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Post by wildlifefriendly on Jan 18, 2011 17:03:47 GMT
I was given a begonia a couple of days ago and have no idea what to do with it. I don't know what type it is, all I was told is "it's got bootiful leaves, 'e'd like your garden"
It was dug out of a garden where it has been for the last few years. I've had a prod around in the soil and can feel a tuber. What should I do with it?
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Post by peony on Jan 18, 2011 19:30:36 GMT
I've been growing begonias for some years WF but I always dig them up after the first frosts have blackened the foliage, dry them off in the greenhouse (the stems drop off), and then overwinter them in dry soil in the greenhouse. I usually start them off in the propagator in February in trays of compost. When they have shoots about 1" pot them up, just covering the top of the tuber and grow on until May when they can be planted out in the garden. If your tuber is very large, it can be divided once you can see the shoots with a sharp knife providing each piece has a shoot. Dust the cut with suphur powder and pot up in the usual way. They grow and flower well in shade.
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Post by Geranium on Jan 18, 2011 19:35:46 GMT
If the tuber feels firm, it's probably still alive I hope! They're not hardy, so don't hold your breath. Good luck!
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Post by wildlifefriendly on Jan 18, 2011 20:28:52 GMT
I'll clean the rest of the soil off tomorrow and see what it looks like. I need more plants that don't mind the shade so I'll put a little effort into this one.
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Post by peony on Jan 18, 2011 20:35:27 GMT
I was given a begonia a couple of days ago and have no idea what to do with it. I don't know what type it is, all I was told is " it's got bootiful leaves, 'e'd like your garden"It was dug out of a garden where it has been for the last few years. I've had a prod around in the soil and can feel a tuber. What should I do with it? On re-reading your post WF, I'm wondering whether your tuber is a foliage rather then a flowering one. Some have beautiful variagated foliage. |
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Post by wildlifefriendly on Jan 18, 2011 20:55:13 GMT
That would be good, I have a few in the conservatory with stunning foliage, they do produce tiny pink flowers but it's the leaf shape and colours I like.
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Post by peony on Jan 18, 2011 21:04:49 GMT
Years ago when I visited the GW show at Birmingham, the Begonia Society had a stand with some elderly gentlemen tending it, and they had the most wonderful display of foliage plants, with every colour possible. They were the ones who told me how to divide begonias.
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Post by Geranium on Jan 18, 2011 21:06:59 GMT
A Begonia rex wouldn't have been grown outside though, would it? Too tender, I'd have thought.
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Post by wildlifefriendly on Jan 18, 2011 21:47:54 GMT
If the tuber is OK it will be a surprise for all of us.
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Post by Geranium on Jan 18, 2011 22:10:19 GMT
Certainly will!  |
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Post by wildlifefriendly on Jan 19, 2011 15:43:36 GMT
I cleaned all the soil off and it certainly surprised me. I was expecting one tuber about the size of a medium potato but this is what I found.  I binned any which were not solid. What do I do with them now? |
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Post by esther on Jan 19, 2011 15:46:13 GMT
I usually nestle my begonias in a tray of compost until they start sprouting Put them somewhere light and warm if possible |
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Post by Lou78W on Jan 19, 2011 16:15:33 GMT
You got lots of babies there WF  |
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Post by wildlifefriendly on Jan 19, 2011 16:30:22 GMT
Do you think there was a big one that has rotted?
I'll put them in compost tomorrow and leave them on a windowsill.
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Post by Lou78W on Jan 19, 2011 16:33:31 GMT
Its possible WF.....also....if they've been in the ground for a few years.and undisturbed...they will have made babies like mad....a bit like crocosmia do...
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