Can begonia's be rooted in water? I have a friend who swears you can. I want to root some cuttings, but don't know how, I really would appreciate the help.
Thanks
How do I propagate begonias
You should find just about all the info you need here http://www.bradsbegoniaworld.com/
Also try http://www.begonias.org
The simple answer is yes, you can root cuttings in water. But there are many ways to root begonias.
Begonia propagation is very easy in water. Treat leaves like African Violets. Canes can be propagated with this method very easily - roots in a week or two.
Cover with a plastic bag and wait for roots and place under lights (or a shady area if outdoors). I've had nearly 100% success with this method opposed to any other.
Will they root just as easily if you just cut it and powder with rooting hormones and place in miracle grow soil?
With cane begonia, I just stick cuttings in water in the kitchen....................no zip lock or anything............get roots quickly................
I have been rooting some other begonias by leaf and it is fun..............'Whirpool' is my next adventure............
Anaid,
There is only one way to find out and that is to experiment. Most folks don't need rooting hormone with begonias but it doesn't hurt either. The biggest thing is humidity and gettng the right moisture in the potting soil. I have used potting soil, potting soil with Perlite, Perlite only, sand only, Nature's Helper (bark mix), gravel, florist's foam (wet type) known as Oasis, etc. I've had a mixture of results. Some begonias are so easy that they will root in gravel (Joe Hayden is so easy that I rooted a couple of leaves in granite gravel and pea gravel just as an experiment).
Personally the best I have found to date is water rooting with a humidity cover but whatever floats your boat is the way to go. When I hear of a method that is fool proof and also works for me then I will switch. Anyway good luck and let us know how it goes.
Im game when it comes to experimenting so I will try the water one and keep ya'll posted
I tried leaf cutting http://davesgarden.com/guides/terms/showimage.php?did=2663&tid=533 with some success. Just slice and dice and get many more plants.
It is the same way with chirita, streptocarpus, etc......................you have more growing points if you slice across the leaf........i always use a soil-less mix with twice as much perlite mixed with it plus some vermiculite..........and always always a dome for humidity.............