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Begonia tubers
Guernsey Donkey2
Posts: 6,713
in Talkback
The garden centres are now selling begonia tubers, with illustrations of beautiful plants full of flowers. We have purchased these during the past two winter/spring seasons, planted them out in pots in April, but our success rate has been poor, mostly the tubers just haven't grown at all - can you give us some ideas on how to get a good plant - and do you over winter the died back plants in their pots or take them out to dry lay dormant until next spring?
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I wonder if you have planted them upside-down Rosie? It seems counter-intuitive, but the depression in the tuber is actually the top of it, and the rounded side is the base. They also don't like being planted too deeply, so worth trying again. The tubers can be dried off and used each year, but they are a bit on the tender side, so planting them out in April may not help, I would suggest planting them in the early spring either indoors or under glass in a greenhouse (which I have done successfully) and then, as they come into growth harden them off before placing them outside.
I haven't grown them for a few years tbh so maybe someone else has different experiences/ideas.
I find Begonia plug plants grow very well, the Illumination series or the Dragon's Wing ones are great in pots. I buy them online.
I may try your suggestion Shrinking Violet and plant them in pots in the cold frame to get them started and then put outside in position when the weather has warmed up sufficiently.