Can Rex Begonias Grow in Water? [Explained]

by

Can rex begonias grow in water? Rex Begonias may, in fact, be grown in the water right in your living room, where they can then be used to make lovely arrangements of a variety of begonias in jars. This article focuses entirely on the procedure, including the seemingly little but very important steps that must be taken and avoided in order to complete the task successfully the very first time.

Yes, rex begonia grows in water. Many people’s minds immediately conjure up thoughts of intricate hydroculture or hydroponics practices when they hear queries like “Can Rex Begonias Grow in Water?” The cultivation and propagation of the vast majority of begonia species are, fortunately, not too complicated.

Rex Begonias, like the vast majority of other plant species, are hardwired from birth to generate offspring whenever they come into touch with water. They do this by developing new root systems. This is a survival instinct that is hardwired into plants to ensure the continuation of their species, particularly in situations that are less than perfect for growth.

Can Rex Begonias Grow in Water?

Can rex begonias grow in water

When it comes to cultivating rex begonias in water, the essential resources are the leaves, which include thick petioles that are rich in succulents. The petiole is the tiny stalk that connects the leaf to the main stem. The majority of gardeners who are interested in cultivating houseplants believe that water propagation of rex begonias is not only the simplest method for giving birth to new plants but also the most convenient method for nurturing them to maturity without the need for pots and soils.

People who have had limited luck cultivating rex begonias in soil and/or who don’t want to deal with the mess that occurs with using soil to cultivate plants are also good candidates to grow rex begonias in water. Growing begonias in water are advised. Growing rex begonias with nothing but water is about as clean as plant cultivation can get.

Common variants of the genus Begonia, such as Rex begonias, Begonia maculata, hardy wax Begonias, and Tuberous Begonias, are examples of the kinds of Begonia species that are well suited to the concept of reproducing and growing only in water. The ability of the nodes to quickly sprout roots in water is the characteristic that most significantly contributes to growth in water.

Steps to Grow Rex Begonias in water

Begonia rex

Use sharp shear to cut plant leaves. Tearing the plant’s leaves roughly might break the plant’s cells which do not propagate in the new plant. 

  • Find any rex begonia leaf that has developed, and then pick it. Remove the leaf from the plant it came from. You want the petiole, also known as the leaf’s stem, to be a part of the trimmed leaf.
  • You should try to harvest as many leaves as you can in order to improve your chances of becoming successful.
  • Place the leaf cuttings, stem-side down, into the water in the jar, making sure that only the leaf itself is submerged. As a means of support, the leaf needs to be positioned so that it rests on the rim of the jar.
  • A well-lit location should be provided for the jar in which the rex begonia leaf cutting or cuttings are stored. After around 7–10 days, the rex begonia leaf should begin to send out roots from the end of the leaf’s stem in the water where it was originally submerged.
  • The only thing that needs to be done at this point is to make sure that the region continues to get the perfect growth conditions for rex begonias in respect of light and humidity.
  • At this stage, there is no need for you to replace the water. There are many who believe that the plant will suffer if the water is changed. The idea behind this is that the water at this stage in the process includes vital plant compounds that were secreted by the leaf to assist in the development of the roots.
  • After the third week, you should see that the roots are becoming larger. If you are lucky, you will begin to notice young plantlets complete with small leaves developing from the roots inside the water. These plantlets will have grown from the parent plant.
  • In approximately a month and a half, the leaves at the top of the plant would likewise get visibly larger. The growth pattern of the new leaves would proceed in the same direction.
  • When the roots have grown large and are beginning to show signs of maturity, it is important to check to see that not every section of the roots is completely buried in water. The plant would benefit from being exposed to air if you let roughly a third of it grow above the water.
  • Be prepared, though, to eventually report your rapidly expanding rex begonia plants into containers with more volume. If you follow the right rex Begonia care schedule that was described below, you shouldn’t have any trouble obtaining leaves that are healthy and lovely.

Related Post: How to propagate Rex begonias

Tip for growing Rex Begonias in water

Begonia Leaves

Quality of water

  • The water’s purity should not be overlooked. You should use water that has been drilled from a borehole, filtered, or that comes from spring water. It would also work if the tap water had a low ppm concentration.
  • When the rex begonia is grown and has set roots, you should change the water once per week to protect it from bacterial and fungal infections, which may stunt the plant’s development.

Adequate Sunlight

  • Another essential aspect to take into account is the source of the light. Begonias thrive in indirect light but are not suited for full exposure to sunlight.
  • You may either place the plants in a spot outside that gets enough light but is somewhat shaded, or you can position them next to a window in a well-lit room.
  • If the illumination in the room is insufficient, you may also position them so that they are immediately beneath the LED lights. In order to promote healthy plant development, these lights imitate natural sunlight.
  • Grow bulbs and artificial “daylight” are two types of lighting for plants that are highly dependable. You can get them at just about any shop that sells gardening supplies.

Humidity and temperature

  • Begonias are plants that originate in tropical climates and thrive in warm environments. The ideal amounts of humidity and temperature for plant development are around 50 percent and 75 degrees Fahrenheit, respectively. If you want your plants to thrive, you should provide them with these conditions.
  • If you were cultivating a large number of begonias in close proximity to one another, the humidity level would most likely be greater than 50 percent. However, this is not a problem as long as the humidity level in the region does not deviate much from the standard in any direction.

Fertilization

  • It is not required to use plant food or fertilizer for a new Rex Begonia leaf to produce roots in the water where it is growing. After the plant’s roots have grown, you may begin adding a tiny quantity of fertilizer to the soil. We suggest using hydroponic fertilizer, which can be found at places that specialize in gardening supplies.
  • Although the correct dose and method of administration are different for each brand, it is essential that you follow all of the guidelines provided. It is important to keep in mind that you do not need a significant amount of hydroponic fertilizer at one time. Therefore, a little container may hold a significant amount of liquid.
  • A quarter of the normal dose is all that is required, despite the fact that it does not matter which brand you are taking.

Can begonias grow in just water?

Begonias can be grown in water, but they typically do not do well when grown exclusively in water. While it is possible to propagate begonias from cuttings in water, the plants will eventually need to be transferred to soil in order to thrive.

Begonias prefer well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter, and they typically need to be grown in pots or containers with drainage holes to prevent the roots from sitting in water, which can lead to rot and other problems. Begonias also need plenty of sunlight, as they are native to tropical and subtropical regions of the world and are adapted to high light levels.

It is generally a good idea to grow begonias in soil and to water them regularly to keep the soil evenly moist, but not waterlogged. Begonias also benefit from regular fertilization with a balanced fertilizer to help promote healthy growth and flowering.

How long do begonias take to root in water?

The length of time it takes for begonias to root in water will depend on a variety of factors, including the specific variety of begonia, the size and type of cutting being used, and the environmental conditions. In general, begonias will root more quickly in warmer water, as warmer temperatures can help to stimulate root growth.

It is generally best to use stem cuttings that are 4 to 6 inches long and that have at least two or three sets of leaves. The bottom leaves should be removed and the cutting should be placed in a jar or glass of water, with the leaves above the water line. The water should be changed every few days to prevent it from becoming stagnant.

Begonias will usually begin to root within a few weeks, although it can take longer depending on the conditions. Once the cuttings have rooted and developed a good root system, they can be transferred to soil to continue growing. It is important to handle the cuttings carefully when transplanting them to avoid damaging the delicate roots.