I started a rex begonia from a leaf. I was so surprised when it grew. I guess a lot of you all have done this before but it was a first for me.
I surprised myself
High Five there makshi! Way to go. It's like AV's once you're hooked there's no looking back! Say, how are those AV leaves I sent you doing?
Susan, it's probably that old adage 'A watched pot never boils' As soon as you stop paying attention, you'll go have a look and see roots and babies forming. I must admit though, I stuck some b. poponoei leaves in a bucket of soil a few weeks ago and being the impatient type, yesterday I dumped out the soil so I could have a looksee - and lo and behold there were not only roots but new babies forming! Woo hoo!
I was told at the begonia show on Saturday that once you see about an inch of water roots, that's the time to transfer to a well draining potting mix in a small pot (like a dixie cup size) then slowly transfer it to the next size pot etc.
Since I don't root in water, I can't say for sure, but it's worth looking into. Butch, do you root in water?
I started rooting in water recently since the couple in our local chapter have so much luck propagating this way. Canes are very easy this way although sticking them is fairly easy, too.
For rhizomatous I finally got 'Martin's Mystery' to prop this way (water rooting seems to be the only way for this begonia although I tried sticking them many times only to have them rot).
I have several leaves that have rooted this way ('Plum Gorgeous' for example was a lot quicker than sticking it in a loose soil-less mix).
For semi-upright jointed (whatever you call them), I have found that they prop readily without soil and water as long as the environment is humid. I have two 'Don Castletine' plants started by leaves now - one in damp sand and the other believe it or not is laying on top of a gravel bed (that I use for humidity). Both of these environments are in aluminum serving dishes with a high top humidity dome. The new leaflets came on in a couple of weeks.
I would recommend prop'ing some rhizomatous by the rhizomes themselves (beefsteak for example) is a lot easier and faster this way than by leaf. I started one beefsteak by leaf which rooted but did not pup for months. Yet by rhizome cutting, I had a good size plant in a couple of months. Some leaves just take forever it seems like. But then some rexes can have pups up in a couple of weeks if conditions are right.
What fun Makshi. I too have been starting new begonias by leaves. I do not even want new ones but I find it fascinating how I am getting those little babies come up. Too cute. Yesterday I put up about 10 different ones.
PS
Oh Lali I LOVE b. poponoei.
Sticking is inserting the stem of the leaf or the cane (think about "sticking" rose or azalea or conifer cuttings for example) into the potting medium. You can insert it up to the (rhizome begonia) leaf or just insert the stem (petiole) halfway in which helps keep the leaf from contacting the soil which can lead to rot. I'm sure you can find all kinds of advice on what works and what doesn't. Laurie has switched to 100% perlite (correct me if I am wrong) for "sticking" her cuttings.
I've never had luck with cutting across major veins on a leaf and laying it flat on the medium and getting several plantlets out of each cut, but others have. I find it easier to prop by keeping the leaf straight up or at an angle to keep it from contacting the soil.
I would experiment with what you glean from other posts, books, and hopefully some local enthusiasts. I strongly encourage creating a humidity chamber which can be as simple as a clear lid over a tray. You can also buy high dome lids on-line which gives you a bit more growing room.
As far as a beefsteak growing all to one side, it sounds like you have only one rhizome so far. Mutliple rhizomes will help in making the plant look more even which will eventually happen if you keep the plant happy and growing. If you already have mutliple rhizomes it sounds like the plant needs turning. Keep the barest side to the strongest light and let the plant start filling in on the weak side (it'll look funny to begin with but it should fill in if you give it time). Then rotate the pot every few days by 1/3 turn or thereabouts.
Begon, The leaves have rooted and have babies and a lot of them went to new homes because I didn't have room for duplicates. I lost very few leaves.
I started the begonia in dirt just like I did the AV leaves.
I use a plastic bag for doing my GH for propagation. I use them on everything. They make it so easy for you do not have to water for days and days until it is time to take them out. I do wet the inside of the bag and drain to increase humidity before I ut teh pot in it. I have just been using a soil mix and so far so good. This has been in the bag for a few weeks now and I notice the mother leaf is rotted and already gone. I probably shoudl take this one out now.
There bags are great for starting seed too. I have started many a brug seed in them. I close them with that gardeners velcro, makes it so easy and is reusable.
Kell,
Love that variegated clivia.
As for plastic bags, they are quick and inexpensive and make great temporary hot houses.
Also you can save the plastic containers (berries and other produce are usually sold this way) from the grocery stores for humidity domes. I just wish the labels were easy to remove.
I am a sucker for variegated clivia, Butch. I hope to have some of my very own seeds ripen soon, all variegated. When you went on your travels I bet you saw some great ones. Asian countries take them very seriously and have just gorgeous ones.
I just found a container of green clivia seeds yesterday all germinated. I had forgotten all about them. That is why I love plastic bags, it is a baby sitter and keeps spores and germs out.
No orchid, sadly! LOL. The one in the back is a rubber tree plant, the pink variety. But I need to move it up for it dries in a day and I am killing it.
But those brugs are hot euro brugs there. LOL. Double pinks too. I am a lucky girl. LOL