2023 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. With a moderate growth rate, rex begonias may grow to less than 12 inches in a year. This is how you may get more of these wonderful plants for free. Regarding the Rex Begonia, you want to repot in a shallow pot. Typically grown for their beautiful leaf markings, most rex begonias have large leaves with intricate swirling patterns in a variety of colours including green, red, purple and silver. Always be careful during this process, you dont want to damage the Rex Begonia plants roots. Lay the plants roots on a paper towel. The first thing you do is to dig up your Rex Begonia plant. Begonia rex plants are prone to mildew and fungi. But be careful not to let the plastic touch the leaves or you could risk fungal problems. . Remove the lower leaves on each cutting, leaving the upper one or two leaves. Toxic to pets such as cats and dogs and horses. Use warm water in a misting bottle. Insert the garden fork about 6 inches from the plant so the roots won't be damaged by the fork. But you can also propagate this plant through leaf cuttings. Begonias originated in the tropics and thrive in warm, humid climates. Rex begonias do produce delicate flowers but are usually grown for their spectacularly colored and intriguingly textured leaves. But if you place a piece of paper under your plant and shake it, you should see them fall. Dig up the begonia and then look to see where it naturally sections. Pin into place with wire. It suffocates the pests within only minutes. The truth is, dry leaves are a sign of over-watering. Temperature and Humidity 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. The rex begonia requires at least 50 perecnet humidity and careful watering that keeps the soil moist but not too wet. Straight perlite is very easy for starting new rhizomes. Rhizomatous begonias such as the rex begonia can be easily propagated by. 50%. By dividing/propagating plants you can continue to enjoy them throughout the years. 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. You can use a mixture of perlite, vermiculite and peat moss, if you prefer. The problem is that a rex begonia with some leaves bitten off is really a disaster on the gardening front. Silver Limbo is a compact, small-leafed variety that offers beautiful metallic-silver foliage that has purple-red backsides. Its leaves can be almost round, angel-wing shaped, or any other form. The rex begonia vine can be grown as an indoor plant or as an outdoor plant, though it will not survive cold temperatures outdoors. Well walk you through both methods step-by-step down below. The Begonia tuberous plant creates beautiful pink flowers. On the other hand separating the rhizome takes the most work since you need to get the plant out of its container. The rex begonia is toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. Now, set your plant on the pebbles. You want to be careful during this process to avoid injuring the plants roots. You'll notice if the leaves of your lovely rex begonia begin to wilt, which is one of its most common problems. To grow a begonia in a pot, you need to allow for growth, so ensure you choose a pot that is twice the width and depth of the plant. Rex begonias like bright, indirect light year-round. Place each leaf cutting on the surface of a tray of moist seed raising mix. Pruning and pinching will help you concentrate the growth of your plant and make it denser and bushier. The salt from the fertilizer can build up in the soil, causing serious fertilizer burn. 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. The leaves on this plant can grow to about 6 inches in width. Take a close look at the shape of your begonia first. The best time to divide is during the repotting period in the spring or summer. Don't water the leaves, only the soil to avoid fungal disease issues. Cultivars which are usually derived from Begonia tuberhybrida are a favourite of gardeners for their bright colours and long flowering season. 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. Mist the foliage of Rex (foliage) type begonias twice a week or provide high humidity to avoid leaf drop. But doing this can mean accidentally over-watering your plant, which makes using fast-draining soil super important. Avoid putting a pin through a main leaf vein, or that vein may not root. long stem cutting from a healthy Begonia Rex. 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. How to propagate Rex Begonia in water? After youve trimmed your plant to the desired height, pinch off new growth sprouting at the top on a regular basis. But if all the roots are rotten, there isnt anything you can do for the plant. Rex begonias require high humidity and heavy fertilization during the growing period. These cuts (and the stem cut) are where the new plantlets will form. You could also put your leaf cuttings in an east window as long as the temperature stays consistently warm. In worst-case scenarios, it can kill your pet. Brush off the excess soil and inspect the rhizome to find the buds. wikiHow is a wiki, similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. Make sure you pack the soil tightly around the cutting. When choosing your pot, a good general rule of thumb is no more than 20cm across the top for each begonia. There are several ways to create humidity for any indoor 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. The most common affliction from too much direct sunlight is the scorching of leaves. This is how you may get more of these wonderful plants for free. Rex begonias are semi-tropical perennial plants native to Asia, usually grown as house plants. 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. You deal with powdery mildew when you see a white powdery substance all over your plant. 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. This moisture goes straight to your plant since it sits atop the water source. Replant the original piece and pot or plant the remaining piece. It grows about 6 inches tall and wide. Begonia rex is toxic to pets such as cats, dogs, and horses, according to ASCPA. Begonia Rex has tiny seeds that need warmth to germinate. Make sure you sterilize the pruning shears with isopropyl alcohol. Take a long stem cutting from a mature rex begonia plant with single foliage. Fill an 8-inch diameter pot with well-draining soil mix. They bloom in several colors, including pink, orange, and red. But they will also let you know if they feel that their water, light, and soil conditions are a bit off for their liking. I am personally against misting the leaves of plants manually as mist on the leaves can cause leaf rot if the airflow is not sufficient to dry them quickly. Rex begonias are a colourful addition to your indoor or patio potted plants. You should only allow the top inch or so of the soil to dry out before you water. Plant a tuber section per pot. Divide the vine into smaller pieces, ensuring each has at least two or three leaves. 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. This begonia requires high humidity during the growing period. The original leaf probably will have torn apart and may have even disintegrated. To do this, you want to cover the leaf-cutting in plastic wrap. It can be a tattered, older leaf, but on the underside, the main veins should be plump and undamaged. Place in a brightly lit, 60 to 70 degree F room and keep the soil moist but not soggy. Move your plant to a shadier area. The flowers can turn orange, pink, and white. This plant disease can destroy a plant. 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. Harrington's specialties include small business information, crafting, decorating and gardening. It's available in various colors. Repot your begonias only when they are completely root-bound. Make sure the plant never dries out. After you've resolved the initial problem, prune your plant from the top-down, removing the leggy parts. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Leave them in place until they start to get in the way. The cutting should then be placed in a clean pot filled with moistened potting mix. Begonia rex Taxonomy ID: 200043 (for references in articles please use NCBI:txid200043) current name. Cut the germinated tubers longitudinally, each with 1 to 2 buds, and plant in a pot after the incision is dried. Rex Begonia plants are rhizomatous plants. Compact grow lights are very common and simple to use and will provide your begonia with the light levels it requires to stay in one place rather than legging it off in search of a brighter day. Begonias shed their lower leaves as they grow older. Make sure you sit your plant a few inches away instead of sitting it right under the light. Some Begonias go dormant for the winter and others have no dormant period and continue to grow and flower for the entire winter. Begonia rex plants can quickly get mildew or fungal diseases. This will double the chance of being successful with propagation. Cane begonias should be pruned on a regular basis to encourage a thicker growth, and other varieties benefit from having their excessively straggly growth removed as well. Open the containers lid once a week for 10 minutes to let the cuttings breath. Plants are root bound when you can't insert a pencil into a drainage holes on the pot. When to Start Seeds Indoors NCBI BLAST name . Knowing which Begonia you have can help a lot in having success with bringing the plants indoors for the winter. Rex begonias are often troubled by powdery mildew and botrytis fungal disease. Can you divide Rex Begonias? Once the roots have dried, its time to plant them. To water propagate your Begonia, all you have to do is partially submerge the stem in water, leaving the leaves sticking out. Provide 50% or more humidity and fertilize every three weeks using a liquid fertilizer diluted to 1/2 strength. This Begonia creates both gorgeous leaves and flowers. ". Direct sunlight can cause damage to this plant. How to Grow Tuberous Begonias Plant one Begonia rex per pot. Step 1 - Find a suitable tuber. When shopping for a new pot, choose one that is only an inch (2.5cm) or so wider across the top. Mealybugs like to feed on the sap from the inside of a plant. These mites arent actual insects but arachnids instead. Then simply immerse the entire stalk in water. Within minutes youll see plant pests popping up deceased. These begonias have gorgeous flowers with frilly edges. Aggressive Drainage. If planting outdoors, do so in May after frosts, but plant anytime indoors. It may seem brutal, but there really isnt much to it. You need to remove all dead or harmed roots right away. a Few Hardy Begonias @ The most toxic parts of this plant grow underground. It contains Soluble calcium oxalates. Beefsteak geranium,King begonia,painted-leaf begonia,Rex begonia. When an infestation is too big for you to handle, consider pesticides. Plant with the flat or concave section of the root facing up. Water until it begins dripping from the bottom drainage holes to ensure it is moist throughout. - . 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. First, let's talk about the best light for Cissus discolor when it is grown as a houseplant year-round. You may get several cuttings depending on the size of your leaf. Use a well-draining soil mix to care for Begonia rex and provide bright indirect light. External Information Resources (NCBI . Snip off flowers and older leaves first to give the division more energy for root growth. Have a lovely tuberous begonia who has been blooming well since August but is leggy now in December. When it comes to repotting, your choice of potting medium is critical. 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. These strange plant pests are soft-bodied. Mix a tablespoon of baking soda, a tablespoon of canola oil, and a tablespoon of dish soap. Its both economical and satisfying to watch your sad, leggy begonia transform into a thriving swarm of new plants. Cuttings taken from leggy specimens are a great way to start new plants. How to split begonias? To fix a leggy begonia, first, determine what is causing the overgrowth and then correct it by increasing light, temperature, or changing the plants pot. Creach Greenhouse and The Plant Farm are family owned and operated. Ive cut each vein about an inch from the central vein in the photo above. 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. Rex begonias grow from a rhizome, which is a root system that sprouts buds and roots to grow into the plant. Clip just above growth nodes to give the plant something to work with as it grows new leaves. 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. Tiny White Bugs In Soil The Truth Revealed! They can take up to 6 weeks to emerge, so be patient. For a Begonia, use regular houseplant fertilizer at half strength every two to three weeks in spring and summer. 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. tall and wide (25-30 cm). These plants are grown almost exclusively for their foliagetheir blooms tend to be small and less showy and many growers pinch off blooms to maintain breathtaking leaf displays. Be careful not to over-water your plant, though. This is a common method for dividing hardy begonias. A temperature between 65-75F (18-24C) is ideal. This means it wont absorb the fertilizer. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 38,009 times. Allow the soil to dry out a little between waterings. Gently transplant the babies into 3-inch pots. Rex begonias are beautiful and easy to propagate from leaf cuttings. Avoid direct sunlight, but any location with good diffuse light will encourage your begonia to bloom with an abundance of alluring foliage. Start as many leaves as will fit in your tray or pot without the leaves touching. These resemble pink or red bumps, similar to the growing eyes on potatoes. However, if you have over-fertilized your begonia, it may seize the opportunity to really get going, shooting up and becoming leggy. The Begonia rex is toxic to cats, dogs, and horses. Use a pair of sterilized pruning shears to get your leaf cutting. Dont forget to rotate your plant whenever possible, so all parts are getting equal amounts of light. Theyre perfect for the pastel plant lover. Rex Begonias are not difficult to divide and propagate, which comes in handy as individual plants usually don't have a very long lifespan. Let me show you the secret to propagating rex begonias from leaf cuttings. We are compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to on this site. Soil Airy, light, fast-draining soil is best for rex begonias. Let me show you how to get more of these great plants practically free! have carefully selected these products for their usefulness and quality. It's best to divide the tubers in the early spring, after the buds have begun to swell. Maintain the soil moist until new growth emerges. Brush fungicide onto each cut surface of the roots to prevent disease. Tamp down the medium to hold the cutting upright. According to Cornell University, your Begonia is susceptible to this disease in wet or humid environments. 3. How many Begonia rex plants can I put in one pot? Appearance. Then, to keep the cuts in contact with the mix, start pushing T-pins through the leaf into the soil. Rex begonias are a special group, because we grow them for their beautiful leaves. Youll also want to check the roots to ensure root rot hasnt started. Another method involves spritzing the leaves of your plant now and then. 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. Begonias grown indoors are especially susceptible to root rot and overwatering. Rex Begonia can also reproduce by dividing tubers. Prefers partial shade and organically rich, moist but well-drained soils. Cut away any shrivelled or soft and rotten sections of the tuber and discard these. This plant is only a semi-tropical plant. Since you must wait for the roots to dry, prepare the plant pot. Its not uncommon for a clipped cane to produce two new shoots, resulting in an overall thicker and bushier plant. Cut the leaf into wedges to do so lay the leaf flat on your work space. Finally, pinch back stray leaves on a regular basis to keep your begonia lush. Keep in mind youll want to use distilled water for this plant. It's best to divide the tubers in the early spring, after the buds have begun to swell. There is a major downside to spritzing the Rex Begonia. Begin by removing the tallest, thinnest stalks. Learn more Rex begonias are striking known as painted-leaf begonias or fancy-leaf begonias because of their stunning leaf coloration. In the video, Alan of The Plant Farm talks about the unique Rex Begonia and how to propagate it. How to Propagate Begonia Rex in Water by using a single leaf | plant Propagating Experiments. 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. Rex begonias make excellent presents and are easy to divide. And always make sure the first inch of soil is dry before you water your Begonia rex. The rex begonia plant thrives in humid environments and exposure to bright indirect sunlight. You can care for the leaf-cutting as you do the original Begonia rex. Plantophiles 2023 |UpVision GmbH | Privacy Policy | About us, Common Problems with the Begonia Rex (Pests and Diseases), Your Begonia Rex has Crispy Leaves or is Losing Leaves, Your Begonia Rex has Silver or Grey Spores, Your Begonia Rex has a White Powdery Substance. Stand the stem into the bottle, and keep foliage above water or on top of the bottle. Water when the top 1 of soil becomes almost dry about once a week. Take a transparent bottle half filled with water. Spray the mixture with water until it's damp clear through, but not dripping. Fertilize your begonias. Step 1 Snip off flowers and older leaves first to give the division more energy for root growth. 100K views 9 years ago In the video, Alan of The Plant Farm talks about the unique Rex Begonia and how to propagate it. Its easy to do, especially when keeping the soil moist. The soil for your Begonia should always be moist. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. Make sure the medium is evenly moist but not wet or soggy. After youve pruned your begonia, it will begin to sprout new leaves. The begonias eye-catching, asymmetrical leaves make it the star of any collection, but what if your begonia is more stem than a leaf? I just call them all fancy-leaf begonias, but they divide into several structural groups: Fibrous-rooted ones have cane-like stems and often wing-like leaves. Keep the seeds in temperatures of between 70 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit until they germinate. To treat this disease, remove all infected leaves on the plant. Its beautiful leaves are sensitive to direct sunlight. But they can get pricey. Plant growth is costly and necessitates the use of nutrients. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. It was published in 1857. These leaves are arranged in an asymmetrical manner on the stems. Begonias are easily propagated at home. They should always be your last resort because they contain chemicals that can harm the environment. For a previously leggy plant, a good all-purpose balanced liquid fertilizer is ideal. All of that summer zeal will end up in the leaves, giving you a display of growth to be proud of. 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. I like to take leaf cuttings because its so fascinating to watch a single leaf sprout a whole bunch of babies. The best light for rex begonia vine when growing indoors. 2. They are resilient and thrive under that level of pruning. This article has been viewed 38,009 times. Check for rot in your cuttings once a week. There are a few different methods that can be used to propagate rex begonias, but the most common is stem propagation. Use as many as you need to hold the leaf flat. Why are the leaves on my Begonia rex fading? Whats more, dividing rex begonias reinvigorates them and makes them grow better. On occasion, Ive pruned the top of a begonia, removed the leggy portion of the stem, and then immersed the remaining top in water to establish root. The soil should always be moist. Its also the most common issue youll come across. Young leaves should be removed before they unfurl. Then, to keep the cuts in contact with the mix, start pushing T-pins through the leaf into the soil. Use a garden fork to dig a healthy wax begonia plant. I mist mine daily and water the soil once a week. A Begonia rex fools many plant lovers with dry leaves. Active Interest Media Holdco, Inc. Copyright 2023. There are a few plant pests that love the Begonia rex. Rather, your plant is balding, which many older gardeners can certainly relate to! Over-watering can make your plant sick and fast. We empower you to efficiently solve each new challenge and make your life better and easier. Check weekly. Place your plant in the shade if grown outdoors. "I've been losing all my beautiful leaves off most of my favorite plants! A great way to prevent powdery mildew is through a spray mix you can make at home. The roots should be completely covered in soil. See those tiny plants unfurling? Common Issues with Strawberry Begonia. During the warmer months, take the time to pinch off new growth at the plants crown.