Fading leaves on a Begonia rex indicate too much direct sunlight. 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. Water the begonia transplant and acclimate it in an area out of direct sun. The rex begonia is toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. Deer will eat the former and turn up their noses with the latter. Like many other Begonias, the Begonia rex is susceptible to several plant issues. 100K views 9 years ago In the video, Alan of The Plant Farm talks about the unique Rex Begonia and how to propagate it. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. How to Propagate Rex Begonias from Leaf Cuttings - Garden Gate Houseplant Help: 5 Tips to Keep Finicky Begonia Rex Alive You can also propagate rex begonia from water. Use a well diluted balanced plant feed monthly in the spring and summer. But theyre covered in a cotton-like substance that protects them from outside forces. Now, set your plant on the pebbles. Ingestions may lead to vomiting, kidney failure in grazing animals, and salvation in cats and dogs. Plant a tuber section per pot. Let the soil dry between waterings and avoid overwatering as it may cause fungal diseases or rot. Rex begonias grow from a rhizome, which is a root system that sprouts buds and roots to grow into the plant. Make sure you sterilize the pruning shears with isopropyl alcohol. Begonias are some of my favorite indoor plants. How to Divide 45 Favorite Perennials This moisture goes straight to your plant since it sits atop the water source. Begonia roots are prone to rot immediately after dividing. Plus, there will be minimal damage to your plant. The rex begonia vine can be grown as an indoor plant or as an outdoor plant, though it will not survive cold temperatures outdoors. Youll only need to refill the tray with water once its empty. You can use a mixture of perlite, vermiculite and peat moss, if you prefer. After you've resolved the initial problem, prune your plant from the top-down, removing the leggy parts. And some are smooth, some fuzzy. How To Propagate Rex Begonia? - RayaGarden Why are the leaves on my Begonia rex fading? Trim the cutting to just below the next node along for cane or tuberous begonias. Anthurium Light Tips, How Cold Can Anthurium Tolerate Temperature and Humidity. Provide 50% or more humidity and fertilize every three weeks using a liquid fertilizer diluted to 1/2 strength. The most common affliction from too much direct sunlight is the scorching of leaves. Step 1: Gather your materials for propagating rex begonias. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 38,009 times. But they will also let you know if they feel that their water, light, and soil conditions are a bit off for their liking. Are Begonias Deer Resistant & How To Keep Them From Eating Begonias You Might Also Like: And make sure your plant is always getting bright but indirect sunlight. How to Divide Rex Begonias - BBC Gardeners World Magazine Even the best specimen plant can only be expected to thrive for a few years. The leaves on this plant can grow to about 6 inches in width. The original Rex Begonia had dark leaves with wonderful silver designs. Begonia Rex has tiny seeds that need warmth to germinate. Develop the tech skills you need for work and life. Your begonia, regardless of variety, requires partial shade to bright, indirect light to thrive. A very well draining potting mix with added sand and perlite. Now you care for the new plant like you do the mother, Rex. Rather, your plant is balding, which many older gardeners can certainly relate to! Cuttings taken from leggy specimens are a great way to start new plants. Use regular houseplant fertilizer tri-weekly diluted to half-strength. Grow them there until theyre big enough to put in the garden or transplant into more permanent pots. When to Start Seeds Indoors Fibrous rooted and rhizomatous begonias do not die back once a year like tuberous begonias. The original leaf probably will have torn apart and may have even disintegrated. Cissus discolor, also known as rex begonia vine, is an evergreen, perennial, flowering trailing plant in the grape or family Vitaceae native to Southeast Asia, . I mist mine daily and water the soil once a week. You need to remove all dead or harmed roots right away. But the air in the plants environment cant be dry. Dip each piece into hormone rooting powder and shake off the excess. 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. Remove the begonia from its container and gently tease the roots apart, position it in the pot and backfill around it. The easiest method is to buy a humidifier. Rex begonias can be bought at the following online retailers: Logees, Amazon and Etsy, and many other online and offline shops. Repot your begonias only when they are completely root-bound. A few stones may help keep the begonia leaf from curling up and away from the mix, as well. However, while they do best in partial shade and indirect light, this is not the same as no light at all. Look for a healthy, full-grown leaf on the parent rex begonia plant. Don't water the leaves, only the soil to avoid fungal disease issues. You will want to be looking at the underneath side of the leaf. Rex begonias do best in moderate temperatures (60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit) and moderately high humidity (around 50 percent). Whats more, dividing rex begonias reinvigorates them and makes them grow better. On the other hand separating the rhizome takes the most work since you need to get the plant out of its container. The best time to divide is during the repotting period in the spring or summer. Step 1 Snip off flowers and older leaves first to give the division more energy for root growth. Besides a pest infestation, there may be other reasons why the leaves are wilting, including the following: Rex begonias are one of the easiest houseplants to care for and happy in many conditions. Begonias, according to conventional wisdom, benefit from smaller-than-average pots. Overgrowth occurs in all begonias, but it is most noticeable in cane begonias. . Do you want to save any of the leaf patches? Water once it has almost dried out. Allow the top layer of soil to become completely dry in between waterings. Ensure it bears at least one leaf node. long stem cutting from a healthy Begonia Rex. 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. They thrive on humidity but be careful if misting leaves that they don't stay too wet and encourage powdery mildew. Within minutes youll see plant pests popping up deceased. Its usually an easy process if you know what steps to take. Youll also need to make sure theres plenty of air circulation. A Begonia rex needs porous fast-draining soil using peat moss, perlite, and vermiculite. Place in a brightly lit, 60 to 70 degree F room and keep the soil moist but not soggy. Snip off flowers and older leaves first to give the division more energy for root growth. Examine your begonia growing environment. Another interesting andbeautiful begonia is B.masoniana, also known as the Iron Cross begonia. Move your Begonia Rex to an eastern exposure and the new leaves will be fine. Jun 1, 2021 - Rex begonias make excellent house plants, and are easy to divide so you can gift them to friends. Spray the mixture with water until it's damp clear through, but not dripping. You can care for the leaf-cutting as you do the original Begonia rex. How to Propagate Rex Begonias from Leaf Cuttings | Garden Gate How to propagate Rex Begonia in water? 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 . The problem is that a rex begonia with some leaves bitten off is really a disaster on the gardening front. There are a few plant pests that love the Begonia rex. All of that summer zeal will end up in the leaves, giving you a display of growth to be proud of. We may receive a commission from sales referred by our links; however, we Divide the leaf into sections about 2cm long, each with . Creach Greenhouse and The Plant Farm are family owned and operated. Using a little bit of root tone and a small amount of fungicide to keep. Water sparingly and allow to drain. After youve resolved the initial problem, prune your plant from the top-down, removing the leggy parts. Because their leaf markings are so beautiful, rex begonia growers often remove the small, inconspicuous flowers when they appear, as they can detract from the foliage display. Begonias are prone to fungal infections, and bleach kills any lurkers. This stops any plant disease from spreading. By using our site, you agree to our. Leave them in place until they start to get in the way. The best temperature is 65-75F (18-24C). Among the various types of begonias, Begonia rex is one of the most beautiful and dramatic plants. Begonias are prone to fungal infections, and bleach kills any lurkers. Rex Begonia - Geoponics Use as many as you need to hold the leaf flat. 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. Open the containers lid once a week for 10 minutes to let the cuttings breath. Divide rhizomatous begonias in spring, ensuring that each portion of the rhizome bears one or more growing points. Straight perlite is very easy for starting new rhizomes. University of Connecticut Home and Garden Information Center. A Begonia rex needs porous fast-draining soil using peat moss, perlite, and vermiculite. This is because the leaves are covered in calcium oxalate crystals. Growth will slow in freezing temperatures and some types of begonias go into a dormant period during the winter due to lack of light. Brush fungicide onto each cut surface of the roots to prevent disease. Place the cutting at a 45-degree angle in a fresh pot of peat moss and perlite. Do begonias winter inside? These mites arent actual insects but arachnids instead. Active Interest Media Holdco, Inc. Copyright 2023. It's best to divide the tubers in the early spring, after the buds have begun to swell. The seeds . There are two main ways to propagate a Rex Begonia. This causes begonias, particularly cane varieties such as the popular Polka Dot or Angel Wing varieties, to grow tall and lean, with few leaves along the stems. Place your Rex begonia in either a north or east-facing window to get bright indirect light indoors. Theyre perfect for the pastel plant lover. Fill a small pot with moistened seed-starting medium. Begonia rex plants can quickly get mildew or fungal diseases. (6 Useful Methods of Use). Avoid direct sunlight, but any location with good diffuse light will encourage your begonia to bloom with an abundance of alluring foliage. Finally, pinch back stray leaves on a regular basis to keep your begonia lush. 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. Get rid of these infected leaves right away. It can affect the animals breathing and cause excessive drooling. But because they propagate so easily, it's a simple matter to keep a steady supply of healthy plants by creating new plants from cuttings. Place each leaf cutting on the surface of a tray of moist seed raising mix. Rex begonias do produce delicate flowers but are usually grown for their spectacularly colored and intriguingly textured leaves. You Might Also Like: If the begonia will be transplanted to an outdoors location, prepare the soil about 7 to 10 to days before planting by adding aged manure or compost and mix into the soil. Fertilize your begonias. Rex begonias make excellent presents and are easy to divide. You could also put your leaf cuttings in an east window as long as the temperature stays consistently warm. It came from Assam, India which is in the Himalayan foothills. You Might Also Like: But don't let the soil become overly dry or the plant will begin to wither. 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. Let me show you the secret to propagating rex begonias from leaf cuttings. Rex Begonia Propagation| How to Propagate Rex Begonia from Stem Cuttings Like most Begonia species, such as Begonia maculata, the Begonia rex is easy to care for. Tamp down the medium to hold the cutting upright. 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. Find a rex begonia leaf you want to propagate and cut it off the plant. Provide the plant with plenty of bright indirect sun, but keep it out of direct sunlight and rotate frequently to expose it to equal light on all sides. Rex begonias need thorough watering but should not be overwatered. Use a well-draining soil mix to care for Begonia rex and provide bright indirect light. How to Grow Rex Begonia Rex begonias are grown from seed and require about four months to reach maturity before being ready for flowering. Keep the seeds in temperatures of between 70 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit until they germinate. If there are several plants in one pot, they will crowd together. Let the soil surface become dry to the touch before watering. It was published in 1857. How many Begonia rex plants can I put in one pot? Powdery mildew is a pain to get rid of, but its possible with a lot of effort. It contains soluble calcium oxalates. Provide 50% humidity. Its easy to do, especially when keeping the soil moist. 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. Are Begonia Rex Plants Poisonous? - Study Nature You should only allow the top inch or so of the soil to dry out before you water. How to split begonias? - JacAnswers Begonias are prone to mildew and mold. 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. 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. Jenny Harrington has been a freelance writer since 2006. A tuber ready to divide should be large and also have at least two clear stems. 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. Make sure the water isnt running full blast. But they can get pricey. They frequently have large leaves (up to 6 inches long) that are brightly colored in various shades of green, red, silver, and even purple. BBC Gardeners' World Magazine. Place the leaf-cutting, so its sticking out of the soil at a 45-degree angle. But if all the roots are rotten, there isnt anything you can do for the plant. Take a long stem cutting from a mature rex begonia plant with single foliage. Begonia Propagation: Rooting Begonias From Cuttings - Gardening Know How To be cautious, I always rinse all my supplies (and my hands) in a solution of 1 teaspoon bleach to 1 quart of water. This plant is only a semi-tropical plant. The truth is, dry leaves are a sign of over-watering. Youll want to repeat this process about three days later. Learn how from The Urban Gardener, Alan Creach of Creach Greenhouse and The Plant Farm.In this video, Alan refers to root tone, which is the same type of product as Bonide Rooting Power, which is what we currently use and recommend at The Plant Farm. With a sharp spade, cut a piece off. A temperature between 65-75F (18-24C) is ideal. 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. Find out how, in our step-by-step guide. Begonias - University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural What if I told you that you could propagate a bunch of beautiful rex begonias for almost nothing? When we say a plant is leggy, we mean that its growth is concentrated in its stems. It suffocates the pests within only minutes. Common Issues with Strawberry Begonia. A stem cutting should be two to four inches in length and come from a healthy plant. The water shouldnt flow over the pebbles. 10 Best Begonia Rex Care Tips - Growing Guide - Plantophiles Dividing Tuberous Begonias - Knowledgebase Question - Garden.org It should be getting bright indirect light. Use as many as you need to hold the leaf flat. You start by filling a tray with smooth pebbles. Then, to keep the cuts in contact with the mix, start pushing T-pins through the leaf into the soil. Plant growth is costly and necessitates the use of nutrients. How to Divide Bearded Irises. Simply break off rhizomes that have grown outside the pot and start them in a small pot. Male and female flowers are borne separately on the same plant, the male . Published: Wednesday, 26 August, 2020 at 3:06 pm. To be cautious, I always rinse all my supplies (and my hands) in a solution of 1 teaspoon bleach to 1 quart of water. You could also put your leaf cuttings in an east window as long as the temperature stays consistently warm. To get rid of an infestation naturally, you should try neem oil. Learn more Rex begonias are striking known as painted-leaf begonias or fancy-leaf begonias because of their stunning leaf coloration. Rex begonias grow from a rhizome, which is a root system that sprouts buds and roots to grow into the plant. 2023 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. If you have a heat mat for seedlings, that will help the begonia leaf cuttings get off to a faster start. The biggest way to prevent plant pests is to examine all new plants before you bring them into your home. It may seem brutal, but there really isnt much to it. Keep in mind youll want to use distilled water for this plant. Then, place the vase or glass containing the plant in a light and warm spot to provide the perfect growing conditions. Grown for their foliage, the leaves come in shades of green, red, pink and silver. It is perfectly acceptable to lop off the entire top of your leggy begonia. Etiolation is the rapid growth of the portion of the stem between the leaves. You can cut off up to two-thirds of the top of any given cane begonia. When it comes to fast-draining soil, porous soil works the best. You should only fertilize this plant during the growing season when new growth emerges. Most of the time, the roots should be easy to divide by hand. It can be a tattered, older leaf, but on the underside, the main veins should be plump and undamaged. Lay the plants roots on a paper towel. 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. Guide To Care For Begonia Rex | Harper's Nurseries Keep your leaf cutting near 70 degrees and give it plenty of humidity. Propagating Begonia rex. One of our favorite methods for creating high humidity is the pebble tray method. On transplant day, dig a hole sufficient to accommodate the begonia's root ball or tubers (in the case of tuberous begonia). Step 3: Cut the rex begonia leaf. Keep the temperature setting at about 70 degrees. Can you divide Rex Begonias? Moisten the sphagnum with a sprayer, then cover with glass or plastic wrap to keep moisture in. This plant dislikes cold temperatures. Gently remove the begonia from its container and immediately transplant it into the new medium. You may get several cuttings depending on the size of your leaf. Other varieties may not require as much vigorous pruning, but even the most delicate begonia will benefit from having its overgrown stalks and stems trimmed back. Care For Begonia Rex - Teak And Terracotta Cut the leaf into wedges to do so lay the leaf flat on your work space. 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. Allow fleshy cuts to dry for an hour before potting. How to Propagate Begonia Rex in Water by using a single leaf | plant Propagating Experiments. Here are some other cool Begonia species to check out. Rex begonias are beautiful and easy to propagate from leaf cuttings. They can take up to 6 weeks to emerge, so be patient. {"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":"