How To Take Cuttings From Begonia Rex

How To Take Cuttings From Begonia Rex


Increase your stock of Begonia rex by leaf propagation

Begonia rex is one of our most popular houseplants due to its gorgeous foliage and the fact that it is easy to keep, coping with low light levels and the occasional drying out. Propagation by leaf cutting is an easy way to increase your stock.

 

 You will need:

  • 9cm (3”) plastic pot
  • potting compost
  • Perlite
  • sharp knife
  • label
  • plastic bag

Fill the pot with a 3/1 mix of compost and Perlite; the Perlite opens up the structure of the compost making it easier for the cutting to form roots and aids drainage. Cut off a leaf just below the base. With a sharp knife cut down one of the veins which joins the central vein, then cut down the one on the opposite side. Make parallel cuts above these so that you have a piece of leaf which looks like a chevron about 40mm (1.5”) deep.

Make a slit in the compost by the edge of the pot about 25mm (1”) deep and push in the cutting long side down. Firm the compost around the cutting and label. You will be able to get 2 cuttings in the pot. Stand in some water until the compost is just damp.

Place the pot into a plastic bag; you may have to put some sticks into the pot to support the bag. Put in a warm light spot out of direct sunlight. If you get a build-up of condensation just remove the bag until it has cleared.

After about 8 – 10 weeks the cutting should have grown some leaves, after which it can be taken out of the plastic bag and potted on into the same mixture.


Angela Slater

Daughter of a farmer and market gardener so have always had a connection with the outdoors, whether it was keeping animals or producing fruit, vegetables and cut flowers. Along with my work at Hayes Garden World I also have a smallholding, mainly breeding rare breed pigs. I gained an HND and BSc in Conservation and Environmental Land Management, as a result I am an ardent environmentalist and have a keen interest in environmentally friendly gardening. In my time at Hayes I worked for several years in the Outdoor Plant and Houseplant areas.