Begonia tubers are available in many colours, flowers and shapes. They are also very versatile and can be planted in balconies, hanging baskets, patio containers and flower beds. Once established they also require minimum maintenance.
How to do it
- Begonia tubers can be started off indoors in a light room, conservatory or greenhouse.
- Plant the tubers in trays or pots with the hollow side up.
- Cover with no more than 1cm (1/4in) of soil or potting compost.
- Begonias prefer partial shade but do ensure they have plenty of light and air.
- The soil should be kept moist and regular watering in the evening is recommended.
- Remove flowers once they have wilted will encourage new flowers to growing and thus increase flowering time.
- During and after flowering (before the foliage has died down) begonias should be regularly fed with a high potash feed.
- After flowering allow the stems to die back, remove the dead foliage from the tuber and then remove the tuber from the soil and place into a light airy frost free room, conservatory or greenhouse.
- Allow the soil to drop off around the base of the tuber and once this has happened clean up the tuber and store in a cool, frost free area for the winter.
TIP: When growing in pots/containers the begonias can either be planted into the containers after starting off indoors or planted straight into containers and taken outside if desired after chances of frosts have passed.