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Dotted leaves and bright flowers are the distinctive hallmarks of Begonia maculata. You can find out how to propagate the trout begonia using our easy-to-understand instructions below.

In a nutshell

  • Propagation is possible via offshoots as well as cuttings
  • Growing new plants from seeds in private settings is not very common
  • in the water: cut shoots take root and can be planted

Cuttings and Cuttings - What's the Difference?

For those who have not yet dealt extensively with the topic of plant propagation, the terms will initially sound confusingly similar. It is therefore worth taking a first look at the differences between an offshoot and a cutting:

offshoot are naturally growing shoots that plants like the trout begonia use to reproduce without, however, depending on insect pollination. A shoot grows from the mother plant and forms roots when it comes into contact with the ground. After growth there is still a connection to the mother plant, but the independence of the offshoot is fully given.

A cutting on the other hand is any shoot that the gardener consciously separates from the plant and stimulates to develop roots.

The main difference is that in the end the same process takes place naturally and artificially.

Trout begonia propagate by cuttings

Cultivating an offshoot is therefore particularly easy. As soon as you have identified a particularly long side shoot of your plant, prepare a planter with substrate on which you can place the shoot. Sufficient soil moisture stimulates the formation of earth roots. After a few days to around two weeks, the shoot will grow firmly in the ground and the remaining connection to the mother plant can be severed with clean scissors.

Notice: With regard to a suitable soil material and other care, refer to the following instructions for cuttings, as both ways of propagating the trout begonia are similar from the time the roots form.

Gain and pull cuttings

The use of cuttings, on the other hand, is a little more complex, but not really difficult. Appropriate preparation is important so that the success of your efforts can flourish from an optimal basis:

The utensils

Every cut that you inflict on your plant represents an injury. Here, bacteria, germs and other harmful pathogens penetrate the interior of the plant particularly easily and can even lead to the death of the entire plant. Therefore, make sure you have sharp and at the same time clean, ideally disinfected tools. Well suited are:

  • pruning shears or household scissors
  • kitchenknife
  • Cutter or other sharp cutting tools

You should also provide the following items:

  • Vase, capacity at least 0.5 to 1 liter
  • Plant pot with drainage holes
  • coasters

Tip: Adjust the vase size according to the dimension of the intended cutting. This should stand securely without the vessel falling over. The stated minimum volume serves to counteract the water used spoiling too quickly.

The substrate

In order to propagate the trout begonia, cuttings first need an appropriate substrate before they later take a good part of their moisture and nutrients from the ambient air via aerial roots. The potting soil used should have the following properties:

  • loose, not too compact
  • good moisture storage capacity
  • permeable to waterlogging
  • good supply of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, as well as other minerals as a basic supply

You can either use special soil for succulents or cacti from specialist retailers, or simply mix your own substrate:

  • 2 parts garden soil, ideally pre-fertilized
  • 1 part sand or expanded clay

Tip: The optimal pH value of the substrate is around 5.5 to 6.5, i.e. in the slightly acidic range. To safely reach it, you can add leaves or mulch from oak or coniferous plants. However, the biomass should be well comminuted so that it can be broken down quickly.

Propagating trout begonia: step-by-step instructions

Now the time has come and you actually start to multiply your trout begonia:

  1. Cut the shoot: Choose a young shoot of your Begonia maculata, which ideally already has some aerial roots and at least 2 or more true leaves. Use scissors or a knife to cut off the shoot just above the next pair of leaves below, leaving a sufficiently long piece of the stem for rooting.
  2. draw roots: Place the shoot in the vase filled with lukewarm water. Be careful not to submerge the leaves in water to avoid rot. It is sufficient if the style is about 2-4 centimeters deep in the water. After just a few days you can see that the first fine root veins are growing out of the cutting point. As soon as the roots are a little stronger after about a week, your cutting is ready to move into the ground. Attention: Always make sure there is enough clean water in the vase. In the long run, bacteria can accumulate here, which can kill the shoot. You should get fresh water every two to three days at the latest.
  3. planting: Fill the plant pot loosely with the prepared soil and form a planting well in the middle that is about 2 centimeters deeper than the rooted part of the shoot. Place the shoot in the trough and gently press the soil from the sides. If you now ensure that the moisture in the soil remains constant, your new trout begonia should be firmly rooted in the soil after a few days.

Point of time

Since Begonia maculata is mainly kept indoors, it can ultimately be propagated all year round. However, spring is a good time, as the intense light encourages growth, while temperatures are still moderate enough not to dry out the substrate too quickly.

The care of the Begonia maculata

Once your cutting is rooted in the ground, you should give it the same care as the mother plant. Ensure a regular supply of nutrients and even watering by giving small amounts of water frequently. In addition, high humidity helps the plant in its development. Regular spraying can therefore replace part of the amount of irrigation water.

frequently asked Questions

Why isn't my shoot rooting?

If there is enough water, the cutting probably lacks the necessary energy. This is mainly obtained through photosynthesis. Make absolutely sure that the shoot used has leaves and is sufficiently bright to produce the glucose from CO2, water and light.

The cutting will turn brown and rot. Why?

If the shoot of the trout begonia has already rotted in the water, the water is likely to be contaminated with germs or bacteria. If, on the other hand, it only rots after it has been planted in the ground, waterlogging in particular leads to rapid rotting of the plant substance.

Does the natural offshoot have an advantage over the cutting?

Once roots have formed, there is no longer any difference between the two forms of propagation. In the run-up, the offshoot's chance of success should be a little higher, as it develops its roots while it is still being cared for by the mother plant.

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Category:

Indoor plants