Begonia Cuttings: [Concept, Period, Rooting and Planting]

What does it mean to plant by cuttings?

Propagation by cuttings is a technique or procedure for planting a fragment of a mother plant to obtain a new specimen.

This procedure can be done with leaves, stems, roots or rhizomes of a healthy and robust source plant.

Horticulturists recommend planting by cuttings since it is a simple procedure and, under optimal conditions, it is guaranteed to be successful.It is a process of plant reproduction that allows obtaining a large number of plants from a simple procedure and with a fragment of a plant.

Gardening enthusiasts prefer planting by cuttings as they consider it easy to carry out and does not require extensive knowledge of horticulture.

In the case of the begonia, the plant develops points of growth or reproduction due to the action of the meristems (cells in development) in its leaves, which allows its planting, with that fragment.

What is the best time to plant begonia cuttings?

The best time for planting begonia cuttings is between March and April.At present and with modern reproduction techniques, begonia cuttings can be planted at any time of the year.

The optimum temperature for growing begonia is around 15 degrees throughout the year.

How to get begonia cuttings to root correctly?

To get begonia cuttings to root properly, auxin-type regulators could be used to support the growth and quality of their roots.

Although begonia cuttings do not require greater care to root, however, horticulturists recommend impregnating the base of the stem with:

Natural cinnamon, spread the base of the stem of the begonia with cinnamon powder and then plant.Aloe vera, a cut is made in the aloe leaf so that it spills the gelatin with which the base of the begonia cutting is impregnated, before sowing.

Aloe vera will protect the begonia cutting from fungal attack, since this plant is susceptible to them.Another element that can be used is to place rooting hormones for flowering plants that allow the begonia the necessary nutrients to generate new roots.

How should we take begonia cuttings to plant them?

For the reproduction of the begonia, it is necessary to take a cutting from a mother plant that has good phytosanitary conditions and is robust.

A stem is selected from the part of the mother plant that already has children or shoots. Locate the cut below the nodes and close to where the new shoots are, but without damaging them, because what is required is the stem or cutting.

Then carefully cut off the lower leaves to leave a good chunk of bare stem, and the upper leaves should be cut in half so the plant can focus on putting in its new roots.

Cuttings of begonia leaves can also be made, for which a good number of them must be cut from the stem and then subjected to the following action:

With a very sharp knife, cut the leaves that are around the peduncle, leaving a couple or three ribs on each piece to ensure and facilitate rooting.It is possible that from each of the green veins of the leaf a new plant will emerge.

Begonia cuttings should be cut with proper gardening tools that are sharp, disinfected, and clean.

How long should we leave begonia cuttings in water?

The begonia is a plant that can be reproduced by stem cuttings placed in water. The time needed for the roots to reproduce and start new shoots will depend on the plant.

It only remains to place the begonia cutting in water and wait for the new roots to sprout, taking care to keep the water in the container fresh and clean.

Is it convenient to use fertilizer or compost?

Once the stem or leaf begonia cuttings emerge and need to be planted in their final place, the use of fertilizer for flowers is recommended in a proportion of 20-10-20.

A good substrate for begonia cuttings can be made up of mulch, with river sand (or construction sand) with a portion of perlite and vermiculite to give the substrate looseness and 10% earthworm humus.

With the right fertilizer, begonia cuttings are helped so that the plant fills with leaves and foliage.To plant begonia leaf cuttings, it is recommended to prepare a tray with substrate mixed with sand and coated with perlite, in such a way as to maintain the proper position of the leaves.

The begonia is very sensitive to excess water, so it is important that the substrate is kept moist but never flooded because planting may fail.

How long does it usually take for a begonia cutting to come out?

From the leaf planted in the trays, over time, which could be several weeks, a new begonia plant will form.

Once the plant is well formed and with its new roots, it will be planted in the pot or garden intended for it.

Bibliography and references

Bent Ana. (2019). Great Book of Indoor Gardening. First edition. Servilibro Editions, SA Madrid-Spain. PP 43-47.
Manual of propagation of higher plants. Autonomous Metropolitan University, First Digital Edition 2017, Coyoacán. Mexico PDF.