I received a bunch of cane begonia cuttings in the mail a few weeks ago. I didn't really know what to do with them, so I put them in water to root. They are finally sending out very fine roots. Should I now plant them into pots? If so, what kind of soil? I have a few cuttings of four different ones. Should I pot them into each individul pots, or can I put a couple of cuttings into one pot. I've never grown begonias before, other than the little bedding begonia and they get replaced every year. I know if I plant them, I'll have to bring them in if it gets below 50 degrees, or cover them up. I was just concerned about this time of year to propogate cuttings. Any help will be most appreciated.
Eileen
Have cane begonia cuttings rooting in water-Now what?
Keep them in a warm location for the winter. You can keep them in water if you aren't in a hurry or put them in small pots to begin with. Use a quality potting mix with slow release fertilizer if you can. Water well and then don't water again until the soil is dry on top or the leaves wilt (constantly wet soil will set up rot). Keep in bright light and they should fill the pot in no time. Move up to bigger pots as needed.
Thanks for the info. I'll get them into pot tomorrow. Our temps are still mild and if it drops I can always bring them inside for a few days.
Most canes will also root very well directly in mix. Bottom heat will significantly speed up the rooting.
Cane's really are a "cut and poke" at least in my experience. I don't let them get to the point of wilting, but I have a few in pots that have taken an incredible amount of abuse, simply cause I haven't had time to get to them. They haven't bloomed but they haven't died either !! Your farther south than me, I used to live in Palm Bay, so unless we get really chilly weather they should be fine. If you pamper them you'll have beautiful plants come spring, if you forget unless there is a freeze you'll still have plants, just not so nice.
Went to check on them this morning. They are outside in the morning sun. One pot has two blooming canes. WppHoo!!
Wonderful, Eileen!! Which ones are blooming? I suppose it is Lucerna, since the canes had bloom spikes. I have left Lucerna cuttings in water on a windowsill for the whole winter. In spring the vase was filled with roots.
I pot my begonias in promix and water with Superthrive and Morebloom. This is like magic in the summer. Flower color just pops.
I have brought the plants inside because we have gone down to the upper 20s at night. I would leave them outside if it was no colder than 45. We have too many to keep hauling them in and out.
Johanna
Your'e right. It's Lucerna. All the pots are doing great. The leaves are nice and crisp and firm. Come spring, I have the perfect place for them. Right now they are outside, in back on the patio. They get morning sun until around noon. I have them there because I can keep my eyes on them. I don't want thems to dry out. I've been lucky because our temps are mild yet, and we've been gettijng light rain every couple of days in the night.
Personally, I always thought that cane begonias were shade plants. This past summer proved me wrong. They bloom best if given some direct sun and bright shade the rest of the day. And love the fall temps.
I also have Eldora--a cane that is similar to Lucerna. The leaves are almost identical but Eldora's canes branch while Lucerna's grow straight up from the soil. If Lucerna is cut in the middle of a cane, this produces a new branch that grows horizonally---ruins the shape of the plant. So cut it at the soil line. Eldora is new to me. The flowers are white. Next summer I will know if it blooms as well as Lucerna.
Keep me posted!
Johanna
checked them this afternoon and WOOHOO thay all have flowers or buds. Just awesome
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Johanna,
I think you are right. I have some in the ground and some in pots, and they seem at least for me to bloom better if they get more sun. The ones in the ground getting more shade have beautiful foliage and big fat canes.....nary a bloom in site. The ones in pots, getting more sun, neglected to beat the band, are blooming............go figure.
You realize that I cried as I cut off those bloom spikes! It is great that someone saw them bloom! Lucerna was 3 1/2 ft tall-- too large to fit on the lighted shelf . I'm hoping that they put out more spikes inside. Maybe Superthrive will work as well under lights.
Will the cuttings be able to stay in the ground all winter?
Some canes will bloom in shade (Lana comes to mind) but most require some sun to bloom reliably well.
Silvermist blooms well with some sun but I never saw it bloom when I had it in a shady spot. The leaves were prettier in shade though. Here it is when it was in a shadier spot.
Oh, those leaves are so pretty. I'll have to look for that one.
Silvermist in sun with blooms. Leaves are thicker, but lost a lot of their silver splashes, and are as deep green as it was in a shadier location.
hcmcdole,
The begonia leaves with white markings are beautiful, but they seem to get brown edges easily. Any suggestions to prevent this? I think I lost silver mist because of this. It is so difficult to prevent water from getting on the leaves since I have so many pots!
Johanna
Imadigger,
How are your begonias doing?
Where are you keeping them when they get brown edges? Inside or outside?
Sounds like low humidity
flicker, my begonia are doing great, blooming crazy. They look so pretty. Right now for the past two days they are under blanket to keep warm. They are outside. We had two nights of 32, and 36 degrees at night. Tomorrow the blankets come off. Come spring, I'll be looking for more. LOL
Eileen
hcmcdole,
I grow my begionias on an open back porch where they get some direct sun, and very good air movement. Those on the edge of the porch get a little rain if the storm is strong. I do water with a hose sometimes. Other times with a watering can and fertilizer. Occassionally the pots do dry out... but not for long.
Eileen, I will be looking for a few newer varieties next spring, too. I would love Good'N'Plenty and Jumbo Jet.