Can you propagate begonias.?

Question

Can one take cuttings and propagate begonias that way?

At work the gardner just planted very leggy begonias. I thought if I took cuttings I could root and the ones already in would bush out a bit.

Answer 1

Which kind of begonia are you referring to? There are "outdoor" begonias that may or may not have a bulb, and there are "indoor" begonias which do not have bulbs. "Indoor" begonias are fairly easily started by stem cuttings. Dip the cut stems into a "rooting powder" first, then stick them into damp (but not soaking wet!) potting soil. "Rooting powder" is a hormone of sorts, it helps stems put out roots. It is found in larger garden centers, and it usually comes in small bottles. But, you can get by without using it, some begonias need very little excuse to root. Some are a little more particular, don't know why. "Outdoor" begonias: I imagine the bulb-less types are like the "Indoor" varieties, fairly easy to get started. But the "bulbed" types--don't even try. Their way of multiplication is through the bulb, not through the stem.

Once you've gotten the stems into the pot, put them in a window that gets shade about half the day. You don't want to fry the babies by too much sun! Water them weekly, unless they dry out sooner. Don't feed them anything until they start growing, which should start within a month or so. If they curl up, drop their leaves and wither, they've unfortunatly died. You should get something, though. Begonias are tough customers.

P.S. Cuttings should be at least three inches long.

Answer 2

Propagate Begonias

Answer 3

Really easily. I root stems in water, or in vermiculite with water added, they root easily--if you are referring to nontuberous begonias. Tuberous begonias, the ones with the really huge flowers and leaves, are grown from a bulb. Most begonias you see, however, are readily rootable

Answer 4

Yes you can.. you only need to put them on a moist sand bed kept under a shade! It grows well..