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Begonia tuber help

redandblack_ukredandblack_uk Posts: 22
in Plants
hi. I put my tubers in a tray to wake them up and they’ve started sprouting nicely. Was going to pot them up and cover with compost this weekend. One seems to have developed a leaf? Maybe? Is it ok to carry on as planned or should I cut the leaf off or...? Sorry. Newbie to gardening! 

Posts

  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    Nooo - leave the leaf alone - it's trying to grow.
    When you re-pot, keep the tuber at the same level.
    If you cover it with compost it'll rot, the tuber should be on the surface and stay on the surface as it is now.
    It's looking fine
    Good luck

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • redandblack_ukredandblack_uk Posts: 22
    Brilliant thank you 😊 the internet tells me lots of different info it’s confusing 😂
  • Dirty HarryDirty Harry Posts: 1,048
    Can these not be covered with a thin layer of compost? Internet seems to be pretty conflicting.
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    The logic behind it is that the top of the tuber has a depression. If that's covered with compost it'll remain damp and could rot the tuber, and water will sit in it.
    I haven't grown them for years, but I used to and I can't recall having any issues using that method.

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • Dirty HarryDirty Harry Posts: 1,048
    Cheers.

    Do you give the compost a watering when doing this or just leave it dry?

  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    Yes, the compost should be moist as the fibrous roots produced by the tuber will want to get growing

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • redandblack_ukredandblack_uk Posts: 22
    Update: all growing really well :)  left begonia a little proud of compost and avoiding getting crown wet and watering when compost is dry.   :)
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    They're looking good! :)

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
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