My message seems to have slipped by unnoticed, but I could really use some advice before I start trimming back my unknown begonia. I would love to know if that's what I should really be doing with him . . . Here's a link to my post ( http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/821993/ )
Thanks
Deb
Help, please . . .
Hi Deb,
It's not that your previous post went unnoticed, it's probably because no one knew exactly what it is and didn't want to give you a wrong answer. It does resemble 'Morocco' or 'Orococo' somewhat but the leaves look smaller and not quite the shape of those two. GHW is famous for sending the wrong thing whether it is by fault or ignorance. They usually send freebies and/or bonuses (what's the difference between these two terms?) to appease the buyer. Usually they do send some nice substitutes but they should let the buyer know what they are actually getting.
It should be very easy to propagate by trimming any leggy ends. Stem or rhizome cuttings seem a lot easier to start than leaf cuttings but you could try both when you trim any lower leaves. Here is what I did to start some new 'Art Hodes' cuttings recently. I used shredded bark but you could use any well draining media (Perlite is excellent and coarse sand does well too). I put mine in a lettuce container from the grocery store with small slits in the corners to drain any excess water. I then used another container (inverted) to serve as a humidity dome.
Here is a picture of my 'Art Hodes' cuttings:
Thank you so much-whatever he is, I didn't want to do the wrong thing. I have some perlite and will pick up some rooting hormone and then cut him back-hopefully he will "bush out" a little more this summer. I think I need to give him more humidity next winter (assuming he survives his "haircut").
Thanks again!
Deb
He (or she) will survive a haircut (it might actually stimulate it grow even more). It's never too late to throw some kind of cover over it. I have not had to cover Morocco, Boomer, or Art Hodes in my basement but a lot of other begonias I do have to cover them. Do cover cuttings until they root though.
You can use cake covers (high domes from sponge cakes or very large cakes work great) or party bowls (you can buy them on line or at a Party City). Here is a picture of what I am talking about.
What a great idea to use the cake covers-I'll check for them the next time I'm near a party place (maybe tomorrow . . .)