how to propagate a cane begonia

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pelephant Phillipsburg, NJ Jul 29, 2010

I have a Lana, cane begonia. I want to cut it and start a new plant. I'm scared! She seems so touchy! Can anyone guide me?

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jasminesmom Saugerties, NY(Zone 5a) Jul 31, 2010

Stem tip cuttings in perlite & seed starting mix is the way I would go.

Christine

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Gitagal Baltimore, MD(Zone 7a) Aug 11, 2010

pelephant--

Fear not! I have had an "Angel Wing (aka cane) Begonia for almost 25 years....NOT the same one--mind you!

I allow it to grow outside during the Summer and bloom....When it comes time to bring it inside for the Winter--I do--and keep it in a bright room near a window....Water now and then--but it will be, mostly in a semi-dormant state....

It will drop most of it's leaves----and that is normal. It will also continue growing taller and taller--even thought the stems will be almost bare--except for the growing tips. Still OK! This is normal too....

I, personally, do not like this Begonia to be all lanky, leggy with it's canes all over the place, so--when it is time to put it back outside, I cut off about 7" of all the growing tops and remove most of the leaves and put them all in a vase of water to root. They WILL--fairly quickly.....

Meanwhile--cut back the remaining canes almost to the dirt level. Look for WHERE to cut--as you will see "eyes" on the stems....Cut just above these....Discard the bare canes.

The bottom of the Mama plant will re-grow nicely--and the rooted tips will make a couple of new plants. Pot about 3 of the tips per 6" pot. Vila!!! Now you have one BIG plant and several smaller ones to share with friends....

Repeat this process every year--and you will have this plant forever!
About every 3 years--remove the mama plant from her bog pot and sort through all the roots in it and re-pot it..
Keep the better, fleshy ones--and discard the other, dried-up older ones. Pot them up in fresh potting mix....
Step back--when you do this--your begonia will amaze you that year!!!!

Fear not! This is one tough plant!

Like this! Gita

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