Begonia

This Rex Begonia is one that I originally got from my grandmother. In the 40 years since, I have propagated it many times.The typical propagation method is by cutting a leaf in sections and sitting them point down into a moist but well draining soil medium. I use straight pearlite. New plantlets form from the cut ends of the larger leaf veins.It takes several months to produce a good size plant. A faster way of propagation is to place a horizontal stem portion of a Rex in a small pot with well draining media. Do not completely bury the stem, although the end point can be stuck in the soil enough to stabilize the cutting. This method will produce a larger plant quicker. Rex come is such an array of colors and leaf shapes and forms that you are sure to find one (or more-watch out-they are habit forming). It nearly always blooms beautifully in the early spring, and the one pictured is a particularly large full pot. Cooler weather agrees with Rex more than the suffocating heat of an Alabama summer, but they still soldier on. Be careful not to bury the horizontal stems in the planting media, or they may rot .Remember the stems grow on top of the ground; they are not roots or rhizomes. Keep moist, but not wet, and enjoy the beautiful foliage long after the blooms have faded.