Begonia Care – Dormant Tubers
November 07 2014 | Posted in Begonia Care, Begonia Tips, Dormant Tubers
Begonia Care – Dormant Tubers
How To Prepare Your Begonia Bulbs for Dormancy??
Begonia tubers may be grown successfully for many years if given proper care. When blooms on your begonia plants begin to decrease and the foliage turns pale and yellow, dormancy is approaching. The time of year when this occurs will depend on the climate. In most places it will be October but in temperate regions, where the nights are warm, plants may be delayed until December. Watering should be discontinued at this time.
- If you have been growing in a warm greenhouse, plants in autumn should be moved to an unheated greenhouse or outdoors. Leaves and stems will fall off the begonia plant and should be removed before they decay. At this stage stop watering, allowing soil to dry.
- In climates where soil may freeze, ??tubers in ground should now be dug and washed free of soil. If a portion of the stem remains attached to the tuber, leave it on temporarily. After a week or ten days of storage it will naturally detach itself. Cutting it or breaking it off may??damage the tuber.
- If a tuber is cut or bruised in digging, expose it to the sun and air. It will heal itself. Tubers may be badly cut and still grow well next season.
- In climates where soil does not freeze; tubers may be left in the ground.
- Begonia tubers grown??in pots, they do not have to be removed. Turn pots on their side and store them in a dry, non-freezing??location.
- Tubers must be completely dried before storage , whether they have been washed or not. The best method is to place them in the sun or any dry, well ventilated location. This will allow excess moisture to evaporate and takes about two weeks. Make sure any remaining??stems have fallen off or can easily be removed before storing.
- Store dry tubers in single layers trays, shallow boxes, paper or net bags in a dry area between 38-50??F for winter. If desired, cover them with dry peat or clean, dry sand.