Mid-Atlantic Gardening: Show me your containers, 0 by Gitagal

Gitagal wrote:
jen---

I presume that AWB is the one I gave you at Hollie's? Pretty foliage--NO?

I have a suggestion--as it is still early in the season....

Cut off the leafy tops, about 5'-6" long, or so, and root them either in water or right into a pot with potting mix. You may want to remove a couple of the bottom leaves to expose some leaf- "nubs" for the roots to come from--it is OK. These root easily...
I have also noticed that many of the cuttings root straight out of the bottom of the cut stem--never mind the "nubs"....

Remove any unnecessary lengths of the remaining stems leaving short stems above the soil level--but make sure there are some "eyes" left on the stems for new stems and leaves to grow from.
There is enough season left for the bottoms to sprout new tops and then you can pot all of the rooted cuttings AND the new-growth bottom into, say--an 8" pot and by the time you bring it in for the winter--you will have a nice, bushy plant. Repeat this in the late Spring as needed.....

Do not be afraid! I have done this procedure for at least 25 or more years--always cutting back and rooting the tops to make more plants to share. Always cutting down the bare stems and allowing the "Mama" to re-grow. ALL from the original plant!!! ...whenever it was that I first got it.....

I usually do this in the early Summer--as i am about to put it outside, but you do not want to waste the time NOW allowing the plant to grow tall and leggy at this time...Just get the snips out and DO IT!!!

These stems can grow to 3' or more if you never cut them back. The Begonia is just NOT all that attractive with all these bare stems and only leaves at the top--as would be the result. You want bushy! Every Summer!

Gita