What are the propagation methods for wax begonia? Explained clearly in one article

Wax begonia is mainly propagated in three ways: sowing, cuttings and division. For commercial cultivation, sowing is always used. Wax begonia seeds are tiny and short-lived; seeds that fall naturally into the potting soil often germinate quickly and grow into seedlings, but harvested seeds sown late rarely sprout.

Division propagation of wax begonia

Perennial old wax begonia plants can be divided, and pruning can be done at the same time to encourage new side branches and form a well-shaped plant. However, division can only use the first to second generation mother plants of seed-grown stock. To prevent variety degeneration, sowing is now recommended for propagation.

Seed propagation of wax begonia

1. Container and substrate: For sowing, choose a shallow pot with good air permeability and drainage. The substrate should be loose and fertile; leaf mold, rice husk ash and garden soil can be mixed together, exposed to strong sunlight or sterilized at high temperature, then screened to separate the coarse and fine parts.

2. Pre-sowing treatment: The container used must be washed clean, and the drainage hole at the bottom of the pot should be covered with a clean tile piece to ensure smooth drainage. Put coarse substrate in the lower half of the pot and fine substrate in the upper half, but do not fill it too full; about 2 cm below the pot rim is best. Then place the pot in a water container with the pot surface above the water, so water seeps upward from the bottom hole. Once the potting soil is moist, sowing can begin.

3. Time and method: The best sowing time is April to May and late August to September. Seeds collected in the current year are best. Mix the seeds with fine garden soil and scatter them evenly over the pot surface; no covering with soil is needed. Cover with glass to keep in moisture and place in a cool, ventilated spot. If placed in a greenhouse, shade is needed. At 15-22°C, germination occurs in one week.

Cutting propagation of wax begonia

1. Cutting time: For home cuttings, April to May is suitable, when the temperature rises above 20°C. At this time air humidity is high and the temperature is warm, making management simple and suitable for rapid rooting of wax begonia.

2. Cutting substrate: Wash river sand, dry it in the sun, then place it in a pot. River sand that has been washed and sun-dried is basically sterilized, and the dried sand helps raise the temperature under daytime sunlight, promoting callus formation and rooting on the cut surface of the cuttings.

3. Cutting selection: Cut strong branches, each with 3-4 nodes, trim the top into a flat shape and the bottom into a horseshoe shape to increase contact with the sand and promote rooting.

4. Cutting management: Insert the cuttings into the sand pot at a spacing of 3 cm × 4 cm. Before inserting, use a bamboo stick the same thickness as the cutting to make a hole in the pot sand, then insert the wax begonia branch. Do not water for 2 days after insertion, to help the cut surface form a healing callus. On the 5th day, spray with water at about the same temperature as the sand, until water flows out from the bottom of the pot. Place in a cool spot and generally do not water again. After about 10 days, roots 3-4 cm long can grow. At this point place the pot in sunlight and water according to the weather. After another 6-7 days, it can be potted for final planting.