The genus contains more than 1,800 different plant species. Gather the items on the "Materials & Tools" list above. Horticulturists like to put plants into categories, but begonias have always given both taxonomists and gardeners a hard time. Long considered houseplants, rex begonias have begun to star in shadier parts of the summer garden in recent years. Nearly 15,000 hybrids of these popular plants exist. You can try dividing larger tubers, but the cut surface often fails to heal properly, which can lead to rot. Take one or more 3- to 5-inch tip cutting from a healthy wax begonia using garden shears or a sharp knife. If the female flower is fertilized, the ovary becomes a capsule filled with numerous very fine seeds that, in nature, are carried far and wide by the wind, ensuring the species’ survival. Some botanists accept no less than 87 sections in the genus, while some horticultural classifications include dozens of groups. There are dozens of classifications for these begonias (Picotee, Fimbriata, Pendula, Crispa, etc. That’s why it’s best to start begonias under lights, as that gives you full control of day length. 1 Superba Salmon Large Begonia Corm/Bulb - Beautiful in Ground or in Pots bur Not Cold Hardy 4.8 out of 5 stars 8 $12.99 $ 12. Avoid putting a pin through a main leaf vein, or that vein may not root. Since oxalic acid can be toxic if consumed in large quantities, it is best to consume begonia flowers in moderation. Corallina Begonia: Answer: Begonia flowers My father used to grow this begonia when I was a young child, then it seemed to disappear from the market for decades. Its winged ovary readily distinguishes the female flower from the male flower. Let me show you the secret to propagating rex begonias from leaf cuttings. Rhizomatous begonia Begonia heracleifolia nigricans is one of the rare begonias with star-shaped leaves. The Begonia House at the Montreal Botanical Garden. Stem cuttings Take 4in (10cm) with a heel (section of tuber) in April, insert into a sandy rooting compost with some bottom heat of 18-21 C (64-70 F) Semperflorens begonia Seeds should be sown in pots or trays of seed or multi Start watering more abundantly when the plant shows signs of new growth. With such a wide range of different plants, you’d expect to need a lot of varied instructions on how to cultivate them all, but in fact, most begonias do best under pretty similar conditions… as long as you respect their growing season, because some, as mentioned, go dormant and don’t need light or watering for months on end. Ideally, you should cut the plant back at this point and let it rest for 5 or 6 weeks before starting another growing cycle… but hiemalis begonias are notoriously difficult to recuperate at the end of their season, so most gardeners simply buy new plants every year. Each year the National Garden Bureau declares a “year of” that features four plants: one vegetable, one perennial, one annual, and for the first time in 2016, one bulb. In the fall, except in hardiness zones 10-12, almost all begonias will need to move indoors if you want to save them from the cold. Use a ��� One gram of begonia seeds can produce up to 100,000 seedlings! Watch the video: BEGONIA PLANT CARE, How to Grow and Propagate Begonia Cuttings - Garden Tips in English (December 2020). Fortunately they're part of the rhizomatous begonia group and that means you can take leaf-cuttings and save money. To be cautious, I always rinse all my supplies (and my hands) in a solution of 1 teaspoon bleach to 1 quart of water. Some begonias are grown mainly for their beautiful, often exotically colored foliage, others for their attractive, abundant and long-lasting flowers. This subcategory of rhizomatous begonia includes hybrids derived from the long-lost species B. rex crossed with other begonias. ), but you don’t need to know how to classify them in order to grow them! Cut the leaf and stem from the main plant, then take off the leaf stem and throw it away so you’re left with just the leaf. The flowers tend to be small and usually pink, red or white, rarely orange. The tubers start to sprout all on their own towards the end of the winter. At that point, remove the bag or dome to increase air circulation. Turn the begonia leaf back over and press it into the seed-starting mix. In 7-14 days, sometimes longer, you should see very tiny green leaves appear. Its tuber can be huge! C4. Begonia is a genus of perennial flowering plants in the family Begoniaceae. Rex begonias are propagated in the same ways as other rhizomatous begonias and require much the same care. Check out our begonia cuttings selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our craft supplies & tools shops. To sow the seeds, fill a pot or seed tray with moist potting mix, level, and apply the seeds to the surface. The stems may be upright or drooping, the latter often used in hanging baskets. Use as many as you need to hold the leaf flat. Wax Begonias (B. x semperflorens-cultorum), Begonia x semperflorens ‘Ambassador Green Leaf’. After all, how can you bring order to chaos? This is however really only obvious with single flowers. C1. Any of these propagation How to take begonia leaf cuttings Increase your stock of rex begonias by taking leaf cuttings. These begonias are normally grown uniquely for their foliage and little attention is paid to their rather sparse white or pink flowers. This is the classic large-flowered tuberous begonia gardeners have salivated over for generations. Here are some supplies and tools we find essential in our everyday work in the garden. Hybrid Tuberous Begonias (B. x tuberhybrida). Shop great deals on Begonia Houseplants. Every two years, in August, the Grand Place in Brussels is covered with a huge carpet of tuberous begonia flowers. Simply slip a 3 or 4 inch (8-10 cm) section of stem into damp soil, keep the mix moist and the air humid for a few weeks and you’ll soon have a new plant. Start as many leaves as will fit in your tray or pot without the leaves touching. Begonias are prone to fungal infections, and bleach kills any lurkers. Originally rex begonias had leaves that were more or less ear-shaped, but there are now varieties with star-shaped and even spiral leaves. Many species are epiphytes and grow on tree branches or trunks. These begonias are usually produced by seeds and treated as annuals, but you can also multiply them by division or stem cuttings. The extremely fine seed gives seedlings that are tiny and very fragile at first, and their growth can be slow. When to Start Seeds Indoors Use a timer to set your lamp to 14 hour days: that will ensure good germination and equal growth. All rights reserved. Often these begonias have erect stems, although often arching at the tip, stems with very obvious knots and highly asymmetric, wing-shaped leaves (they are often simply called “angelwing begonias” for that reason), although there are many exceptions: plants with climbing or pendant stems or with leaves that are star-shaped or even compound. As a result, germination can be poor or irregular and initial growth almost nil. Begonia flowers are edible and in fact very rich in vitamin C. Their pleasant sweet/tart taste comes from the oxalic acid they contain, the same product that gives spinach and rhubarb their flavor. Before you take the cuttings, you should prepare a "forsythe pot" in which to root them. When the plants are 3 inches tall and have at least two leaves, they’re ready to lift. Most gardeners with a bit of experience can recognize a begonia on sight, but here are few pointers for beginners: The leaves are alternate and usually asymmetrical (they are often ear-shaped or wing-shaped); Female flowers have a winged ovary behind their tepals. Or continue to grow them indoors if you want to use them as houseplants. This category is traditionally divided into 2 parts: rhizamotous begonias per se (a sort of holdall category) and rex begonias. To make babies from cuttings, start by snipping a few healthy leaves from your favorite begonia. Flight, as it lasts only three and a half days semperflorens-cultorum, the popular wax or bedding begonia mother! Or trunks plate size! leaves are long and narrow and the stem cut ) are the... 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