CUTTINGS OF LEAVES. 



71 



It is sim- 

 down by 



whole leaf may be used, as shown in Fig. 78. 

 ply laid upon moist sand in a frame and held 

 splinters thrust through the 

 ribs. The wound made by 

 the peg induces the forma- 

 tion of roots, and a young 

 plant arises. A half dozen 

 or more plants can be ob- 

 tained from one leaf Some 

 operators cut oflF the ribs, 

 instead of wounding them 

 with a prick. Many gar- 

 deners prefer to divide the 

 leaf into two nearly equal 

 parts, and then set each 

 part, or the better one, up- 

 right in the soil, the severed 

 edge being covered. This 

 is shown in Fig. 79. Fewer 

 plants — often only one — are 

 obtained in this manner, but 

 they are strong. 



When stock is scarce the begonia leaf may be cut into 

 several fan-shaped pieces. The whole leaf may be divided 

 into as many triangular portions as can be secured with a 

 portion of the petiole, a strong rib, or a vein attached at the 

 base ; these pieces, inserted and treated like coleus cuttings, 

 will root and make good plants within a reasonable time, 

 say six months. This form of cutting should be two to 

 three inches long by an inch or inch and one-half wide. 

 Ordinarily, in this style of leaf cutting, the petiole or stalk is 

 cut off close to the leaf and the lower third or fourth of the 

 leaf is then cut off by a nearly straight cut across the leaf. 

 This somewhat triangular base is then cut into as many 

 wedge-shaped pieces as there are ribs in the leaf, each rib 

 forming the center of a cutting. The point of each cutting 

 should contain a, portion of the petiole, The points of these 



So. Begonia plant starting from 

 a triangular leaf cutting (x%). 



