let the plastic touch the leaves or you could risk fungal problems. Provide 50% or more humidity and fertilize every three weeks using a liquid fertilizer diluted to 1/2 strength. Leave them in place until they start to get in the way. 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. Tuberous begonia. This Begonia creates both gorgeous leaves and flowers. 2 Let the soil surface become dry to the touch before watering. During the warmer months, take the time to pinch off new growth at the plants crown. Place each leaf cutting on the surface of a tray of moist seed raising mix. You may have everything you need at home already. How to Divide 45 Favorite Perennials This begonia requires high humidity during the growing period. Remove the lower leaves on each cutting, leaving the upper one or two leaves. Underwatering is one of the most likely reasons your . To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. . It can affect the animals breathing and cause excessive drooling. Divide rex begonia in early spring right before the plant begins growing again. Spray the mixture with water until it's damp clear through, but not dripping. Begonia roots are prone to rot immediately after dividing. BBC Gardeners' World Magazine. Make sure you pack the soil tightly around the cutting. Dont remove the plastic wrap until a few new leaves have grown. Dig up the begonia and then look to see where it naturally sections. How to Divide Rex Begonias - BBC Gardeners World Magazine How to divide begonia tubers - Patient Gardener Water when the top 1 of soil becomes almost dry about once a week. They thrive on humidity but be careful if misting leaves that they don't stay too wet and encourage powdery mildew. In the video, Alan of The Plant Farm talks about the unique Rex Begonia and how to propagate it. Her published articles have appeared in various print and online publications. Using a shovel or flat-edged spade, slice completely around the outer perimeter of the plant, a few inches away from the foliage. See those tiny plants unfurling? The Begonia rex is toxic to cats, dogs, and horses. Ensure it bears at least one leaf node. Take a close look at the shape of your begonia first. Male and female flowers are borne separately on the same plant, the male . Flip the begonia leaf over and make a -inch cut across five or six of the largest veins with your knife. You want to switch out the saturated soil for fresh, moist soil. I mist mine daily and water the soil once a week. Keep your begonias in a growing environment that is between 58 72F (14 22C) for the best results. Rhizomatous begonias such as the rex begonia can be easily propagated by. When we say a plant is leggy, we mean that its growth is concentrated in its stems. Simply keeping your new dense delight well-watered and well-lit will result in thicker, more luscious growth. Begonias grown indoors are especially susceptible to root rot and overwatering. 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. 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 should have drainage holes. How to Grow Begonia Rex - Healthbenefitstimes.com Overgrowth occurs in all begonias, but it is most noticeable in cane begonias. Pin into place with wire. Most of the time, the roots should be easy to divide by hand. Then you can use the mix to spray down your plant. Begonia rex plants are prone to mildew and fungi. Blight plant disease is challenging to battle. Dividing Tuberous Begonias - Knowledgebase Question - Garden.org Gather the items on the "Materials & Tools" list above. You Might Also Like: Step 2: Take a leaf cutting from your rex begonia. How to Plant, Grow, and Care For Begonias - All About Gardening This is usually in March. Turn the begonia leaf back over and press it into the seed-starting mix. Appearance. You have to remove all the infected leaves, so it doesnt spread. The rhizome is cut apart and divided in order to propagate new plants. wikiHow is a wiki, similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. Make sure the medium is evenly moist but not wet or soggy. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful home and garden ever. There are a few plant pests that love the Begonia rex. This means it wont absorb the fertilizer. Fill the tray with damp potting mix and youre ready for the fun part taking the cuttings! Turn the begonia leaf back over and press it into the seed-starting mix. If it has, remove the rotten roots. Leave them in place until they start to get in the way. This is it! Then, place the vase or glass containing the plant in a light and warm spot to provide the perfect growing conditions. The temperature should be between 65-75F (18-24C). Are Begonia Rex Plants Poisonous? - Study Nature Step 1: Gather your materials for propagating rex begonias. Fill the plant pot with porous and fast-draining soil. When the plants are 3 inches tall and have at least two leaves, theyre ready to lift. How to Fix A Leggy Begonia - Garden For Indoor The leaves are narrow and spotted white. When peat moss is unavailable, Ive had success substituting coir or sphagnum moss for it in this blend. Rex begonias are semi-tropical perennial plants native to Asia, usually grown as house plants. It is perfectly acceptable to lop off the entire top of your leggy begonia. Dry, brittle leaves are a symptom of dry air. Taxon 67(2): 267-323. Rex Begonia - Geoponics Begonias: outdoors / RHS Gardening - Royal Horticultural Society Step 1 Snip off flowers and older leaves first to give the division more energy for root growth. How to Divide Rex Begonias - BBC Gardeners World Magazine How to propagate Begonia | From leaves or cuttings 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! Creach Greenhouse and The Plant Farm are family owned and operated. Dont be afraid! Why are the leaves on my Begonia rex fading? Airy, light, fast-draining soil is best for rex begonias. In most cases, it is easiest to divide a perennial plant by first digging and lifting the entire plant. Tuberous begonias | UMN Extension If your plant is turning brown, with brittle leaves/dead leaves, it is likely to be one of three causes. Begonias are some of my favorite indoor plants. Its easy to do, especially when keeping the soil moist. You Might Also Like: You can use tape to keep the plastic wrap to the cutting. The Rex begonia is a rhizomatous plant with stems creeping on the surface. This is to prevent the spread of spores and fungi. All rights reserved. There is an entire group of hybrid begonias that the world knows as Rex Cultorum meaning that they can all trace their . To be cautious, I always rinse all my supplies (and my hands) in a solution of 1 teaspoon bleach to 1 quart of water. How to Divide Rex Begonias | eHow UK With a sharp spade, cut a piece off. The Garden Clinic To water propagate your Begonia, all you have to do is partially submerge the stem in water, leaving the leaves sticking out. This Begonia species have leaves with a fun fuzzy feel. For a Begonia, use regular houseplant fertilizer at half strength every two to three weeks in spring and summer. Ive found an equal mix of perlite, vermiculite, and peat moss to be an ideal growing medium for my indoor begonias. Begonias are prone to mildew and mold. And the soil should be porous and fast-draining soil. Rex begonias do produce delicate flowers but are usually grown for their spectacularly colored and intriguingly textured leaves. ". If you have a heat mat for seedlings, that will help the begonia leaf cuttings get off to a faster start. Cut apart the tuber with a sharp knife, leaving three growing eyes on each piece. They also thrive on humidity but don't like direct misting, which encourages powdery mildew. Rather, your plant is balding, which many older gardeners can certainly relate to! Pruning on a regular basis causes the plant to mature and develop a thicker set of stems. You'll notice if the leaves of your lovely rex begonia begin to wilt, which is one of its most common problems. Cover the whole cutting and pot with a plastic bag to help maintain the proper moisture levels needed for a begonia. Begonia rex 'Putzeys' | The American Begonia Society Begonias are prone to fungal infections, and bleach kills any lurkers. And make sure your plant is always getting bright but indirect sunlight. Gently transplant the babies into 3-inch pots. The water shouldnt flow over the pebbles. After youve resolved the initial problem, prune your plant from the top-down, removing the leggy parts. Step 1: Gather your materials for propagating rex begonias. So what are you waiting for? We are compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to on this site. A tuber ready to divide should be large and also have at least two clear stems. Spray your plant down every three weeks or so. Since you must wait for the roots to dry, prepare the plant pot. Once the plant pot is ready to go, you can go ahead and plant the leaf-cutting. Cover your container with its dome or plastic wrap. 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. Fertilize your begonias. Ive cut each vein about an inch from the central vein in the photo above. Rex begonias require regular water, but be careful not to overwater them. Houseplant Help: 5 Tips to Keep Finicky Begonia Rex Alive Once fall hits, the plant goes dormant. Young leaves should be removed before they unfurl. The weaker stems lean and nod, and your plant takes up more room in your arrangement. [], [] want to dilute the neem oil with water in a spray bottle. The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. First, let's talk about the best light for Cissus discolor when it is grown as a houseplant year-round. tall and wide (25-30 cm). . Rex begonias are often troubled by powdery mildew and botrytis fungal 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. wikiHow is a wiki, similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. The Rex Begonia originates in areas without salt in the water. These elegant plants arent hard to propagate. But you can also propagate this plant through leaf cuttings. Continue reading to learn how to turn this unfortunate circumstance into a win for your indoor garden. They can take up to 6 weeks to emerge, so be patient. What if I told you that you could propagate a bunch of beautiful rex begonias for almost nothing? This is how you may get more of these wonderful plants for free. The plant requires less water during winter, when it often enters a dormant . Allow fleshy cuts to dry for an hour before potting. It was published in 1857. Plant with the flat or concave section of the root facing up. 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. The Begonia is a stunning houseplant with colored leaves that grows from a rhizome.