How to Multiply Begonia Tubers

The propagation of tuberous begonias is easy. Anyone can take one plant and multiply it into numerous identical offsets. By following just a few simple steps, you can clone your favorite tuberous begonia, and save loads of money you would have spent buying new plants each year. In time, each new plant can again be divided, producing more plants than you will know what to do with!

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

things you’ll need:

• Tuberous begonia plant
• Sharp Knife
• Lighter
• Rooting hormone/fungicide
• Empty pot/container
• Sterile potting soil
• Plastic bag
• Rubber band
• Water

Propagating Tuberous Begonias

1. Prepare the parent plant by removing all soil, leaves and roots from the tuber.
2. Identify tuber "growth points.," or "eyes." Each of these "eyes" will become the shoot of new growth for the cloned plant.
3. Using a sharp knife, carefully cut the tuber into multiple parts, making sure each section contains at least one "eye." (Sterilize the knife in-between cuts by burning the blade with a lighter.) If the tuber has produced offsets (small fully developed bulbs), remove these and plant in the same fashion.
4. Dust the wound of each cut with rooting hormone/fungicide. (This will aid the growth of new roots and protect the wound from infection.)
5. Fill a pot or container 2/3 of the way with sterile potting soil. Place the tuberous divisions 4 inches apart, with the eye facing upward. Cover with 1/4 inch of the remaining potting soil.
6. Water the potting soil well. Place the container in indirect light (not in direct sun), in a spot where temperatures stay above 65 degrees F. Keep the soil evenly moist, not soggy. To increase humidity and overall chance of success, place a plastic bag over the pot, and secure with a rubber-band.
7. Move the container outside (where temperatures will not fall below 50 degrees F) or to a well-lit window n a few weeks when leaves emerge.
8. Keep new plants protected from direct mid-day sun, drying breezes and freezing temperatures. Once established (6 to 8 weeks), treat new plants as you would the parent plant.

Tips & Warnings

• Use caution when applying rooting hormone/fungicide.