How to Care for Tuberous Begonias

For a brilliant color variety, tuberous begonias are a good choice. Color choices include orange, yellow, pink, red, salmon and shades of white. Tuberous begonias produce double blooms up to 6 inches wide that will bloom all summer. Begonias are available as bedding plants, but tuberous begonias are available as a bulb. The tuber looks like a lump of soil with a hollow side and a concave side. Tuberous begonias are started indoors before spring planting.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Small pots
• Potting soil
• Gloves
• Hand shovel

Instructions

1. Select only tubers that are firm with no soft spots. Additionally, select the tubers that have small white roots showing on the concave side.

2. Fill pots with soil and add one tuber with the hollow side facing up, out of the soil, approximately two months before the last frost. Lightly cover with soil. Do not plant the tubers too deep, as they will rot.

3. Water the tubers very well. Place the pots in a bright location that stays approximately 60 degrees F. Do not water again until new growth is showing in the soil. Water regularly after new growth to keep the soil moist. Do not allow the tubers to sit in water. Fertilize with a half-strength liquid fertilizer after the plants reach 3 inches.

4. Transplant the begonias outdoors in a partial- to full-shade location when the stems reach 6 inches or after any danger of frost is over. Water regularly.

5. Pinch off all stems from the plant except the three main stems. This produces a fuller plant without leggy stems sticking out. Pinch off any dead blooms to encourage new growth.

6. Dig the tubers up in late fall and lay them in a shady area for about one week. When the leaves are dead, cut all growth and rub the dry soil and roots off. Do not get wet. Place the tubers in pantyhose and hang in a dry area until spring.

References

• Caring for tuberous begonias