how to divide a rex begonia

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? Knowing which Begonia you have can help a lot in having success with bringing the plants indoors for the winter. Turn the begonia leaf back over and press it into the seed-starting mix. Avoid direct sunlight, but any location with good diffuse light will encourage your begonia to bloom with an abundance of alluring foliage. What if I told you that you could propagate a bunch of beautiful rex begonias for almost nothing? Place each leaf cutting on the surface of a tray of moist seed raising mix. You should only fertilize this plant during the growing season when new growth emerges. And the Begonia rex isnt the only wonder species out there. The plant requires less water during winter, when it often enters a dormant . Slice down several inches deepat least 6 inches for most plants and more for extremely large, well-rooted plants. In no time you should start to see new growth springing up from the site of the old, woody stems. Rex begonia can be difficult to grow because of its need for high humidity. Step 1 - Find a suitable tuber. It takes about 1,000,000 begonia seeds to make up 1 ounce, with each seed weighing about 28 micrograms. Flip the begonia leaf over and make a -inch cut across five or six of the largest veins with your knife. The truth is, dry leaves are a sign of over-watering. This article was last updated on 12/27/21 This is especially true of cane begonias, which can grow to look almost like bamboo with careful, consistent care. How to Divide 45 Favorite Perennials Salsa Rex begonia is a silver-leaf type that's variegated with shades of green and burgundy-red. Rex begonias grow from a rhizome, which is a root system that sprouts buds and roots to grow into the plant. I mist mine daily and water the soil once a week. Rex begonias are semi-tropical perennial plants native to Asia, usually grown as house plants. Keep the temperature setting at about 70 degrees. The water will evaporate over time, keeping humidity in the air at all times. By using our site, you agree to our. 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. The rex begonia vine can be grown as an indoor plant or as an outdoor plant, though it will not survive cold temperatures outdoors. A Rex Begonia can grow to be 12 to 18 inches in height. Taxon 67(2): 267-323. 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. Propagating Begonia rex. Rex begonias are beautiful and easy to propagate from leaf cuttings. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful home and garden ever. Examine your begonia growing environment. This article has been viewed 38,009 times. Theyre tiny and hard to detect. With a sharp spade, cut a piece off. All rights reserved. Allow the soil to dry out a little between waterings. How to Grow Rex Begonia Rex begonias are grown from seed and require about four months to reach maturity before being ready for flowering. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Stem cuttings are very simple. The rex begonia is toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. Rex begonias can be bought at the following online retailers: Logees, Amazon and Etsy, and many other online and offline shops. The resulting hybrids are often known in the trade only by fancy trade names used to market the plants. It isnt too good to be true! NCBI BLAST name . Even though high humidity isnt required, it keeps the plant full, lush, and healthy. We may receive a commission from sales referred by our links; however, we The scorch marks can be either dark or white. Its important to pay careful attention to your plant so you can fix any problems as they arise. You want to switch out the saturated soil for fresh, moist soil. This is an easy method, and it doesnt cost much. We may receive a commission from sales referred by our links; however, we This beautiful plant was introduced to cultivation in 1952 and has puckered leaves with a dark cross in the middle. 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. Youll want to repeat this process about three days later. Whats more, dividing rex begonias reinvigorates them and makes them grow better. Do not put a Begonia where it gets a southern or even a western exposure. Her published articles have appeared in various print and online publications. Rex begonias do produce delicate flowers but are usually grown for their spectacularly colored and intriguingly textured leaves. It's best to divide the tubers in the early spring, after the buds have begun to swell. Spray the mixture with water until it's damp clear through, but not dripping. Plant one Begonia rex per pot. [], [] want to dilute the neem oil with water in a spray bottle. Begonia seeds are tiny and you might mistake them for dust or pollen. Mermaid Tail Succulent Care #1 Best Tips. How to Water Houseplants Debra is a member of The Spruce Gardening andPlant Care Review Board. Then, to keep the cuts in contact with the mix, start pushing T-pins through the leaf into the soil. Begonia Rex has tiny seeds that need warmth to germinate. I like to take leaf cuttings because its so fascinating to watch a single leaf sprout a whole bunch of babies. There are a few plant pests that love the Begonia rex. So what are you waiting for? Take a transparent bottle half filled with water. . You will need pruning shears (This is the one I use), and I would recommend a jar or bowl of water for larger cuttings more on that later! Like many other Begonias, the Begonia rex is susceptible to several plant issues. 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. When you cut a leaf, make sure the leaf-cutting has three inches of the petiole attached. Provide 50% humidity. Grow them there until theyre big enough to put in the garden or transplant into more permanent pots. Common Issues with Strawberry Begonia. How to Water Houseplants Ensure it bears at least one leaf node. Start as many leaves as will fit in your tray or pot without the leaves touching. Fibrous rooted and rhizomatous begonias do not die back once a year like tuberous begonias. Then simply immerse the entire stalk in water. Rex-cultorum begonias can be propagated in three ways, based on their type: by softwood cuttings, by leaf cuttings, or by dividing the rhizomes in summer. Look for a healthy, full-grown leaf on the parent rex begonia plant. Is the Begonia rex plant toxic to animals? You Might Also Like: Fill an 8-inch diameter pot with well-draining soil mix. Allow the top layer of soil to become completely dry in between waterings. Propagating a Begonia rex doesnt have to be complicated. Brush off the excess soil and inspect the rhizome to find the buds. Regular LED Lights vs. Grow Lights, just didn't know how. You can purchase this Rooting Powder in our retail store, The Plant Farm located in Spokane Valley, WA. 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. Managine Pests in Gardens: BegoniaBegoniaspp. 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. It needs bright, but indirect sunlight and the soil should always be slightly moist. Cover your container with its dome or plastic wrap. Keep in mind youll want to use distilled water for this plant. Then you can use the mix to spray down your plant. On the other hand separating the rhizome takes the most work since you need to get the plant out of its container. Its leaves can be almost round, angel-wing shaped, or any other form. 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. 50%. They should always be your last resort because they contain chemicals that can harm the environment. Jenny Harrington has been a freelance writer since 2006. Its a very satisfying way to keep your begonias dramatic foliage. Rhizomatous types grow from fleshy, caterpillar-like structures inclined to spread over the pot lips or even stand upward. Unlike other types of legginess, this is not caused by excessive growth. Avoid putting a pin through a main leaf vein, or that vein may not root. The original leaf probably will have torn apart and may have even disintegrated. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Keep a Rex Begonia plants soil moist. Pruning and pinching will help you concentrate the growth of your plant and make it denser and bushier. I mist mine daily and water the soil once a week. Previously, she owned her own business, selling handmade items online, wholesale and at crafts fairs. You can test the moisture with your finger. If you can squeeze water from the medium, it is too wet. have carefully selected these products for their usefulness and quality. Replace any fluids lost during pruning by giving your plant a good drink and returning it to its original location to recover. Because rhizomes have shallow roots, a shallow pot will do. Flip the begonia leaf over and use your knife to make a 12-inch cut across five or six of the main veins. Gather the items on the "Materials & Tools" list above. Begonia rex Putz. Rex Begonias are not difficult to divide and propagate, which comes in handy as individual plants usually don't have a very long lifespan. Use a well diluted balanced plant feed monthly in the spring and summer. Dip each piece into hormone rooting powder and shake off the excess. For a Begonia, use regular houseplant fertilizer at half strength every two to three weeks in spring and summer. This begonia requires high humidity during the growing period. You can care for the leaf-cutting as you do the original Begonia rex. The easiest method is to buy a humidifier. Lift the Rex begonia tuber from the pot with a spade or your hands. Spider mites love Begonias as well. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 38,009 times. Rex begonias are herbaceous perennials in zones 10-12 so they are treated as annuals or houseplant specimens in Connecticut. The soil should be watered to feel slightly, but evenly moist. Pin into place with wire. Creach Greenhouse and The Plant Farm are family owned and operated. The roots should be completely covered in soil. Do begonias winter inside? If your plant is turning brown, with brittle leaves/dead leaves, it is likely to be one of three causes. Here are some tips for the most common plant problems youll encounter. Another way to prevent pests is to remove dead or dying leaves right away permanently. The first thing you do is to dig up your Rex Begonia plant. Keep your leaf cutting near 70 degrees and give it plenty of humidity. You Might Also Like: Youll want to use the root division process for the best results. Cultivars which are usually derived from Begonia tuberhybrida are a favourite of gardeners for their bright colours and long flowering season. I like to take leaf cuttings because its so fascinating to watch a single leaf sprout a whole bunch of babies. The Begonia tuberous plant creates beautiful pink flowers. Begonias are some of my favorite indoor plants. The Rex begonia is a rhizomatous plant with stems creeping on the surface. They also thrive on humidity but don't like direct misting, which encourages powdery mildew. When used sparingly, this will encourage the growth of those lovely leaves without inspiring them to reach for the stars. Gently remove the begonia from its container and immediately transplant it into the new medium. Its best to do your pruning in the warmer months when the plant is growing, too. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Youll know you have a mealybug infestation if you see cotton fluff covering your plant. 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. Begonias are easily propagated at home. Avoid nicking or cutting the tuber if you are using a spade. Care guide highlights: Known as the painted-leaf begonia, Begonia rex performs quite well in standard potting mix with the addition of peat moss or leafmold for increased acidity, in bright to moderate light with good ventilation and high humidity, higher, in fact, than other begonias. Airy, light, fast-draining soil is best for rex begonias. Divide the vine into smaller pieces, ensuring each has at least two or three leaves. The rhizome is cut apart and divided in order to propagate new plants. Begonia tubers increase in size each year and after three years or so, the flower display will begin to deteriorate. Leave them in place until they start to get in the way. How to Get Rid of Fruit Flies in Plants 5 Proven Ways! Why are the leaves on my Begonia rex fading? Tiny White Bugs In Soil The Truth Revealed! 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. Divide rex begonia in early spring right before the plant begins growing again. Once the plant pot is ready to go, you can go ahead and plant the leaf-cutting. 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. Develop the tech skills you need for work and life. Step 2: Take a leaf cutting from your rex begonia. These elegant plants arent hard to propagate. Use as many as you need to hold the leaf flat. If you give your begonia too much space, it will seize the opportunity and spread as quickly as it can into the new space. This is how you may get more of these wonderful plants for free. Growth will slow in freezing temperatures and some types of begonias go into a dormant period during the winter due to lack of light. You'll notice if the leaves of your lovely rex begonia begin to wilt, which is one of its most common problems. This means they steal the hydration and nutrition from the plant. You can use tape to keep the plastic wrap to the cutting. 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. It came from Assam, India which is in the Himalayan foothills. Cut the tuber with a sharp knife directly between the two stems. Tuberous and rhizomatous begonias benefit from leaf removal and will reward you with new shoots and more perfectly formed growth. A Begonia rex needs porous fast-draining soil using peat moss, perlite, and vermiculite. Place your Rex begonia in either a north or east-facing window to get bright indirect light indoors. Mix a tablespoon of baking soda, a tablespoon of canola oil, and a tablespoon of dish soap. Do not mist, increase humidity with humidifier or pebble tray. 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. Another method involves spritzing the leaves of your plant now and then. After you've placed your Begonia Rex seedlings into holes in the soil, cover them with soil and water them generously. 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. 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. Cultivar Selection Begonia rex : Evergreen perennial to 30cm, with large, obliquely ovate leaves which are metallic green with a silvery zone on the upper surface, reddish beneath; panicles of small pink flowers in winter. Expect one or two plants per cut. You will want to be looking at the underneath side of the leaf. 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. Dont be afraid! They are resilient and thrive under that level of pruning. Once you see the plant roots coming through the pots drainage holes, its time to re-pot it. See those tiny plants unfurling? When the plants are 3 inches tall and have at least two leaves, theyre ready to lift. Step 1: Gather your materials for propagating rex begonias. Let the soil dry between waterings and avoid overwatering as it may cause fungal diseases or rot. Plant with the flat or concave section of the root facing up. Protecting your leaf cutting from harm while it starts to root is important. Gently tease away some of the soil, and split the horizontal rhizome along with its healthy root systems. How to Root Succulents with Leaf Cuttings When we say a plant is leggy, we mean that its growth is concentrated in its stems. Trim the cutting to just below the next node along for cane or tuberous begonias. How to Divide 45 Favorite Perennials Leave them in place until they start to get in the way. Ideal daytime temperatures are around 70 degrees Fahrenheit, nighttime temperatures around 60 degrees, and a constant humidity level around 50 percent. There is nothing you can do for the old damaged leaves. Porous soil allows excess water to drain instead of holding onto all that unneeded water. You start by filling a tray with smooth pebbles. Straight perlite is very easy for starting new rhizomes. Repot your begonias only when they are completely root-bound. To get rid of an infestation naturally, you should try neem oil. Easy Houseplants - Begonias. After youve resolved the initial problem, prune your plant from the top-down, removing the leggy parts. Its easy to do, especially when keeping the soil moist. 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. Keep it out of direct sunlight, but in a warm, well-lit spot. There are two main ways to propagate a Rex Begonia. You Might Also Like: Let me show you the secret to propagating rex begonias from leaf cuttings. But they can get pricey. But you can also propagate this plant through leaf cuttings. Rather, your plant is balding, which many older gardeners can certainly relate to! It suffocates the pests within only minutes. Replant the original piece and pot or plant the remaining piece. ". Even the best specimen plant can only be expected to thrive for a few years. How to Divide Bearded Irises. These flowers have a slight resemblance to roses. The biggest way to prevent plant pests is to examine all new plants before you bring them into your home. Move your plant to a shadier area. The biggest plant disease you want to avoid from over-watering is root rot. 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. Mist the foliage of Rex (foliage) type begonias twice a week or provide high humidity to avoid leaf drop. Plant growth is costly and necessitates the use of nutrients. {"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":"