Their botanical name (Begonia semperflorens-cultorum) gives us a clue about their flowering habits. 'Semperflorens' means 'ever blooming'. In my experience, cuttings will begin to regrow flower buds even before the new roots begin to develop right there in their rooting flats! Perhaps you need to review your cultural program for these predictable tender perennials?

I find that for most of my canes just giving them plenty of light will cause them to break from the ground. Some are more inclined to branch than others, and the breaks from the ground do a good job of filling any of them out. The ones that are not inclined to branch usually look funny when their tops are pinched (at least to my eye) but can get very full with a little time, plenty of light including at least some sun, and light fertilizing. If that's not fast enough. you could cut it to the ground (assuming it's well established) and stick the cutting back in the same pot. That way you would have at least two breaks from ground level and your new cutting, which would add up to a fuller plant sooner. (I'm more inclined to be patient and let them fill out themselves, but I recognize that sometimes we need a fuller plant sooner.)

Hi! I'm not an expert on begonias or anything but I'd really suggest rooting them in soil. I tried to root begonias in water and they all rotted. I tried cuttings from the same plant in soil and 4 out of 5 started rooting overnight. The last one took 2 days. I also just recieved about a dozen begonia cuttings in trade and put them in soil. Over half began rooting overnight and the others have all started now and it has been since thurs. If you find that your cutting starts to wilt just put a clear plastic bag over for a 'greenhouse' effect and it should perk right up. ;) Michelle

Begonias are probably best propagated via leaf cuttings and there are several ways to do it. Just remember that the genetic information required to create new roots and shoots occurs in those veins. Secure your leaf against the damp (already prepared) medium so that there is full leaf to medium contact. THEN make your slices. The surface of the medium needs to be firm (but not tamped down) and smooth. You can also cut your leaf into several sections and simply lay those down against your prepared medium or insert them into the medium. My favorite (just because it was so amazing) experience occurred when I was working my way through Va. Tech; one of my part time jobs was in a commercial greenhouse, transplanting jillions of bedding plant seedlings and doing other propagation chores. One morning I walked in and saw a tall stack of gorgeous begonia leaves and several prepared flats of soil-less medium. OH, and a paper punch. I forget, now, how many little discs I was able to punch from each leaf but it was a bunch! By the time my work for the season was finished, he had many hundreds of pretty little begonia plants, potted up in crisp white pots. I'm not so sure that this is the best time of years for a rapid response from your efforts, though. Spring is ideal. You are correct about your conclusion that your begonia can't make new plants from a petiole cutting. New roots will form, but that's it. Petioles are often used as the anchor to hold a leaf in place against the propagating medium.