Propagating Begonia Dragon Wing & Bayou

18 years ago

I have some beautiful Dragon Wing begonias this year (I believe that's what they are called. They are the type that are sold in nurseries as "annuals"). I also have some Begonia Bayou Scarlet that I grew from seeds (from Park seeds) - they are doing just awesome (quite the surprise for me).

Can I propagate these 2 type of plants from leaf or stem cuttings? What's the best way to do so? Also, can I bring the cuttings in the house for the winter and then bring them back out in the spring/summer? (Basically, I'm trying preserve the plants so I can have more next year without starting from seed).

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Comments (5)

paulinep
18 years ago
I propagate Dragon Wing Begonias just like I do with my impatiens---pinch and poke method Here is a picture of my gate planters with some I have propagated, and below is my album site of my pinch and poke method which works well with dragon wing begonia also. Some of the ones I have were propagated from plant I moved into garage last year. They are very easy to propagate.
Pauline
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Here is a link that might be useful: Pinch & Poke Propagatin
dkotchey
Original Author
18 years ago
Pauline - Can I please move into your yard? Your gardens are just great. Your pictures are wonderful. I took a peek at your other photobucket albums.

I'm going to try your pinch and poke method. Do you (or anyone else) have any suggestions on how to over winter the Dragon wings? Should I bring them into the garage to allow them to go dormant. Or can I bring them in the house?
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I've grown Begonia semperflorens-cultorum several times. I've not found them to be a challenge, but I know that my "system " is different from others. If you can find pelleted seeds, it will make the job much easier. Begonia seeds are eensy weensy. I also strongly recommend a two step method : 1) seed germination in a regular, bagged potting medium using bottom heat. 2) transplanting the tiny seedlings into individual containers for growing on.....no bottom heat and using a very porous medium. I use cell pack inserts and plastic flats. (18s and 32s) Don't forget that begonias need light in order to germinate. That means you'll need to spray your seeds into the mix with a fogging nozzle or plant mister. Do NOT use those awful peat pellets. A regular potting mix such as Jiffy or Pro Mix is fine for germinating. Those super-fine germination medis are too fine Keep the bottom heat on until all seeds are up, then unplug it. That's one very good reason to germinate the seeds in one flat. You can sow hundreds of seeds (depending on the variety) in one flat! That's pretty easy to heat. For my personal needs, I would use two or three seedling flats, which I would transplant into cell packs as soon as the seedlings can be handled. Two or three germination flats translate into several hundred plants, easily handled in their reusable plastic inserts and flats. Once transplanted into the coarser mix, the plants grow like gangbusters. Be prepared to begin a fertilization routine.
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Bougie, There are plenty of places to get most of the ones you list above. Some you might find locally - check from spring until fall at local nurseries (especially the ones that carry begonias) and the big box stores - you never know if and when a shipment might come in with a few begonias. I've picked begonias up at Walmart, Home Depot, and Lowe's. My local Ace Hardware was one of the best places I ever picked up begonias but they went out of business twice now (different owners). I cited several mail order places in another thread on this forum. My recent purchases were from Accents for Home and Garden, Taylor Greenhouses, and Logees. Prices vary but if only one vendor carries the plant you want then you can either pass it by or pay up. Most plants will be on the small side when buying mail order so treat your new plants like babies when you get them until they get some size on them. Come to a convention if you can manage. It is an expensive way to get plants when you add in transportation, lodging, meals, registration but it can be fun and you will have a ton of begonias to choose from at very reasonable prices (cheap prices really). This year's convention is at the end of this month and is in West Palm Beach, FL. It sounds like there will be over 100 different varieties to choose from plus one trip is to Palm Hammock Orchid Estates which is a regular smorgasbord for begonias.
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Congrats! What you have is a cane begonia, also called angel wing begonia. There are a couple specific plants in this group called Dragon Wing (more leathery leaves without spots and not so serrated or ruffled) but you can refer to all of them as 'cane' or 'angel wing'. They are wonderful plants and you should definitely repot yours. It won't survive outside in zone 8 unless you give it lots of extra protection so either pot it up or grow it as an annual. You'll like it as a patio or house plant though because it is so pretty with all the spots that it's attractive all year long. Some of them bloom throughout the winter too if you make sure it has lots of light. It won't like direct sun - at least not for very long each day - but put it close to a window so it gets bright light. Most of them grow best with fairly moist soil. If it dries out, it will wilt quickly, telling you it needs watering. It's easy to propagate by taking cuttings of the stems. Either put them directly into moist potting soil or start them in a glass of water. I have a couple canes that broke off, were stuck in water, and are now large and blooming - still rooting in water! Hope that helps! If you want to see a couple pictures of cane begonias in bloom, check out the link below to a posting I made earlier today. Kate Here is a link that might be useful: Florida Forum - Kate's cane begonia pictures
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LOL, CR! I used to do that until I discovered it doesn't always kill them. We got this cool zapper thing that looks like a tennis racket. It doesn't smush them, it fries them. They almost always 'stick' to the thing from the electricity unless/until you let go of the button. Then you can dump outside or give 'em a flush. It's really cool, handy & doesn't make a mess like smushing. Not so great for flies but I wouldn't be without one in this old house. What I keep bringing inside (accidentally, hanging out on plants) is anoles. ...and DH keeps putting them back outside. I also scooped all of the Begonias I had in the ground up, into pots, wax, NOID canes, DW, AW. I haven't had any trouble with the ones I've tried so far dying, so why not try the others? I just wedged them into pots wherever there was room. Nothing lost but a little time if any don't make it. I'm optimistic - as long as these cursed clouds go away, it's usually sunny! Did the same thing with a few Impatiens that weren't trampled by dogs too. Those I brought in last winter kept blooming.
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paulinep
18 years ago
Dkotchey, Glad you enjoyed my pictures and my other albums. I drag lots of plants into the garage and sometimes neglect them, barely keeping them alive until I can drag them back out. Fortunately, our winters here are relatively short. I think you could try bringing the dragon wings into the house and if it isn't too hot they should do fine. By the time I bring them out in the spring, they look pretty awful, but just pinching and poking seems to wake them up and off they go again. I do same with some impatiens. I do know they will grow fairly well inside the home as well, as long as they don't get too dry and hot.
I love the way the impatiens reseed here. I get a fresh crop each year.
Keep checking out my photos, I often add new albums, etc., when I need to share.
Pauline
Motezuma
18 years ago
Pauline, I love that flowing stuff on the right side of the gate. What is it?

Dkotchey, I keep angelwings in the house over the winter. Just put them in a corner by the window and they'll be fine. Pinch 'n Poke em indoors if they get straggly, or just cut them back.

-Mo (WV)
paulinep
18 years ago
Mo, that plant is Bacopa and I must water it daily --good thing the begonias like the extra water too. Once Bacopa gets dry, it is gone.
Pauline

Propagating Begonia Dragon Wing & Bayou

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Propagating Begonia Dragon Wing & Bayou

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