Information rich, clear presentation, and ADHD-compatible. 🙃 I really appreciated the systematic study approach and follow-up efficacy assessment - both well suited to this topic. An excellent pair of videos, IMHO!! I saved them to my plant archive playlist for easy reference.
The leaf / stalk method works with begonias that you can leaf propagate. Cane begonias usually need to be propagated from a node. The rex, rhizomatous etc begonias are the ones that can be propped from a leaf only. So the thing of never getting a plant from a petiole prop would only apply to canes that can't be propped that way. However, always worth a try, sometimes canes will prop from a leaf, amphioxus will! I prop begonias in a clear plastic box on a heat mat with damp sphag and have very high success rates :) :) :)
I often use the water method and have really great success. I also work at a horticulture college and the students learn the flat leaf method. It’s really interesting to see which varieties perform best. We definitely have better results with the thicker leaves.
Yeah I think whatever method people choose - they're very accommodating - although quite slow. Personally I'd just use stem tip cuttings where possible, as you skip a stage if you pot straight into media. And can't go wrong dividing rhizomes. Probably the biggest lesson is patience - as the ones in the video are nearly 4 months old! (By the way, I've been looking at online RHS level 2 courses but struggling to find anything virtual. You wouldn't be in the know about any of this stuff would you?? 😀)
But I would bet you don't leave the same water in the container for 3 months. I use water prop, too. I have been very successful with that method for almost* all plant types. Changing the water out every few days is vital, though, as the fresh water provides the little plant with much needed oxygen. Otherwise, you end up with a murky skunky cup of pond water with rotted, slimy stems. Overall, this was an informative video, though, and I learned some new things. ❤
Well yeah exactly. I wasn’t on top of it as much as I would have liked. Life gets in the way sometimes. I’m just not a water propagator but I realise some people prefer that method.
@Grow_Up_Man55 Thanks for the reply. I get it. Believe me when I say the casualties feel endless if I'm gone, too tired, sick. It's a labour of love, though. No matter which method you use. And anyone who gets excited about seeing new roots pushing through is a good person in my book. Thanks for putting yourself out there by making videos and sharing your experiments and experiences. You're braver than I could ever hope to be. As a side note: I love your grow space. Personal goal for me to attain that in life. Your callisia repens (sp?) is perfect in every single way ❤️
For the water method, I usually put the cutting in a glass on the kitchen window sill. It usually only takes a couple of weeks to propagate. When there's noticeable roots I pot the cuttings up. Usually a few cuttings to a pot. I tend to do that for cane Bergonias. I have generations of Bergonias that way. My Mum and Grandmother used to do the same. I still have some that they potted up.
I have started 2 Rex begonia "bolero" in water so far and both produced roots pretty quickly. They start growing roots and leaves near the stem base BUT! Right at the bottom of the leaf itself it starts growing new little leaves. It works very well. I do need to try the flat leaf method next, that seems to also work very well. Good experiment Geoff! Well done!
Cheers Tommy - I must admit, I've totally neglected them as I didn't need more of the same plant. Was interesting to see how they worked though - I guess all methods work to some degree with variations among different plants. Fun to do and a great way of keeping stock for gifts and so on. I'll be quiet again for a couple of weeks now - off to sunnier climes...🏖
@@Grow_Up_Man55 sell or swap them! Here putting rooted cuttings in plastic cups (with drainage hole) to sell is very popular-and you have some really nice begonias. Nice way to make a few extra dollars.... to buy more plants! 🤣🌿💷🌱
Fascinating video. Very helpful to see the comparative success of each method. My sister-in-law gave me a rioted leaf stem cutting that has clearly got roots but is refusing to sprout more stems/leaves; I reckon you are right that they don’t! Your collection though has flourished in the hot house. Stunning!
Thanks! I got that info from Steve’s leaves. Although he did say there were exceptions so always worth a try. Great fun trying it out though and a cheap way of making gifts for relatives! I’d like to try melanobullata and longiciliata. I reckon they’d be popular.
Hello! I am not a big fan of begonias, but after I saw your begonia luxurious,I felt in love. I bought one and it's died after less than month. I don't know what I did wrong. Can you tell more about how to take care of this beautiful plant? I will buy one again for sure, but don't want to loose it.
Sorry to hear it’s not doing too well. I made a video all about my experiences with it here. Hope it helps: If You GROW One HOUSEPLANT BEGONIA...Make It THIS! ua-cam.com/video/1O68n8Z-GmI/v-deo.html
Thank you so much I really really enjoyed watching you show us all about your propagation of your Begonias. I think it’s very helpful and informative too. I’m extremely impressed with your knowledge and showing us how to and what is the best method too. I’ve subscribed and given you a thumbs up too.
Thanks for another interesting video! We grow a lot, experiment a lot, and kill a lot of plants, we will learn how careful we should be with them. Fortunately, begonias are strong enough to withstand such treatment. I am in the process of growing my B.bowerae that way.
excellent video very help full ,thank you . I've tried taking cuttings .the 1st time a tried a few years ago now, i had success .but i have tried again but no joy. i think it may be that i am using too much water in the mixture of compost & grit sand
Glad it helped. I find that providing you cover your cuttings with either a propagator lid or a clear plastic bag - they don't need watering more than the initial time, Otherwise you're going to encourage rot.
Your Begonias are so beautyfull Geoff. Mine don't want to grow. Maybe the humidity is to low...... Now I'll try to propagate some. My luxuriens is in the garden now and is very happy there.... Thanks for your Video. Very interrested and helpful. Sorry I'm not very good in writing english🙏💚🌱🌺
Sorry to hear that Michaela - there must be some reason for it - like you say - maybe the humidity? In my experience though humidity in general has a limited effect on most plants - only the extremes seem to make much difference. There are exceptions to that of course. Maybe there's some other factor? Glad to hear your luxurians is doing well. Your English is fabulous!
Hey Geoff, your collection is growing beautifully! I love the colors! My tradescantia plants are growing beautifully. I’m scared of the begonias but you are inspiring. Thanks for sharing. ❤️😊🌿🍃🌼
Thanks Pam I really appreciate that! You should definitely try a Begonia (or 10!) as they grow really well given the right conditions. And you’ve got something to look at all year compared to orchids which tend to be just leaves for months! Although I still love orchids too!
I have always found begonias easy to propagate in the past! I think in future I’d use the flat leaf method although like you say they pretty much all seem to work!
Hi During the propagation period do you add water to the soil or only at the beginning to keep it wet? Secondly, how long does it take to see any growth? Thank you
Both depend on your conditions. Moisten the media in the first instance, then don’t let it totally dry out. Off you’re covering them with a plastic bag or propagation then it’ll be unlikely to dry out anyway. Usually you’ll get growth (or they’ll rot!) with a couple of months. Sometimes sooner of conditions are favourable.
Geoff, thanks for the update on the begonia propagations. I’ve had no success with leaf or petiole cuttings but I tried those with cane begonias. I since heard somewhere that canes need the stem method to work (unverified) so that’s what I will try next. Is the Gryphon a cane type? Found conflicting information online, some say cane others say upright rhizomatous hybrid. Maybe that’s why your Gryphon did not work as leaf cuttings???
I’ve always known the gryphon as a cane type - it certainly looks like one and I can’t see a rhizome. I expect it would work with a stem tip cutting. Others have also agreed that the more flimsy leaves don’t work as well as the thicker ones. Makes sense I suppose. It’s quite handy there are so many options to use as at least something should work!
@@heatherstephens9295 Sphagnum is probably the best media for many propagation attempts - the only reason I don't always use it is that you soon have to repot after they've rooted - and I like to cut down on effort! 🤣
Based on my results with Begonia gryphon which is similar, I would say a standard stem tip cutting below a leaf node straight into the media. It'll root in no time.
Your begonias are amzing! Here is very problematic to grow rex begonias because of the heat and the humidity at summer. They doing great for me at winter and just die at summer... Do you have any idea to how help them to go through summer? Also - the water method work good for me but I am getting a problem when I need to put them in the soil - many of them die . I guess it is because the roots are to used to water? Is watering them more often at the start will help?
Thanks Olga. I can understand them dying in a hot summer - they prefer no direct sun and very quickly wilt if left a day or two longer than when they need water. It's a fine line between watering too much and leaving till they wilt. Probably easier to cope with in pots. But yeah, if you plant them outside then make sure they get bright light but out of direct sun and only let them dry out for a short while. Good luck!
I use multipurpose compost and perlite - probably around 3:1. But there are loads of different media mixtures that work for Begonias. Try here: www.begonias.org/soil-media/
It's very difficult to diagnose from a distance, but in my own experience, not enough light makes mine stop growing - so maybe try that. I don't give them anything other than regular, slow release plant fertilizer. The light is key. Only water when it's been dry for a day or two. Good luck!
The water method with just the leaf with stem totally grows into a new plant, at least with...begonia Maculata wightii, Escargot, Hugh Mclachlan, Fedor, Black Satin, Black mamba, Sinbad pink and several other species that I have done.
Oh ok it must have been duff information. 🤷♂️ Unless it was perhaps referring to a particular group of begonias. I’ll have a think where I saw it and see if I can clarify.
People may think it doesn't work because it takes sooooo long compared to other methods. I have potted up ones sorta like the one you shown when the leaf has died , but the stem, roots and tiny babies are , and they have even grown. It takes 3-7 months to really get a viable plant .
OK - I found it! Soooooo - according to Steve's Leaves - he says that rooting a leaf from a cane type Begonia will produce roots but will never produce any shoots. However, he says there are many exceptions! So I sort of ‘miss' remembered some of it! But as you say - if it could take months in water then why not simply pot straight into media? That would be my choice - although I realise some folks prefer water - maybe they just like to see the roots developing which I can understand.
I know a cane begonia leaf without a stem won't grow anything but roots . But with the stem , my cane begonias I've propped dozens from each. I have done them in soil, coco coir, water & sphagnum moss, all worked, but I enjoyed watching them in water.
I actually didn't cover them with plastic bags - which is the recommended method. My Hothouse is already humid - but providing there's air movement (in the form of a fan) rotting is less likely. So I was able to simply top water them.
Pray for me. I had an angel wing that one of the stems was dying so I went to roots and I was trying to remove the dead one and turns out... I broke a root rhyzone???? The other stems that broke off though still have roots are dying. So here I am trying my best with the leaves
Hmm - angel wing Begonias are 'cane-types' not rhizomatous. You should be able to propagate it fairly easily using 'traditional' stem cuttings - even easier actually as Begonias from stem cuttings don't need any special treatment. Just cut part of a stem that has a small leaf on it and plant it up - I never recommend sticking it in water as it tales longer and I see no sensible reason to add in an extra step. Plant it up and treat it like any other plant - it should root in no time. Good luck!
I appear to have the perfect conditions through summer. Hopefully winter in the hothouse will prove successful too - providing I can continue to afford to pay for the heating!🤣
Interesting how the water method didn't work. That's my only success when it comes to begonia propagation. Leaf cuttings just rot no matter what medium I use or where I put it.
👀 ➡ WATCH this video NEXT ➡ 18 BEGONIA Varieties to Grow as HOUSEPLANTS | Plus CARE Tips: ua-cam.com/video/gFqoMY00yDo/v-deo.html
I like how you quickly reviewed each propagation method. I found that very helpful!!!
Glad it was helpful!
I would love to see this video again but without them being neglected! Also maybe different varieties too!
I've propagated all my begonias in water and all of them grew into nice full plants
Congratulations!
Information rich, clear presentation, and ADHD-compatible. 🙃 I really appreciated the systematic study approach and follow-up efficacy assessment - both well suited to this topic. An excellent pair of videos, IMHO!! I saved them to my plant archive playlist for easy reference.
That's wonderful to hear - thanks so much for such a glowing testimonial! Make sure to share it to your Begonia-loving friends...😁🥰
The leaf / stalk method works with begonias that you can leaf propagate. Cane begonias usually need to be propagated from a node. The rex, rhizomatous etc begonias are the ones that can be propped from a leaf only.
So the thing of never getting a plant from a petiole prop would only apply to canes that can't be propped that way. However, always worth a try, sometimes canes will prop from a leaf, amphioxus will!
I prop begonias in a clear plastic box on a heat mat with damp sphag and have very high success rates :) :) :)
Thanks for the tips!
I often use the water method and have really great success.
I also work at a horticulture college and the students learn the flat leaf method. It’s really interesting to see which varieties perform best. We definitely have better results with the thicker leaves.
Yeah I think whatever method people choose - they're very accommodating - although quite slow. Personally I'd just use stem tip cuttings where possible, as you skip a stage if you pot straight into media. And can't go wrong dividing rhizomes. Probably the biggest lesson is patience - as the ones in the video are nearly 4 months old! (By the way, I've been looking at online RHS level 2 courses but struggling to find anything virtual. You wouldn't be in the know about any of this stuff would you?? 😀)
But I would bet you don't leave the same water in the container for 3 months. I use water prop, too. I have been very successful with that method for almost* all plant types. Changing the water out every few days is vital, though, as the fresh water provides the little plant with much needed oxygen. Otherwise, you end up with a murky skunky cup of pond water with rotted, slimy stems. Overall, this was an informative video, though, and I learned some new things. ❤
Well yeah exactly. I wasn’t on top of it as much as I would have liked. Life gets in the way sometimes. I’m just not a water propagator but I realise some people prefer that method.
@Grow_Up_Man55 Thanks for the reply. I get it. Believe me when I say the casualties feel endless if I'm gone, too tired, sick. It's a labour of love, though. No matter which method you use. And anyone who gets excited about seeing new roots pushing through is a good person in my book. Thanks for putting yourself out there by making videos and sharing your experiments and experiences. You're braver than I could ever hope to be.
As a side note: I love your grow space. Personal goal for me to attain that in life. Your callisia repens (sp?) is perfect in every single way ❤️
For the water method, I usually put the cutting in a glass on the kitchen window sill. It usually only takes a couple of weeks to propagate. When there's noticeable roots I pot the cuttings up. Usually a few cuttings to a pot. I tend to do that for cane Bergonias. I have generations of Bergonias that way. My Mum and Grandmother used to do the same. I still have some that they potted up.
I have started 2 Rex begonia "bolero" in water so far and both produced roots pretty quickly. They start growing roots and leaves near the stem base BUT! Right at the bottom of the leaf itself it starts growing new little leaves. It works very well. I do need to try the flat leaf method next, that seems to also work very well. Good experiment Geoff! Well done!
Cheers Tommy - I must admit, I've totally neglected them as I didn't need more of the same plant. Was interesting to see how they worked though - I guess all methods work to some degree with variations among different plants. Fun to do and a great way of keeping stock for gifts and so on. I'll be quiet again for a couple of weeks now - off to sunnier climes...🏖
This was very interesting, thanks for adding the different prop methods. I so envy your beautiful begonias! 🌿🌱
Glad you enjoyed it! They're growing too well...don't know where to put them all! 😂
@@Grow_Up_Man55 sell or swap them! Here putting rooted cuttings in plastic cups (with drainage hole) to sell is very popular-and you have some really nice begonias. Nice way to make a few extra dollars.... to buy more plants! 🤣🌿💷🌱
Amazing collection.... Thank you so much for sharing wonderful information...
Most welcome 😊
Fascinating video. Very helpful to see the comparative success of each method. My sister-in-law gave me a rioted leaf stem cutting that has clearly got roots but is refusing to sprout more stems/leaves; I reckon you are right that they don’t! Your collection though has flourished in the hot house. Stunning!
Thanks! I got that info from Steve’s leaves. Although he did say there were exceptions so always worth a try. Great fun trying it out though and a cheap way of making gifts for relatives! I’d like to try melanobullata and longiciliata. I reckon they’d be popular.
Fabulous selection of these stunning plants! Thanks, I'm off to make experiments!
Thanks Carly I appreciate that! Have fun and I hope they succeed for you.
Hello! I am not a big fan of begonias, but after I saw your begonia luxurious,I felt in love. I bought one and it's died after less than month. I don't know what I did wrong. Can you tell more about how to take care of this beautiful plant? I will buy one again for sure, but don't want to loose it.
Sorry to hear it’s not doing too well. I made a video all about my experiences with it here. Hope it helps: If You GROW One HOUSEPLANT BEGONIA...Make It THIS!
ua-cam.com/video/1O68n8Z-GmI/v-deo.html
Brilliant, thank you Geoff. Really helpful
Pleasure! 👍
Thank you so much I really really enjoyed watching you show us all about your propagation of your Begonias. I think it’s very helpful and informative too.
I’m extremely impressed with your knowledge and showing us how to and what is the best method too. I’ve subscribed and given you a thumbs up too.
Thank you so much!
Thanks for another interesting video!
We grow a lot, experiment a lot, and kill a lot of plants, we will learn how careful we should be with them.
Fortunately, begonias are strong enough to withstand such treatment.
I am in the process of growing my B.bowerae that way.
Yeah that’s true it’s fun trying different methods. 😄
excellent video very help full ,thank you . I've tried taking cuttings .the 1st time a tried a few years ago now, i had success .but i have tried again but no joy. i think it may be that i am using too much water in the mixture of compost & grit sand
Glad it helped. I find that providing you cover your cuttings with either a propagator lid or a clear plastic bag - they don't need watering more than the initial time, Otherwise you're going to encourage rot.
Excellent video
Thank you very much!
Your Begonias are so beautyfull Geoff. Mine don't want to grow. Maybe the humidity is to low...... Now I'll try to propagate some. My luxuriens is in the garden now and is very happy there.... Thanks for your Video. Very interrested and helpful. Sorry I'm not very good in writing english🙏💚🌱🌺
Sorry to hear that Michaela - there must be some reason for it - like you say - maybe the humidity? In my experience though humidity in general has a limited effect on most plants - only the extremes seem to make much difference. There are exceptions to that of course. Maybe there's some other factor? Glad to hear your luxurians is doing well. Your English is fabulous!
Hey Geoff, your collection is growing beautifully! I love the colors! My tradescantia plants are growing beautifully. I’m scared of the begonias but you are inspiring. Thanks for sharing. ❤️😊🌿🍃🌼
Thanks Pam I really appreciate that! You should definitely try a Begonia (or 10!) as they grow really well given the right conditions. And you’ve got something to look at all year compared to orchids which tend to be just leaves for months! Although I still love orchids too!
I have always found begonias easy to propagate in the past! I think in future I’d use the flat leaf method although like you say they pretty much all seem to work!
Yeah they're almost as easy as Tradescantia - just much much slower!
Thank you for these begonia experiments !
My pleasure!
Hi
During the propagation period do you add water to the soil or only at the beginning to keep it wet?
Secondly, how long does it take to see any growth?
Thank you
Both depend on your conditions. Moisten the media in the first instance, then don’t let it totally dry out. Off you’re covering them with a plastic bag or propagation then it’ll be unlikely to dry out anyway. Usually you’ll get growth (or they’ll rot!) with a couple of months. Sometimes sooner of conditions are favourable.
Excellent!
Geoff, thanks for the update on the begonia propagations. I’ve had no success with leaf or petiole cuttings but I tried those with cane begonias. I since heard somewhere that canes need the stem method to work (unverified) so that’s what I will try next. Is the Gryphon a cane type? Found conflicting information online, some say cane others say upright rhizomatous hybrid. Maybe that’s why your Gryphon did not work as leaf cuttings???
I’ve always known the gryphon as a cane type - it certainly looks like one and I can’t see a rhizome. I expect it would work with a stem tip cutting. Others have also agreed that the more flimsy leaves don’t work as well as the thicker ones. Makes sense I suppose. It’s quite handy there are so many options to use as at least something should work!
Would you consider using sphagnum moss instead of potting mix?
Yeah definitely for propagation - I very often do.
@@Grow_Up_Man55 thanks for your reply - wish me luck as I’m going to give it a go 👍👍
@@heatherstephens9295 Sphagnum is probably the best media for many propagation attempts - the only reason I don't always use it is that you soon have to repot after they've rooted - and I like to cut down on effort! 🤣
Great video!!
Glad you enjoyed it 😁
Cool. What would you say would be the best method for the angel wing Begonia(Aka maculata)
Based on my results with Begonia gryphon which is similar, I would say a standard stem tip cutting below a leaf node straight into the media. It'll root in no time.
@@Grow_Up_Man55 thank you 😊
Your begonias are amzing! Here is very problematic to grow rex begonias because of the heat and the humidity at summer. They doing great for me at winter and just die at summer... Do you have any idea to how help them to go through summer? Also - the water method work good for me but I am getting a problem when I need to put them in the soil - many of them die . I guess it is because the roots are to used to water? Is watering them more often at the start will help?
Thanks Olga. I can understand them dying in a hot summer - they prefer no direct sun and very quickly wilt if left a day or two longer than when they need water. It's a fine line between watering too much and leaving till they wilt. Probably easier to cope with in pots. But yeah, if you plant them outside then make sure they get bright light but out of direct sun and only let them dry out for a short while. Good luck!
I have always preferred the tip cutting method, with several nodes below the tip, either from a cane or rhizome.
They're such accommodating plants I expect there are even more methods than the ones I tried.
Hello, what type of soil do you use? I tried the metgod of water and died my begonias so I will try with soil could you give me a advice. Thank you
I use multipurpose compost and perlite - probably around 3:1. But there are loads of different media mixtures that work for Begonias. Try here: www.begonias.org/soil-media/
I had leaves grow from the end of the stem and from the top on a Begonia water Propagation
It just depends on the 'group' of Begonia it comes from. Nothing lost trying it with whatever Begonia you have.😁
My indoor wingtip begonia is stagnant. How often do ü recommend watering it? Any ideal super grow fertilizing methods? Thx.
It's very difficult to diagnose from a distance, but in my own experience, not enough light makes mine stop growing - so maybe try that. I don't give them anything other than regular, slow release plant fertilizer. The light is key. Only water when it's been dry for a day or two. Good luck!
I grew begonia from leaf once. It's possible. Also works with peperomia.
The water method with just the leaf with stem totally grows into a new plant, at least with...begonia Maculata wightii, Escargot, Hugh Mclachlan, Fedor, Black Satin, Black mamba, Sinbad pink and several other species that I have done.
Oh ok it must have been duff information. 🤷♂️ Unless it was perhaps referring to a particular group of begonias. I’ll have a think where I saw it and see if I can clarify.
People may think it doesn't work because it takes sooooo long compared to other methods.
I have potted up ones sorta like the one you shown when the leaf has died , but the stem, roots and tiny babies are , and they have even grown. It takes 3-7 months to really get a viable plant .
I forgot to thank you for the update, I love that you showed all the methods and what worked best for you.
OK - I found it! Soooooo - according to Steve's Leaves - he says that rooting a leaf from a cane type Begonia will produce roots but will never produce any shoots. However, he says there are many exceptions! So I sort of ‘miss' remembered some of it! But as you say - if it could take months in water then why not simply pot straight into media? That would be my choice - although I realise some folks prefer water - maybe they just like to see the roots developing which I can understand.
I know a cane begonia leaf without a stem won't grow anything but roots .
But with the stem , my cane begonias I've propped dozens from each.
I have done them in soil, coco coir, water & sphagnum moss, all worked, but I enjoyed watching them in water.
How do you keep the dirt wet? I saw something that you have to be careful to not rot the leaves
I actually didn't cover them with plastic bags - which is the recommended method. My Hothouse is already humid - but providing there's air movement (in the form of a fan) rotting is less likely. So I was able to simply top water them.
1:22
STROBE LIGHT dance floor in the greenhouse!
🤣 Yeah I forgot to turn off the grow-lights!
Pray for me. I had an angel wing that one of the stems was dying so I went to roots and I was trying to remove the dead one and turns out... I broke a root rhyzone???? The other stems that broke off though still have roots are dying.
So here I am trying my best with the leaves
Hmm - angel wing Begonias are 'cane-types' not rhizomatous. You should be able to propagate it fairly easily using 'traditional' stem cuttings - even easier actually as Begonias from stem cuttings don't need any special treatment. Just cut part of a stem that has a small leaf on it and plant it up - I never recommend sticking it in water as it tales longer and I see no sensible reason to add in an extra step. Plant it up and treat it like any other plant - it should root in no time. Good luck!
If you look up Steve’s leaves propagation on UA-cam it’s another great video
So Jealous of your Begonia collection ! I'm struggling to keep some alive. (too hot in grow room)
I appear to have the perfect conditions through summer. Hopefully winter in the hothouse will prove successful too - providing I can continue to afford to pay for the heating!🤣
Interesting how the water method didn't work. That's my only success when it comes to begonia propagation. Leaf cuttings just rot no matter what medium I use or where I put it.
It wasn’t scientific as I only had a very small sample size. If it worked for 50% it would be worth doing.