I think that would be best Jean, water may drip from the lid and you need to keep the inside of the corm dry, only water the soil around the edge., lightly, just damp. We have had our corms for at least 10 years.
Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor.
I've had great results with my begonia tubers for the last two years. They were in pots and come the first frosts I lifted them, dusted them off and wrapped them well in newspaper. I just put them back in their pots under a little compost out in their growing position once frosts gone and they've done beautifully. Even last year with all that rain. So I'm going to leave my tubers sleeping for a bit longer.
Just went to get peat compost (which of course is no longer available) to lay my begonia tubers in. Lady in garden centre recommended multi purpose and said not to bother with bringing them on in trays. Providing I had sheltered spot (underneath a leanto canopy?) to plant them directly into their baskets!
I haven't checked on them since before Christmas and assuming they are okay I'm soooo tempted rather than plants on every spare bit of space in every room. What do my mentors think?
They are still wrapped up in newspaper in the utility room at present. It's cold enough in there never mind outside! Think I'll be guided by you guys and leave them be until I see shoots then start to bring them on, before putting them outside.
I've just checked some of them. They look perfectly healthy but are still totally dormant so I've taken them into one of the spare bedrooms to warm up a bit.
I may regret asking this but why do you squeeze them?
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Thanks for the advice , Lyn - I've taken them out of the propagator now.
Just went to get peat compost (which of course is no longer available) to lay my begonia tubers in. Lady in garden centre recommended multi purpose and said not to bother with bringing them on in trays. Providing I had sheltered spot (underneath a leanto canopy?) to plant them directly into their baskets!
I haven't checked on them since before Christmas and assuming they are okay I'm soooo tempted rather than plants on every spare bit of space in every room. What do my mentors think?
I think it it is too cold outside yet-they are just sitting there in cold damp compost-not happy
I think you could well not get anything except rot
They really do need a touch of warmth
They are still wrapped up in newspaper in the utility room at present. It's cold enough in there never mind outside! Think I'll be guided by you guys and leave them be until I see shoots then start to bring them on, before putting them outside.
Thanks once again for your advice.
Unwrap them, squeeze them, and lay them on shallow compost in the near future.
Sounds like the opening of a 1960's song
Must have danced around my handbag to that!!
I've just checked some of them. They look perfectly healthy but are still totally dormant so I've taken them into one of the spare bedrooms to warm up a bit.
I may regret asking this but why do you squeeze them?
To make sure the corms aren't soft ie rotten
Pop them in some shallow compost in a seed tray Carol and then in spare room. The buds will appear but will be slow. Mine are in my spare room
Good luck