Rieger Begonia Pinching Tips and Cutting Propagation Methods Explained
Rieger begonia is a warmth-loving plant that grows best in a warm environment, so it is commonly found in tropical regions. Because Rieger begonia has extremely high ornamental value, many people now choose to grow it, but to grow it well, you also need to master some techniques, such as pinching, cuttings, and pruning, all of which are very important.
How to pinch Rieger begonia
1. When the seedlings of this plant grow to the height you expect, you can directly pinch off the top shoot with your fingers, which benefits the growth of new side branches. Or you can wait until the small seedlings grow to about 10 cm tall, then remove one-third or one-half of the top, or pinch off at a point 0.5 cm above an axillary bud.
2. After the tops of the main branches of seedlings with relatively many flowers are pinched off, the apical dominance of this plant will be redirected to the small buds below the pinched points, and three to four branches will grow below the pinched points; they will be used to replace the growth of the central main stem. After the first removal of excess growing tips, after some time, the new side branches will grow well, and at this point a second pinching is needed, that is, pinching off the tops of the new side branches again, so that more new branches can grow.
3. Note: new branch buds usually sprout after the weather begins to turn cool in autumn, so while pinching you should water it heavily to replenish its moisture, so it can grow better. The pinched Rieger begonia should be given sufficient light to meet its growth needs. Also, the temperature of its growing environment must not be lower than 10°C, otherwise its growth will be hindered.
Why Rieger begonia should be pinched
Rieger begonia itself has relatively poor branching, so it is necessary to remove those excess growing tips to promote the growth of basal branches. The general requirement is to begin topping two weeks after planting the seedlings in pots. In order to make side branches sprout and better shape this plant, potted Rieger begonia should be pinched during its growing period, so that when it blooms the flowers are more beautiful and full. You can properly pinch off and prune excess useless flowers, which helps preserve nutrients.
Rieger begonia cutting propagation methods
1. Cutting propagation mainly includes stem cuttings and leaf cuttings. The cutting medium is mainly vermiculite or clean sandy soil, and the medium needs to be disinfected before use.
2. For stem cuttings, choose suitable branches of moderate length and trim them a little; for leaf cuttings, choose vigorously growing leaves and remove them for later use.
3. Insert the cuttings into the medium, water thoroughly, cover with plastic film, and place in a cool, ventilated spot. They can take root in about 3 weeks. Let them grow for a period before lifting them out for transplanting.
Pruning methods for Rieger begonia
1. If you want your Rieger begonia to look lush and full of branches, be sure to pinch during the growing period, as this encourages the plant to sprout side branches and achieve a full shape. At the same time, excess flower buds should also be removed in time; do not be reluctant to cut off those flowers, because too many flowers disperse nutrients and prevent a large amount of nutrients from being concentrated on the main flowers, so while pruning branches and leaves you should also cut off excess flower buds.
2. After the weather enters autumn, Rieger begonia will sprout new shoots at the base of the plant. When the new branches grow to a certain height, you can use a knife to cut off the old branches from the base. At this time, be careful to increase watering, because the growth of new branches requires a large amount of water, and cutting off the old branches at this time will reduce part of the water transport capacity. Each pot only needs to keep three new branches; just cut off the rest. This is because it can better concentrate nutrients and help Rieger begonia take shape as early as possible.
Pinching Rieger begonia can ensure its growth, so pinching is essential. When pinching, be sure to replenish water to avoid poor growth. The cutting method for Rieger begonia is actually not difficult either; choose a suitable time, and also do a good job of disinfection and pruning, and then you can take cuttings.