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Plant Propagation

Can I propagate from this leaf?

15 years ago

I accidently broke a good sized leaf off of a salmon begonia as I was potting it up into a large container with other plants today. Can I just put it in a glass of water and have it grow roots that way? Or do I need to use a rooting hormone and put it in a potting mixture? I know this is probably a dumb, newbie question, but I've never done it, I've only got one leaf to practice on, and was hoping to learn the proper technique. Then I can propagate more begonias in the fall and over-winter them! Many Thanks! MacThayer

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Comments (4)

kayjones
15 years ago
Several species of Begonia leaves will root in water, but not the annual wax Begonia. Do you know which one you have? Is it a tuberous Begonia?
macthayer
Original Author
15 years ago
Hi. Thanks for posting. Yes, it is a tuberous Begonia.
MacThayer
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I think that she's saying ... about planting a leaf to propagate ... Cut the stem at about an inch long. This is something I had to learn as earlier I would leave the stem longer. Cutting the stem shorter means that the developing plantlets won't have as far to grow to break through the soil to the light. And as for cutting off a portion of the leaf itself ... supposedly that signals the leaf to put all of its energy into growing plantlets, rather than growing the leaf itself. This is not something I have personally tried, but some swear by it. You're beyond that point now. I agree with Irina ... cut the mother leaf off (and discard) soon. It has done its job already for you.
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kayjones
15 years ago
Tuberous begonias grow easily from stem or leaf cuttings. Young growth works best and cuttings should be taken early in the year.

The plant grown from the cutting needs time to grow itÂs own tuber before it goes dormant the next fall, so the earlier the better. Tuberous begonias donÂt root well in water, except for the smaller stemmed types like the caudex forming types and B. sutherlandii.

Most tuberous stem cuttings will start directly in potting mix (I prefer sand). They may look wilted initially but most will eventually root and recover.

ItÂs best to keep them in shade until they have rooted. Leaf cuttings should be started as you would rhizomatous begonias.
medontdo
15 years ago
i do my cuttings like that in a soda bottle, and they do great!! leave the lid off though, uhhh the first time i didn't and mold like you wouldn't believe!! LOL

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