I have (I think a My Special Angel) begonia that is in water - starting to root - is ther anything special I need to do when I put it in soil? I would hate to lose these leaves as they are so gorgeous, and I understand Begonias don't come true from seed. Thanks for any help!
Cynthia
Another photo of the leaf - isn't it gorgeous?
This cane begonia looks similar to Lucerna (I have had it since the early 70's so it is an easy one to propagate). Water rooting or just inserting in a quality potting mix will usually get cane begonias to root easily.
I wouldn't worry about losing leaves while rooting but if the stem starts to turn brown then you have a problem. When roots appear it is usually safe to pot it up. Place it in a warm bright area and once it settles in it should start throwing out new leaves and eventually new shoots from the soil. Fertilize if actively growing (use slow release or weak water soluble fertilizer). Let the soil dry some between watering indoors else it will lead to rot.
I will do so, hcmcdole! Thanks for the advice. I'll look up Lucerna and see if that's what it could be. It has a slight tinge of burgundy under each leaf, but very speckled on top like my special angel. I bought some new potting soil (stored inside at the nursery) and will keep it in a warm spot once it's in dirt. Thanks for the good advice!!! Cynthia
I hope you won't be planting it in "dirt". It will survive but it would do better in some quality potting mix.
Yes, Lucerna has a slight red tinge on the underside.
My Special Angel is fairly distinct with long thin leaves and big polka dots. Here is one of mine.
Nope, I am new and still call all soil "dirt" - just a habit I haven't broken, LOL. I purchased some quality soil at the nursery for her.
I do think you are right, My Special Angel leaves look more narrow than mine so once I send this, will research Lucerna. Yours is absolutely gorgeous - where do you buy begonias like this? I am a true newbie so am learning as I go - and asking a lot of questions!!!
I purchase them locally if I can find them, mail order including eBay, ABS conventions are usually the best ways to obtain lots of different varieties at low prices (but the hotel, travel, etc. is not exactly cheap), trading, and through the local chapter of the ABS.
My oldest cane (Lucerna) is in this photo. It has not bloomed in a number of years because I neglect it but it keeps hanging around. Very tough.
That is a beautiful garden - love the Lucerna in it - are those a type of elephant ears? Very nice - I can't wait to plant some EE next spring outside. Had some inside but they are really icky and puny, don't think they are gonna make it.
Cynthia if you will watch the co-op forum you can get some good buy through those. Go look at that forum and see all the different coops that have been done in the past. I have many flowers that have been purchased through them. Good luck. Elaine
Thanks Elaine! I will do that - great idea! I put the Lucerna in soil today and it's in a small greenhouse I just bought - with a light on it for some warmth and next to a large window - now we'll see how she does! Wish me luck! Cynthia
Oh wow, that leaf is beautiful. Where did you get yours? I would love to get my hands on a cutting of that. I tried other begonia that i clipped a piece of from a gas station, and it rooted in water very easily. It's now growing on my sunny windosil.
I got it from a friend who just cut her plant down to root for a more full plant. I have been cutting mine also and rooting them to fill it out. I am hoping this spring the local nurseries will have some cane begonias.
i don't know what i'm doing wrong,i'm trying to root a varigated begonia (charm)and lacoochee.i put them in water and the stem rots,i put it in perlite and it rots.any suggestions?
I had the same begonia but it was called Angel Wing Begonia. The only suggestion I can make when rooting cuttings in water is that the root are diffrent type than when rooted in something solid. For that reason, I always placed a newly potted cutting in a plastic bag, leaving the top open. The plant have to form new roots in the soil before it can grow on its own without wilting.
I do likewise with very type of cutting, whatever the variety of plant.
Angel Wing is a common name for a lot of cane begonias. Lucerna was given to us with the name Angel Wing begonia for example. After you have a few different Angel Wing begonias you start to wonder about the real names.
Lil, if you are trying to prop 'Charm' you need to make sure the stem is long enough (a few nodes) and cut the bottom leaves off like any cutting. If you are rooting in water or potting mix, put a humidity cover over the container. Water once if using perlite or potting mix (perlite would be best for rooting) and make sure that you have drainage holes. Put a cover over the cuttings and place under lights or on a windowsill. You should see roots in two weeks or less. If you water root keep them covered as well - this keeps the water from souring and the increased humidity makes them root faster.
Begonias will grow in water like a lot of plants will - hydroponics is not a new technique.
I've had begonia leaves and canes in water for weeks (months) and rarely have to add water. It doesn't work all the time but neither does rooting in perlite or potting mix. I just potted up several B. foliosa cuttings that have been in water for several weeks (I received them in a small pill bottle late Feb from one of our club members that had already rooted them in water).
I've got two cuttings from Singapore that have been sitting in a jelly jar on my windowsill since Nov 20 last year. I've added water maybe two times. I put a baggie over the top just to keep the water from turning and to minimize evaporation. One of these days I will pot those two up.
Lil, here is a tray of begonias I prop'ed a couple of years ago with 'Charm' in there. Your problems may be time of year too. You might wait until the plant is growing actively, healthy, and bushy.
thank u dole,well it is a little bushy,but yes i'm going to wait until it is much bigger.i do have the cuttings in perlite and under lite in a terrarium,so what the deal is ,i have no idea.but i haven't given up on them completely,as long as there are some green then all is not lost.they have not all rotted.
that looks like the charm i have and i don't consider that a cane type.to me it is fibrous.
Yes 'Charm' is not a cane - it is a semperflorens type. Canes can be considered fibrous rooted as well.
there is new growth on the lacoochee,but i'm not sure if it has roots yet,i'm a little afriad to look.the charm cutting is still holding on.i hope -ihope
well charm and lacoochee bit the dust and they were in perlite,in a terriruim(miss spelled)and all were under the lite.
today i noticed on northern lights there was a long root type with leaves on them(there were 2) with roots,so i cut those off and potted them up and yes all my rexes are in the terr.with lights.
i found a little green house at earl mays that i'm going to get next week.that way i will have room for all i want to do next winter.lol
the miami storm is making and appearance and curly fireflush has one new leaf.. what ever i'm doing must be ok as they are still living.
this is a pic.of northern lights that i cut off and planted
