Angel wing begonias (Begonia spp.) make an interesting focal point for container gardens or patio-pot groupings. In U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 through 11, these cane-stemmed begonias can be left outside in a sheltered location. Indoors, angel wing begonias thrive as houseplants in a spot with strong, indirect sunlight -- from a north- or east-facing window. With bamboo-like stems, angel wing begonias produce clusters of fragrant blossoms in various shades of red, pink, orange or salmon. The large leaves are obliquely ovate, approximating the shape of an angel or bird wing. Often spotted with ruffled or serrated edges, the leaves of angel wing begonias make the plant decorative, even when it is not in bloom. Propagate angel wing begonia in spring or summer.
Fill a 3- to 4-inch-deep container -- with drainage holes -- with coarse sand or a germinating medium. You can make your own rooting medium by mixing 1 part sphagnum peat moss with 3 parts vermiculite or perlite.
Water the rooting medium thoroughly. Sphagnum peat moss can take a while to absorb water and become consistently moist. Repeat waterings until the sphagnum peat is moist throughout.
Take a 4- to 5-inch-long cutting from the tip of a cane of the angel wing begonia. The cutting taken from the last several inches of the cane is called a tip cutting. You can also take stem cuttings from the same cane. Because of the alternate leaf pattern of the angel wing begonia, a stem cutting is called a single eye, because the cutting needs to have only one leaf near the top of the cutting. Use a sharp knife to make your cut approximately one-quarter inch below a leaf node.
Remove leaves from the bottom two-thirds of the stem. One leaf at the tip or top portion of the cutting is enough for photosynthesis and root development.
Dip the cutting in rooting hormone, if desired, following the manufacturer's directions. This is not essential, but helps to ensure success with rooting cuttings.
Stick a pencil or stick into the rooting medium to a depth of approximately 2 inches.
Insert the cutting into the hole. Firm the soil around the cutting. Space cuttings approximately two inches apart. Water the pot after all cuttings are in place.
Place three dowel sticks, evenly spaced around the outside edges of the pot, or use two loops of coat-hanger wire that stretch from one side of the pot to the other and cross over each other above the tops of the cuttings in the pot. This creates a support for the plastic bag and keeps the plastic off the leaves.
Cover the pot with plastic wrap and secure the wrap in place with string or tape. Place the pot in bright light, out of direct sun.
Water the cuttings often enough to keep the growing medium moist but not wet.
Remove the angel wing begonia from its pot in late winter.
Grasp the root ball on a smaller plant and work the roots apart to separate groups of canes. Cut through the root ball of a larger plant with a sharp knife, making divisions between groups of canes.
Plant each division in fresh potting soil. Water the pots and set them on a tray of wet gravel or marbles to keep the area around the plants humid.
Make a diagonal slice halfway through an old leggy cane of the cane between leaf stalks.
Place a piece of a toothpick in the cut to keep it open.
Dip an artist's brush into rooting hormone, if desired, and brush rooting hormone on the open cut.
Form a 4- to 6-inch ball of moist sphagnum peat moss.
Wrap the ball of peat moss around the cut area of the cane. Cover the sphagnum moss with plastic wrap.
Use twist ties to hold the plastic in place at the top and the bottom of the ball.
Undo a twist tie to water the sphagnum moss to keep it moist during the four to six weeks it takes for the cane to root. Tie the plastic back after you've finished watering.
Sever the cane just below the cut area once roots develop. Pot your air-layered cutting in fresh soil.
Things You Will Need
- 3- to 4-inch-deep pot
- Coarse sand (optional)
- Sphagnum peat moss
- Perlite or vermiculite (optional)
- Sharp knife
- Pencil or stick
- Rooting hormone (optional)
- Dowel sticks or coat-hanger wire
- Plastic wrap
- String or tape
- Twist ties
- Artist brush (optional)
- Instead of plastic wrap, you can use a gallon-size resealable plastic bag to cover the pot.
- Clemson Cooperative Extension: Growing Begonias Indoors
- The New Western Sunset Garden Book; Kathleen Norris Brenzel, Editor
- The American Horticultural Society A to Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants; Christopher Brickell and Judith D. Zuk
- Easy Plant Propagation; Michael J. McGroarty
- University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service: Propagating Houseplants