While it might seem too early to get started on spring planting, there’s one garden plant that needs to get started during winter for spring planting; tuberous begonias and the tubers just arrived at the garden center. As the name implies these begonias grow from tubers rather than seeds or cuttings like other begonias. They sport showy flowers that come in a wide range of sizes and colors. There are even hanging varieties. Besides being a great choice for planting in flowerbeds, tuberous begonias are happy to grow in containers that you can place about the shady patio or balcony.
Since tuberous begonias are slow to start, it’s best to start them indoors and the earlier the better. It’s also a great winter activity for the northeastern gardener who’s yearning for the feel of soil and the sight of something…anything that’s growing.
To make a good show in the garden, you’ll want to start several begonias. Choose pots that are an inch or so larger than the begonia tuber. Fill the pots with a good potting soil. When you’re picking out your tubers at the garden center, you’ll notice that the lumpy round tubers are domed on one side and slightly dished on the other. Starting them is a snap. Simply nestle each tuber into the soil, dished side up, into your pot or tray just barely below the surface of the soil. You should cover the top of the tuber but not with more than a half of an inch of soil.
Water with room temperature water. Make sure the container you’re using has a drainage hole. Begonias will rot easily if kept too moist. After the initial watering, keep the soil just lightly moist. Don’t water again until the soil is actually dry an inch below the surface. Poke your finger in to check. Depending on the variety you’ve chosen, sprouts will appear from one to five weeks after planting and watering. Once the first shoots appear, make sure that you keep the soil from drying out; still avoiding sogginess since begonia tubers can rot easily if kept too moist. Frequent light watering is best.
They’ll need lots of bright light but no direct sunlight. Once they start growing, you can speed them along with HALF strength balanced (20-20-20) liquid or soluble plant food every three weeks.
Once ALL danger of frost has passed in spring (mid-May) you can transplant them into their summer bed or outdoor planter. Remember, they prefer shade so make sure they don’t get direct sunlight. A couple of hours of morning sun won’t hurt them but avoid full afternoon sun completely. Now all they need is a little of the liquid plant food every couple of weeks and regular removal of spent flowers and they’ll just go and go.
Since begonia tubers are quite tender, you’ll want to lift them from the soil to store them over winter. Do this immediately after the first frost nips them in fall. Snip off all the stems and place the tubers on a sheet of newspaper to dry. Brush off any loose soil and dust them with a good bulb dust to help prevent mold. Once they’ve had a couple of days to dry off, place them into a shoebox of dry potting soil for winter storage. Store them in a cool place that won’t freeze. Get them out next winter about this time and start all over again. Give tuberous begonias a try. They’re easy to start and you’ll have fun playing in the dirt as we wait for the frozen world outside to thaw.
Thanks for the read.
