Rex begonias need thorough watering but should not be overwatered. WATER. Rex begonia plants have calcium oxalate, which is toxic to dogs and cats. It needs bright but indirect sunlight and the soil should always be moist. Make a small indentation in the center. If you want the begonias to grow outside, mix peat moss and organic matter into your soil, then dig a hole big enough to cover the root ball of the plant. The Association of First Aiders or AoFA is an association formed of members from all different walks of life, with one keen invested interest, First Aid. Then you simply separate each new plant from the mother leaf and pot it on. During the fall, I regularly trim off … They are tough, evergreen groundcover plants with thick creeping rhizomes that have shallow roots and low water needs. There are more than 1,300 species in the begonia plant family. Once the roots are about ½” long, the cuttings are ready to transplant. 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. Too much water can cause plants to turn brown and rot, so allow them to dry out almost completely between waterings. Unlike many begonias that people are familiar with, this one isn’t known for its large, colorful showy flowers. The reason for this is its stunning spiral-like pattern on its leaves that look like the tiny snails. Don’t water the leaves, only the soil to avoid fungal disease issues. Rex begonia root systems are very delicate. Baby food jars are the ideal size for this. Rex begonias prefer to grow in a fairly evenly moist soil. Photo - Linda Ross . Plant the begonia tuber in a three-inch pot in the spring using a standard potting mix. A common name for Rex Begonia is the fireworks plant. Begonia Rex-cultorum group, (bah-GO-nyah). There are pictures step-by-step on propagation of rex begonia: 1)Choose a healthy mature leaf (I use sometimes young leaves also) {{gwi:439830}} 2) Cut the edges {{gwi:439832}} 3)Make 2-3 wedge-shaped cuttings {{gwi:439833}} 4)Plant them in the mix of peat moss and perlite 1:1 in little pots, water and tent them for a few weeks {{gwi:439834}} to dry out, and then water again. African Violet potting mixes work well for Rex Begonias. I had several pots of Rex Begonias this summer that I grew outside for their coloured leaves and because they tolerate quite deep shade. 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. Gently remove the Rex begonia from its nursery pot, handling the root system with care, and place in the middle of the new container. How to propagate begonias. It consists of a large community of people from a range of medical backgrounds from First Aiders within the workplace to Paramedics and surgeons. Stem cuttings are the easiest method of propagating cane begonias. Collecting a variety of these exotic lovelies with different leaf variations is a fun and interesting hobby. The escargot begonia is a one of the most popular Rex Begonia hybrids. Here's what they look like after one week. Origin: The initial species, B. rex, originated in the forests of northern India.Today, there are countless cultivars derived from this species enjoyed around the world. The advice given here will help guide you to growing success. While you do your pruning, put the cut stems into a plastic bag lined with a soaking wet paper towel to keep them from drying out. Remove all but the top leaves from the cut off stems. Rex Begonias are beautiful tropical foliage plants, but they are expensive to buy. A good rule of thumb is to allow the top inch or so (2.5 cm.) Conditions: Considered perennials in tropical and semitropical climates, Rex begonias are frost tender and typically grown as annuals or houseplants in North America. It’s fine to put several cuttings in each jar. Finally, propagating begonias is wonderfully straightforward. Keep the begonia cut stems cool and moist until you get them into a clear vase or jar of water. Many have showy flowers; several are popular as outdoor garden plants. Pinching the leaves off of these plants encourages better leaf growth. Step 7: Pinch Off First Buds. The leaves may have bold shapes or striking, often silver markings. The Begonia rex is one of the most beautiful houseplants out there. Cuttings are held in place with tape. Cluster your plants to create a mini greenhouse effect or put your Begonia Rex on a wet pebble tray to increase the humidity. Gradually increase the amount of water you give it until you are watering it as you would a … Rooting Mediums and containers The simplest medium to root cuttings in is water. … How to Grow Escargot Begonia (Rex Begonia ‘Escargot’) Read More » Fortunately they're part of the rhizomatous begonia group … As such, it gets its nickname. And that’s without producing many flowers like other Begonia species. Begonia Leaf Cuttings are the easiest way to propagate these plants such as the beautifully foliaged Rex types as they really have no significant stems to work with. Place two stem cuttings into a glass of water. Repot no more than a couple of sizes larger than the rootball to avoid sitting water. on Begonia plant leaves. Terrariums are ideal spots to grow rex begonias. Water as needed but take special care not to let them dry out, and be sure to allow them to drain thoroughly when watered. View a picture of this plant disease and learn how to treat it. Rex begonias… Use an African violet potting soil — rex begonias prefer this light, airy, well-drained soil and don’t thrive in heavier mixes. Rex begonias make beautiful houseplants. Propagate Begonia Stem Cuttings in water - Cane-like Angel Wing Begonia Propagating by stem cuttings is just about the easiest way to make more begonias for next summer's garden. Fill in the container with more fresh potting mix for the Rex Begonias, gently firming the soil. Plant the begonias in mid-spring, and water them every few days so the soil stays moist but not wet. Water just enough to keep the container from going completely dry. Above: Moist soil, happy begonia. Place the plant in the center of the new container. Nearly all the types of cuttings will root in water, except for leaf section cuttings that require sterile conditions. Here you could also place the pot in a zip bag for extra humidity somewhat like a greenhouse while they are setting roots. 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