I've never heard of not giving cuttings light but then who knows. If you have plenty of cuttings, you could experiment - put some under lights and some in total darkness, and the rest in dim light and see which does the best. I would think the ones with the highest light levels would do the best (no direct sun though).

Seeds are a different matter. Most seed is covered but there is some seed where the instructions are "Do Not Cover - Needs Light to Germinate".

Ok, I might try experimenting the next time I propagate a rex. I have three now! Escargot, Atlanta Jazz and one unidentified one. For now, I want to know that I can do this, succeed at bring up new plantlets. Loni

I don't know how strictly it's enforced, but Escargot is a patented plant and it's not supposed to be propagated. Some people say it's been around a lot longer and only got named and patented much later. I usually prop plants a lot and give them to my friends, but I haven't tried this one for that reason. Mostly I think you're just not supposed to sell them.

I'm not selling them. I live in a bush village in AK. We've formed a small network of people who share plants with each other. I thought I'd share escargot as people here have never seen it before. Its thought to be exotic and new which it is. I didn't know about the propagation rule. Oh well, leaf cutting don't look to be taking anyway. I did stick my atlanta jazz in there and it looks to be happy. If THAT lives, then I have plants to share anyway. Thanks for the tip.

escargot is very hard to propagate.i went to a plant club last night.and the speaker said they don't even try.that's how hard they are suppose to be .lol

I wanted to try that to with the Escargot this year. I have never tryied it before with the leaves. Go to Brads Begonia world.
www.bradsbegoniaworld.com/ -

This is what I pulled up and he has good instructions on how to make starts on all Begonias. Let me know if the Escargot makes it.
I have never heard of the propagating rule either.
Its not in my Rule Book. LOL!!!

My propagation experiment didn't take. Escargot all turned to mush and my atlanta jazz dried up. Boo hoo. I will experiment again another time. I love all kinds of begonias, they don't seem to love me back though.