Propagating begonias is a simple method to enjoy a taste of summer throughout the year. Many gardeners wonder whether it is possible to maintain begonias indoors over the winter due to their low light requirements. Annuals can be brought in from the garden, but they may suffer shock or become lanky after spending the summer outdoors. Rather than buying new plants for your winter window sills, why not propagate your existing begonias?
Propagation of Begonias
Garden begonias come in three varieties: tuberous, rhizomatous, and fibrous-rooted. Tuberous begonias, which have enormous leaves and are available in pots or as brown tubers for DIY planting, are the most popular. Professional growers employ a variety of methods for propagating begonias, but we amateur gardeners have the advantage of being able to readily duplicate all three varieties using begonia cuttings.
Taking simple cuttings is an easy way to reproduce begonias, but even the most seasoned gardeners make adjustments to the fundamental techniques to fit their particular skillsets. In order to reproduce begonias by cuttings, there are two primary methods: stem and leaf. Why not give them each a shot and see which one you prefer?
Stem Cuttings for Begonia Propagation
A juice glass with an inch (2.5 cm.) of water and 4-inch (10 cm.) stems was all my mother needed to root anything. This allowed her to keep an eye on the water level and add extra as needed. It will take around a month for her begonia cuttings to begin producing roots and be ready to be planted in two weeks. This procedure can also be used to root begonias. There are, however, certain downsides. While it is possible that the stems could decay due to exposure to direct sunlight, it is also possible that tap water, which may contain chlorine, will poison the young shoots.
Begonia cuttings that are four inches (10 cm) long can be planted directly into a growing medium, which is a more reliable method for me. When I use this method for re-rooting begonias, I have better control over the container’s moisture level. For cutting, choose mature stems that aren’t fibrous or woody. Slash just below the point where two strands of DNA meet. Remove the lower half of the stem’s leaves with care. The clipped ends are the perfect moment to soak in rooting hormone if you chance to have any on hand. There is nothing wrong with not having any. You don’t need it in order to grow Begonias.
Using a dibble stick (or, if you’re like me, a pencil resting on the counter), make a hole in the planting media and place your stem into the hole. Hold the cutting upright by tamping down on the medium. It doesn’t matter what kind of medium you use to grow to root begonias if it’s light and moist.
Recommendations for Begonia Cutting Propagation
When propagating begonias, many gardeners prefer to construct a small hothouse to ensure that the soil is kept evenly moist. Plastic bags or cut-off bottles with the bottoms removed work well for this purpose. Drainage holes can be made in the bottom of your pot by using a plastic bread bag. After planting, lift the bag’s sides up and secure it with plastic ties. By opening and closing the bag, you can control the amount of air and moisture that enters and exits.
Propagation begins with just one leaf from a Begonia
When propagating larger-leaved begonias, it is possible to start with a single leaf. Remove a mature leaf off the plant by slicing it along the stem using a fine-toothed knife. The cut end should now be rounded off using a pair of scissors. Only bury the petiole (the stalk of the leaf), not the leaf. Begonias can be rooted in this manner to produce a new plant from the roots that form at the tip of the petiole.
To save money and show off your green thumb, you can propagate begonias using stems or leaves. Whether you use these methods for a windowsill garden or to grow your own flats for next spring’s outdoor planting, or even to save that begonia stem that has been sacrificed to the wind, propagating begonias through stem or leaf is an easy method.
