Tuberous Begonias

November 15, 2024 Post a Comment

Tuberous begonias

This results in at least four months of blooms a year and if looked after properly, they will come back year after year so one purchase will give years of enjoyment in your garden. Begonias are extremely versatile and can be used in different ways.

Do tuberous begonias like sun or shade?

Once you have plants, choose a site for tuberous begonias that is somewhat protected from wind, where the soil is well-drained, and plants will be shaded during most of the day. Early morning and late afternoon sun will not harm them, but they need good indirect or dappled light at other times.

What do you do with tuberous begonias in the winter?

Place a layer of peat moss, vermiculite, or sawdust in a small cardboard box. Lay the tubers on the storage medium, then cover the tubers with additional peat, vermiculite, or sawdust. Store the tubers in an area with a temperature of 40 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Do not allow the tubers to freeze.

What is the difference between begonia and tuberous begonia?

Gently dig up your begonia and take a look at the roots. Fibrous-rooted begonias will look stringy; rhizomatous will have creeping surface stems and roots; and tuberous begonias have a round, flattened brown tuber that looks, well, a lot like a cow pie!

Can I leave my begonias in pots over winter?

Can you overwinter begonias in pots? Yes, you can overwinter begonias in pots. Fibrous types can be kept as a houseplant, while tuberous varieties should be stored dormant in a cool, dark location. Overwintering begonias is easy, and it's a great way to save your favorite varieties every year.

How do I save my begonias for next year?

Put them on screen trays or pack them in dry peat, sawdust, sand or other insulating material. Store tubers in a dry, dark, cool (above freezing) area. In the spring, start begonia plants by placing the tubers on damp peat moss in a warm environment.

Do begonias do better in pots or in the ground?

Begonias prefer growing in light, rich soil with a good concentration of humus, similar to the makeup of potting soil. So it's no surprise the plants tend to thrive in containers. Begonias planted in a pot should be spaced 4-6″ apart and with the tubers buried hollow-side up.

Should you deadhead tuberous begonias?

Removing dead flowers reduces the chance of infection from diseases if the fallen flowers remain on the ground or the container soil surface. Cutting back leggy growth on overgrown begonia stems rejuvenates the plant into producing new healthy growth.

How do you keep tuberous begonias blooming?

11 Tips to Keep Your Begonias Blooming all Season Long

1 Water, But Not Too Much.
2 Give Them Adequate Sun.
3 Use Light Soil.
4 Fertilize Them Regularly.
5 Use a High Quality Compost.
6 Deadhead When Needed.
7 Choose The Right Varieties.
8 Pick a Proper Location.

Should begonias be cut back in winter?

The begonia foliage should be trimmed back, and the tubers can be dried and stored in a cool, dry location through winter, just as canna or dahlia bulbs are stored. Fibrous rooted and rhizomatous begonias do not die back once a year like tuberous begonias.

How cold can tuberous begonias tolerate?

Most species of begonias can be damaged by temperatures lower than 45 or 50 degrees.

How do you stop tuberous begonias from getting leggy?

Put begonias in a spot where they'll get plenty of bright light to keep them from getting leggy, but little to no direct sun. Give them moist, light soil with plenty of organic matter, and make sure it is well drained. There are many types of tuberous begonias, all of them gorgeous.

How do I know if I have tuberous begonias?

Tuberous Begonia Leaves They can be double or single petaled, frilled and a variety of colors. The leaves of a tuberous begonia are oval and green and grow about eight inches long. They are in a compact habit like a little bonsai shrub and grow from swollen soft stems.

Can you plant begonia tubers straight into pots?

The tubers need to be planted in trays or pots with the hollow side up and covered with no more than 1cm of potting compost. The compost should be kept moist but not too wet. After the threat of all frost has gone (late April, early May) the tubers can be planted outside.

How long do tuberous begonias live?

No begonia has a long life span. Most only live for 2 to 3 years, even with good care.

Do tuberous begonias need to go dormant?

REQUIRES winter dormancy. This means you need to begin in fall by reducing the water to the plants until the tops have died back and the soil is completely dry. Once the plant has gone completely dormant most gardeners remove the tuber from the soil. The tuber is usually found where the stems meet the ground.

Can you bring begonia plants inside for the winter?

Fibrous-rooted begonias make great house plants over the winter, as do the rhizomatous types (such as Rex begonias), which are grown primarily for their foliage. All you really need is a little space and a bright window, and these types of begonias will continue to grow (and possibly even bloom!)

Can I grow tuberous begonias indoors?

Begonia tubers can also be started inside a terrarium. Though begonias like humidity, avoid overwatering. Wet soil can cause the tubers to rot. Once the first leaves appear, move the pots to a warm sunny windowsill or put them under grow lights.

What to do with begonias at end of season?

At the end of the growing season, simply put the entire plant in your compost pile. If you want to save the begonia tubers and replant them next spring, here's how to do it: Begonias that are in containers can be moved indoors before the first frost. Stop watering and allow the foliage to yellow and die back.