Leaves should not touch the water as this can lead to problems such as rot or fungus. WebTo water the polka dot begonia, allow the top inch of the soil to dry before the next portion of water. WebCaring for Polka Dot Begonia Watering a Polka Dot Begonia. Water when the top inch of soil is dry. (Similar to my Alocasias) I try to keep the soil moist, but not wet, as soggy roots can lead to root rot but they also dont like to dry out. It has a fairly long blooming season from mid-spring (April) through midsummer (July). It seems to love the light! However, I would recommend choosing one that isnt brand new, and is mostly done growing. Average household temperatures are completely suitable for growing a Polka Dot Begonia. Let soil dry out to about a half inch on the surface before watering. Leaves appear on alternating sides of the stem. There are various ways to take a cutting from your Begonia to use as a starter for new plants. Simply take a 4-inch or 5-inch cutting and stick it in a glass or jar of water. This can be done when the seedlings have their second set of leaves. The plant's unique and colorful appearance, including flowers that range from white to pink to coral, is what makes it so popular among plant enthusiasts. The plant propagates by placing stem cuttings in water. (Mixed all ingredients together in a large container, with a lid so I could save it for future uses). For more information about houseplant pests, use this post as a resource. Polka dot begonia propagation. Garden Journal Ideas and Questions (FREE Printable), Painted Mountain Corn (Natural Rainbow Corn). Place the end of the cutting (the stem, not the leaf) in a glass container with filtered water in a spot with bright but indirect light. Then, place the vase or glass containing the plant in a light and warm spot to provide the perfect growing conditions. However, it is a temperate, tropical perennial native to Central America and can only survive outdoors in zone 10 or above, making it hard to keep it going outdoors anywhere in the USA. Mature stems are stems that are in the middle to lower areas of the plant and should be at least three to four inches long. These ratios will be printed on a fertilizers label. This following list is a nice summary of things to look out for and how to deal with them! Let the roots air out for a couple of days before repotting in fresh soil. Overwatering can cause root rot and can make the plant more susceptible to pests and infections. Remove all signs of aphids with an alcohol soaked cotton ball. When the begonia is not getting enough light, its leaves will start losing color. When planted directly into the potting soil, they must contain a high concentration of nutrients. If you take cuttings from your plant to increase bushiness, youre in luck! Put the seed tray somewhere that receives plenty of light but is not in a hot location. A tiny version of the mother plant should pop up from the petiole point, drawing nutrients from both the leaf and its own small root system. Temperatures below 60 degrees Fahrenheit can cause the plant to wilt. After the Polka Dot Begonia cuttings have established roots in the soil, you may resume your routine care routine for the plant. because it really does depend on your conditions, as with any plant! Other names by which polka dot begonia or begonia maculata is known are clown begonia, wightii begonia, spotted begonia, or spotty begonia. As you can see here, a new baby leaf is growing after just a few weeks in soil. However, polka dots will most likely suffer from overwatering, so its important to avoid soggy soil at all costs. You can check the moisture level of the soil by sticking your finger an inch or two into the soil, or you can use a moisture meter. Water It's very important not to overwater your begonia. But oh MY has it grown! Mine sits near an East-facing window. Place the stem cutting in fresh, room temperature water. A polka dot plant can flourish in a potting mix with a cactus mix or granular soil. I will include all of the links to the materials at the end of this post! Polka dot begonias are a beautiful and colorful addition to any home, and because they require so little care, they are perfect for beginning gardeners who are just getting their feet wet. Polka dot begonias should be watered every 34 days in the summer season and once a week in the winter. This sap may cause a variety of adverse responses, including reddening of the skin, irritation of the mucous membranes, vomiting, diarrhea, and difficulty breathing. Because the roots of the plants are very dense, they tend to wear out the soil quickly, which is why potting them into fresh soil every year is good for these plants. Some indoor gardeners have kept their heirloom Begonia alive for decades by propagating from an original mother plant! A balanced fertilizer has equal parts of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Keep the soil very lightly moist. You can also pinch your Polka Dot Begonia to stimulate your plant to create two branching stems from one point. I water 2-3 times per week, depending on how hot it is. Like most houseplants, these plants growing season falls on late spring and summer which is when maximum growth can be achieved with proper care and fertilization. All you have to do is lay the rhizome piece horizontally on the soil and give them a good push so theyre about halfway covered. Make sure to place the cutting (and water) somewhere with plenty of bright, indirect light. Taking care of a polka dot begonia is not very difficult and can be easily done by a novice plant grower. You want to look for an LED 100W equivalent daylight bulb that puts out at least 5000k or above. Begonias also enjoy a high level of humidity. What about putting some tape on either side of the leaf to narrow the hole so it doesnt slide down?! With this information, you should be able to locate the optimal places to divide your Polka Dot Begonia. You can also choose to cut off a part of the actual stem, including multiple leaves (pictured above). It can be a bit tricky, especially if the seeds you get arent pelleted: they are extremely tiny. I water 2-3 times per week, depending on how hot it is. Place the seeds in a shallow container filled with sterile soil with good drainage. The best pot for Polka Dot Begonias is terracotta pots. Put the cutting in a glass of water and place it in a window sill or area that receives bright, indirect light. Once the moisture meter reads 3-4, its time to water. Too little light, however, can also cause stunted growth in addition to extreme legginess and faded spots. As you can see below, I actually picked a leaf that was somewhat damaged by the sun in this case. Black Gold 8-Quart All Purpose Potting Soil: Black Gold Moisture Supreme Potting Soil. The best time to water Begonia Maculata (Polka Dot Begonia) is once the top inch or two of soil is dry. Use a sharp small pair of snips to make a clean cut. If you take cuttings from your plant to increase bushiness, youre in luck! Botrytis is known as another fungal disease that affects begonia maculata. Home Houseplant propagation How to propagate Begonia | From leaves or cuttings. The plant needs moist Polka Dot Begonia Light Requirements. Or, introduce a pebble tray covered with water to ensure consistent humidity. Rip the begonia maculata into smaller pieces to separate it into parts of different sizes. This plant variety has also been introduced to other countries in the region, including Mexico, Argentina, and Cuba. Typically, I like to go for one that isnt new. It is about time that you started looking into the plants backstory. The process of propagating these plants by division is relatively straightforward. This insect feeds on the sap of plants and can be devastating. Bright, indirect light is the best type of lighting for the polka dot begonia. Polka dot begonias should be watered every 34 days in the summer season and once a week in the winter. Expert Tip By mimicking the change in temperature indoors to match the seasons, this encourages your Begonia maculata to enter a dormant period. Change the water every three to four days or earlier if you notice discoloration. Yes, polka dot begonias are rare exotic plants. It also sits under a grow light for a few hours every day. Your polka dot begonia also needs regular pruning to keep it from getting too overgrown or leggy. Prune away all affected roots before repotting. And can I leave it in water or does he need to go back into soil? Once a healthy amount of roots have grown, you can then place it in a pot with fresh soil. Only the bare nodes should be submerged in water. Just keep an eye out for root rot signs! I propagate all of my Polka Dot Begonia cuttings in water so I can easily monitor root growth before planting in soil. Make a clean cut from the plant using scissors. I water 2-3 times per week, depending on how hot it is. However, polka dot begonias are hazardous to your health since the plant sap contains oxalic acid and calcium oxalate, both toxic substances. LED 100W equivalent daylight bulb that puts out at least 5000k or above. How about the third? Begonia maculata is an evergreen perennial plant originating from the tropical forests of southeastern Brazil. In this Epipremnum pinnatum clone, the mature leaves start out a deep green and take on a bluish color. You will want to put your Polka Dot Begonia on display for everyone to admire however take care to keep it out of the reach of pets and kids. Water: The polka dot begonia plant likes to grow in moist soil but makes the soil keep the soil moist, you are not overwatering the plant. If you take cuttings from your plant to increase bushiness, youre in luck! Its best to choose a water-soluble fertilizer for a polka dot begonia, or use small amounts of compost to feed the plant. The roots take a while to grow so be patient; it may take several weeks to two months. The spotted, elongated leaves are a dark green color that sometimes ranges from olive to forest green. Too much direct sunlight, especially rays from the harsh afternoon sun, will cause leaf damage and stunted growth. I have a stem in some water (for propogation) but it keeps slipping down into the bottle ( even though it has a skinny top)which makes the leaf and it's petiole get in the water. If you live in USDA zone 10, you might be able to grow this plant outside. Philodendron Camposportoanum: Complete Care Guide, Philodendron Moonlight: Care, Light, Propagation & More, Alocasia Jacklyn Care: Everything You Need To Know, Alocasia Azlanii: An In-Depth Care & Growing Guide, How To Care For Dischidia Ovata: Light, Water & More, Ficus Elastica Ruby Care: Light, Soil, Watering & More, String Of Bananas Care Guide: Light, Soil, Water & More, Gorgeous String Of Hearts Varieties You Have To Try. These plants also develop cascading white flowers in the growing season that make their appearance even more striking. Bright, indirect light is the best type of lighting for the polka dot begonia. A fertilizer can be used to help liven up the blooms on your polka dot begonia. Kept in the right conditions indoors, it will usually also bloom in late winter (January-February) and possibly in late fall (November). Propagation from leaf cuttings You only have to snip a few fresh leaves from your plant to make new Polka dot Begonia plants from cuttings. 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