How to Propagate Wax Begonia? Detailed Cutting Method Guide

Wax begonias are fairly easy to propagate, and ordinary cuttings will root successfully. Many flower lovers surely have a pot of wax begonia like this at home.

Cutting propagation uses the regenerative ability of plant roots, stems, leaves and buds to make them root and sprout under suitable conditions and form new plants. Its advantages are maintaining each plant's characteristics; flowering earlier than seed propagation; simple propagation method, easy material collection and high survival rate; it can be done in all four seasons when conditions are suitable; and it can be used to propagate types that do not set seed. The disadvantages are that cutting-grown plants have shallow root systems and a shorter growing lifespan. Stem cuttings include hardwood cuttings and softwood cuttings.

Wax begonias are best propagated by cuttings generally from April to May, when the temperature rises above 20°C; of course, autumn also works, and generally keeping it between 20-25°C for cuttings is fine; in summer it is semi-dormant, and cuttings rot easily. Below, the soil cutting and water cutting methods for wax begonias are introduced separately.

I. Soil Cutting

1. Plain sandy soil can be used as the medium, or a medium made by mixing 2 parts peat soil and 1 part sandy soil. The soil is required to have good water permeability and good air permeability.

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3. After cutting, water thoroughly, place in a cool and well-ventilated place, and spray water twice a day. (When cuttings are in plain sandy soil, the spraying frequency should be higher.)

4. Roots form in two weeks. For better transplant survival, after one month transplant the rooted wax begonias into nutrient-rich flower pots.

II. Water Cutting

1. This method is very simple. Cut a mineral water bottle in half from the middle, keep the bottom half, and make it into a culture pot for later use.

2. Keep a small amount of leaves at the top of the wax begonia branch, and cut off the remaining leaves together with their petioles.

3. Place the prepared wax begonia branch upright in the prepared culture pot, then add water until the water covers one third of the branch. Put it on the windowsill, just do not expose it to direct sunlight.

4. Change the water every 2-3 days until it roots, then transplant into a pot.

It is worth noting that you should use clean water or water with a small amount of white sugar added, and do not use tap water directly; it should be sunned for 1-2 days.

Below, the soil culture cutting method for wax begonias is used as an example to guide everyone:

1. Cutting Time

Wax begonias root easily, but cutting in summer is not recommended. In high temperatures they are often semi-dormant, so cuttings do not survive easily and the cuttings tend to rot. It is best to cut in spring and autumn, when the survival rate is very high. Generally no special treatment is needed; it is very simple. Household cuttings should be done between April and May, when the temperature rises above 20°C. At this time air humidity is high and the temperature is warm, management is simple, and it is suitable for the rapid rooting of wax begonias.

2. Cutting Medium

Wash river sand, dry it in the sun, then place it in a pot. River sand that has been washed and then sun-dried basically achieves the purpose of disinfection, and the sun-dried river sand helps raise the temperature under daytime sunlight, promoting healing and rooting of the cut surface of the cuttings.

3. Selection of Cuttings

For cuttings, generally choose healthy, disease-free tips, about 5—6 cm long, that is, 3-4 nodes, with at least 2 buds on each cutting. Cut at 1 cm below the node on the stem of the cutting. After cutting, the leaves near the base can be removed. If there are flower buds, remove them, then cut the top into a flat shape and the bottom into a horseshoe shape, to enlarge the contact surface with the sand and promote rooting, then carry out the cutting.

4. Cutting and Management

Insert into the sand pot at a plant and row spacing of 3 cm×4 cm. When cutting, first use a bamboo stick of the same thickness as the cutting to poke holes in the pot sand, then insert the wax begonia branch. Within 2 days after cutting, do not water, to help the cut surface form a healing callus. On the 5th day, spray-water with water at about the same temperature as the sand; water until water is seen flowing out from the bottom of the pot. Place in a cool place and generally do not water again. In about 10 days, a root system of 3-4 cm can grow. At this time, place the pot in sunlight and water according to the weather. After 6-7 more days, it can be potted and planted.