How to Take Cuttings From a Bonfire Begonia

Bonfire begonia is a relatively new cultivar. This plant has huge reddish-orange blooms that radiate out to points on the ends of the petals. With a hanging or spreading habit, the begonia droops gracefully in a container and is easy to maintain. Propagation of begonias is commonly done from cuttings. Begonia cuttings root well in a soil-less medium or in a small jar of water. Prevent fungal disease by misting lightly and infrequently.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

things you’ll need:

• Sharp knife
• Alcohol
• Fungicide
• Rooting hormone
• Baby-food jar
• Water
• Pot
• Plastic
• Fluorescent light
• Timer
• Peat moss
• Perlite
• Plant mister

1. Take a cutting with a leaf scar and a bud node. The length doesn’t matter, as long as it has at least one leaf and one bud node that hasn’t bloomed. Use a sharp knife sterilized with alcohol. Cut 1/2 inch below the selected bud node.
2. Pull the leaves off the cut end if there are any. Leave at least 1 1/2 inches clear of vegetation to prevent rotting. Dip the cutting into fungicide. For dry planting, dipping the end in rooting hormone is an option, but not necessary.
3. Root the begonia cutting in either water or a soil-less medium. To root in water, choose a small container. The cutting doesn’t have to be submerged, but keep the cut end wet. The cut end releases a rooting hormone — more concentrated in a small container with the least possible amount of water.
4. Fill a pot with 1/2 peat moss and 1/2 perlite. This soil-less type of mixture helps prevent disease and is without pathogens. Immerse the prepared end of the cutting into the medium and mist until it’s damp all the way through.
5. Cover the container with plastic to create a mini greenhouse. Put the cutting under a fluorescent light with a timer. Set the light for 14 hours per day. The temperature in the room needs to be about 65 to 70 degrees F. Check the moisture level frequently. A rooted cutting is established in about a month.