How to Propagate Giant Begonias

A giant begonia, a member of the Begoniaceae family, can add a lot of character and color to your garden. The large perennial tubers produce green foliage and bright flowers. If you wish to multiply the number of giant begonias in your yard without purchasing new seeds or nursery begonias, you can propagate the plant, or start new plants from cuttings of the old one.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

things you’ll need:

• Garden shears
• Peat moss
• Perlite
• Pot
• Rooting hormone
• Wooden stakes
• Plastic bag
• Rubber band

1. Cut back the first begonia, or the "mother" begonia, to three inches in height from its crown. The crown is the knot of stems where the branches start and spread. Complete this before the first frost of the winter season.
2. Move the begonia indoors to a cool location. Reduce the amount of water the plant gets for its time indoors. Only water the begonia lightly once the soil is dry.
3. Move the giant begonia outside once the spring season starts. Increase the water ration immediately to promote fresh growth.
4. Fill a pot with equal amounts of peat moss and perlite (volcanic glass with moderately high water retention). Water the mixture enough to make it moist, but not soggy. No water should leak from the soil once you finish.
5. Cut one of the fresh growths once it reaches five or six inches in length. Cut the fresh growth right above the node. Choose a growth that is not flowering.
6. Cover the fresh cut edge of your begonia growth with rooting hormone. Cover it lightly and shake away any excess hormone. Set the growth into the pot with the peat moss and perlite mixture. Dig the cutting into the soil mixture deep enough to ensure it stands on its own power.
7. Stake some clean wooden stakes into the pot. Ensure there are enough to support a plastic bag, preventing it from touching your begonia. Place a plastic bag over the top of the pot. Do not let the plastic bag touch the cutting at any time. Use a rubber band to hold the plastic bag over the pot.
8. Watch your root cutting to make sure it has enough water. Give it a thorough watering any time its soil starts getting dry and crumbly.
9. Transplant your giant begonia growth once it has a strong root structure. This may take up to two months to form.

Tips & Warnings

• Take extra care of your "mother" begonia after you cut it down to such a small size. Keep it in cool conditions and set it in direct sunlight.