My parents came down yesterday and brought cuttings - boy did they :-) What would you suggest I do with this thing? Do I cut off parts of the stem to see if they will root or the plant the whole thing, and would you suggest just plain perlite or what?
Another view...
Do you know the name or that one?I have it and don't know what it's called..Do you know how your mom grows such healthy plants,such as soil,feeding,pots and soil???TIA..
Loretta..
Wow, Go ahead and tell your parents to come and visit me!!! That is great!! I am not an expert but you probably could do either one. If you want just one large plant, plant the whole thing. If you would like a couple of plants, I would seperate the rhizome or tuber( im still learning so, I am not sure exactly what type of begonia this is) into several sections and start them as seperate plants. I would seperate, that is a good size cutting and if you were to seperate it probably would be no time before you had several nice sized plants. Like I said I am new at this and am sure some of the more experienced growers will follow with good advice. As for soil, I have started using a soil that is peatmoss, perlite, and vermiculite, one part each. Most everyone on here uses something different. Some with bark, sand etc. I think the key is to just make sure you have a soil that drains well. I don't know about using just perlite? A more experienced grower on the forum, begoniacrazii, suggested to me, propagating from leaf cuttings in 100% perlite but Im not sure if you can plant in 100% perlite. That is a great cutting thought, it will make a beautiful plant either way you decide to plant it.
~ Kristi
I usually use about 60% perlite and 40% potting soil that has no additives in it, but didn't know if that would be too heavy to root in. I already have one of these that is pretty good sized and blooming, so don't mind experimenting some. I have no idea what the name of it is - Mom has had it for years. Her begonias are in their sunroom. I do know that she fills gallon jugs of water and lets them sit out for several days before watering so the chemicals dissipate. Have no idea what fertilizer she uses, if any. I'll ask Dad to take some pictures. Her begonias are huge, and her african violets are gorgeous.
Kristi is right, you could lay it on the top of the soil as is, or break it apart. It seems somewhat contorted and I might be inclined to break it so that several pieces could go in a shallow pan pot or something similar.
Hard to tell who it is with out seeing both the back and front (and flowers)
take a look at palm hammock's site to see if you see it there.
You are so lucky. Your parents can come to my home to. Plant that baby up !
PS I have something like that growing in my yard but hard to tell to me so many look alike.
Allison, the one I have blooming looks very different from yours. Will try to post a picture of it tomorrow. I think since I already have one I am going to experiment some and break off pieces just to see what happens.
They also brought the old time beefsteak (which I already have one of and am attaching a pic since it is blooming) and a curly leafed beefsteak. Strangely enough, one of the cuttings has both a plain edged and a curly edged leaf on it.
