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Propagating a begonia. #781351

Asked February 06, 2022, 12:43 PM EST

Hi! I hope you can help me. I was gifted a beautiful begonia without a tag. I hoped to overwinter it and replant it in the spring. All but one of the stalks have died off, but there is fresh growth from the remaining stalk. I’m hoping to start one or multiple new plants from leaf cuttings without killing the mother plant. After some reading I’ve decided to try the end leaf first. I thought I would use rooting powder to improve my chances (though it sounds unnecessary.) I’m debating doing it in a tiny glass of water or in a pot with potting soil/perlite mix. Not sure if one works better. With so few leaves, I need to optimize my odds. I thought in a glass of water I can observe the progress and if it’s working I will know soon enough to start one or two more in time for spring hardening off. I have marked where I was thinking of cutting off the last leaf and will trim down the stem some before putting it in water or a pot. Does this sound good? Also, any chance you can help me identify the cultivar? The closest I can find online is “Nonstop pink,” but that doesn’t seem quite right. Thanks for your help!

Anoka County Minnesota

Expert Response

We can't identify the cultivar by viewing the photos.  If anyone can, it will probably be folks at the American Begonia Society.  Consider directing your question there.
https://www.begonias.org/about-us/contact/

Also, following is a link to the society's detailed, illustrated discussion of begonia propagation methods. We hope this helps.
https://www.begonias.org/vegetative-propagation/
An Ask Extension Expert Replied February 14, 2022, 11:00 AM EST

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