How to Replant Begonias

Tuberous begonias bloom in colors such as pink.

Begonias come in many varieties and some are hardier than others. The type of begonia known as tuberous begonia is a perennial that's tender to frost. If you grow it in a region that normally freezes in the winter, you have two options: Dig the begonia, discard the top and store the tuberous root until spring -- or let it die in the winter and plant a new one in spring. If you choose the first alternative, prime the tuber for a new season outside prior to replanting it.

Things You'll Need

• Seed flat
• Peat moss
• Water
• Spray bottle
• Planters, 5-inch

Instructions

1. Fill a seed flat with peat moss in late winter to early spring.

2. Get your begonia tubers out of storage. Look at each one individually to locate the side of the tuber that's sunken. Keep this side up.

3. Plant the tubers barely under the growing medium with their hollow side up.

4. Moisten the peat moss lightly so there's no excess water in the flat or inside the sunken side of the begonia tubers.

5. Place the flat in indirect sunlight all day and where the temperature stays at 70 degrees F. Spray the peat moss with water to moisten it completely whenever the surface begins to feel dry. Keep the begonia tubers undisturbed until they've sprouted new roots and a new stalk.

6. Repot the begonia tubers individually in 5-inch planters when their stems reach 1 inch in height. Continue to use peat moss or another well-drained potting mix. Place the tubers under the growing medium, but keep the plants' stalks above the surface. Moisten the soil until water drains from the planters' holes whenever the surface becomes dry. Place the planters where they get direct light six to eight hours a day. Install a grow lamp 6 inches above the plants, if you can't provide enough natural light.

7. Begin to harden the begonia plants two weeks before you expect the last frost in your region. Ask the staff at a local nursery or call your cooperative extension office if you don't know what that date is. Put the plants outside and take them back in before evening every day. Start out by setting the pots in a shaded location. Expose the begonias to more hours of sun each day.

8. Transplant the young begonia plants to the ground after the risk of frost has passed. Select a site that drains well and offers mid-day shade. Plant the tubers at the same depth they were in the container. Give them 1 inch of water at planting.

References

• Clemson University Cooperative Extension: Begonia
• University of Minnesota Extension Service: Tuberous Begonias