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leggy rex begonia
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Posted by stonejm z6MA (My Page) on Fri, Dec 2, 05 at 21:32
I've been growing a lovely silver/burgundy, rex begonia (can't recall the name)for the past couple of years in a northwest window. With increased family responsibilities of the past few years, my gardening (indoors and out) has not had the attention it used to get. I'd never had a rex begonia before, anyway. This is such a beautiful plant, but it has become very leggy. The leaves themselves look pretty healthy, and there are new ones coming. After not flowering for about a year, it has some new buds. I must admit I've done almost nothing to care for it except watering, did give it some time-release houseplant Osmocote in the past. Probably it needs repotting, for starters. Now that I've seen how to propagate from leaves, I won't mind so much cutting off those big long-legged beauties. Any suggestions?
Thanks!
Judy |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: leggy rex begonia
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| I had hoped someone who grows more Rexes than I do would answer you, but I think you've waited long enough! It is possible, tho' a bit tricky, to cut them off and root them. (That's almost always the way to cure any leggy plant, and even if the cuttings don't root, new growth will start at the base and on the stem if you don't cut it all the way back, which might be a good idea.) Might be best to wait a few months to do that--plants really respond to the promise of spring. Some folks recommend just laying the cut stems of Rexes on top of the soil, rather than pushing them into the mix, as they have a tendency to rot easily. It's supposed to be easier to root leaves than stem cuttings, tho' I've had pretty equal success. Just very important not to water too much (or too little, my weakness!) and I think long-fibered sphagnum moss really helps, either straight or mixed with approximately equal parts of perlite. |
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