Ribbon flowers, also known as Five-colored Begonia, are beloved for their vibrant colors and diverse varieties, blooming from spring to summer. To cultivate ribbon flowers successfully, it's essential to master the propagation techniques. Below, we introduce the methods for propagating ribbon flowers:
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Cutting Propagation: During summer, select healthy ribbon flower branches and cut them into 12-14cm sections for insertion into soil, keeping them moist. Use younger branches during rainy seasons, around 16cm long, ensuring sterilization before planting to improve survival rates.
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Division Propagation: Typically conducted in early spring or autumn, dig out and divide potted plants into several sections, then replant them in suitable locations. In spring (March), use mature branches for cutting, while in summer (June-July), use newly grown shoots.
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Layering Propagation: Suitable for any time of the year, press branches from the back of flower clusters into the soil for layering propagation. This method takes advantage of the natural bending of ribbon flower branches, promoting easy survival.
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Seed Propagation: Harvest fruits in September-October, dry and crush them to obtain seeds. Soak seeds in cold water for 2-3 hours before germination. Sow seeds in well-moistened soil beds, keeping the surface moist for about 30 days until seedlings emerge.
Throughout the growth stages, regularly weed and eliminate pests. Seed propagation has a longer growth period and is suitable for mass reproduction.
These are the various methods for propagating ribbon flowers, with cutting propagation being the most common due to its high success rate. Typically, cuttings can flower within 2-3 years.
