I would love some hints on propagating by leaf as this is a first for me.

I just got some cuttings of this gorgeous Rex begonia.



This is a first for me. I have followed directions of an online tutorial. I only have a small trimmed part of two leaves. I hope it works!


They are being tented in a small plastic box

That should work. I always take the leaf and on the underside of the leaf, with a sharp knife, cut across one of the big "veins". Then, pin the leaf to the soil with hair pins so the sliced vein touches the top of the soil. New plants will form at the cut. Works every time for me.

The leaves are rotting!

Take the lids off...I only cover mine loosely if at all.

It's not looking very promising. I might have to ask for a new leaf from my friend.

Perhaps you can move the leaves to a dryer growing medium. Begonias do well if they are thoroughly watered and then left until the soil is almost dry about half way to two thirds down in the pot. My rex begonia does very well if I drench the soil which drains quickly, then I do not water again until it is quite dry. The stems are able to store water kinda like a succulent. Let the leaves get dry but not too dry and just mist them as needed. You could try using a moisture meter to check for dryness.

So far my leaves which are cut into pieces and placed into peat moss are ok. I watered the pete moss placed the container into a slightly opened clear container and have just misted them occasionally.