Growing Begonias From Corms

First, always plant begonia corms concave side up (depression on top) either slightly above or level with the compost/soil surface. Gently push the corms into place and once planted, water thoroughly. Make sure, however, that water does not sit in the depression of the corms, as this could lead to rotting.

When should you start begonia tubers?

START BEGONIA TUBERS 8 to 12 WEEKS BEFORE THE LAST FROST

Use your growing zone to find the proper date for starting the tubers indoors.

How long do begonia corms take to grow?

It takes 12 to 14 weeks for a tuberous begonia to bloom after the tubers are planted, so most gardeners like to start their begonias indoors eight weeks before the last frost date or even sooner. You can grow tuberous begonias in any pot that has drainage holes and is large enough to fit the bulb.

How do I sprout begonia tubers?

Sprouts emerge from inside the cupped area and roots form on all sides of the tuber. For best results, encourage the tubers to sprout before planting them in pots or in the garden. Put them in a warm (70°F) area with indirect light. Small red buds will appear within a few weeks, followed by sprouts.

What month do you plant begonia bulbs?

Starting Begonias. Purchase tubers (bulbs) by mid winter. Since begonias need to be planted in early spring, the best time to find a good selection is during the winter.

Can I save my begonias for next year?

The tubers can be saved over the winter and planted again the next spring for another year of showy color. Take the following steps to save your potted tuberous begonia tubers: ... Place in a dry, cool storage area (a basement or garage) and allow the tubers to cure for several weeks.

Can I leave my begonias in pots over winter?

Overwintering Tuberous Begonias

Tuberous begonias should be dug up and stored indoors during winter until the return of warmer weather in spring. ... Pot-grown begonia plants can be stored in their containers as long as they remain dry. They should also be relocated to a protected area that's cool, dark and dry.

Are coffee grounds good for begonias?

(soil free is best) Outdoors, growing begonias means adding lots of organic matter to the soil. Begonias benefit from an acidic soil, which the peat moss gives it. Adding some used coffee grounds to the soil will work wonders for begonias.

What can be planted with begonias?

5 Companion Planting Ideas for Begonias

Ferns & Begonias Collection. You may or may not know this by now, but I love ferns! ...
Red, White and Blue Shade Garden. Red, white and blue is a famous color combination. ...
Golden Glory Shade Garden. ...
Twilight and Light Shade Garden. ...
Peppy Shade Garden Collection.

Do begonias come back every year?

Are begonias a perennial plant or an annual flower? There are no perennial begonias. There are forms that make great houseplants and will grow year-round indoors, but outdoors the plants are all unable to tolerate frost.

Can you split begonia tubers?

Begonia tubers increase in size each year and after three years or so, the flower display will begin to deteriorate. It's best to divide the tubers in the early spring, after the buds have begun to swell. Use a sharp knife and divide into as many pieces as you like, as long as each piece has at least one bud on it.

How do you keep begonias blooming?

The best way to encourage begonias to produce more flowers is to care for them regularly. ProFlowers has some suggestions for indoor care; to begin with, keep your begonia in a spot with full to partial morning sunlight, with a temperature of about 65 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit.

Can you plant begonias in the ground?

Tuberous begonias can be grown in the ground under trees or in shady parts of your garden, or in containers placed in shady areas of your porch, patio, or yard.

Where should I plant begonias?

Where to Plant Begonias. Wax begonias do best in part shade, particularly during the summer months, but will do well in full sun when planted over the winter as a perennial. Use these compact plants in borders and/or to mass plant in a flower bed. For best results plant begonias in rich, moist, well-drained soil.

How far apart do you plant begonias?

Plant wax begonia transplants 6 to 8 inches apart and others according to their mature size. Tubers can be started indoors by placing the tubers, hollow side up, 1 inch apart in a shallow tray with moist potting mix.

Should I deadhead begonias?

do not require deadheading to thrive. ... However, if you want to clean up your begonias a bit faster than nature does, or if you want to encourage the plant to produce more stems, you should get into the habit of deadheading. Examine a begonia every one to three days to look for faded flowers.

Are begonias poisonous to dogs?

Begonia: A popular and versatile summer plant, these will cause intense burning and irritation in the mouth if eaten by dogs or cats. Ingestion will also cause excessive drooling, vomiting and possibly make your pet have difficulty swallowing. ... In stark contrast, they are not toxic to dogs.

What does a tuberous begonia look like?

An orange tuberous begonia. Tuberous begonias are popular for their beautiful flowers that come in a variety of colors and forms. Red, orange, yellow, white, salmon and pink blooms may be single or double and may be plain, ruffled or toothed. Their petals may have margins, crests or blotches of contrasting color.

Can I keep geraniums in pots over winter?

To overwinter geraniums, bring them indoors prior to frost. If you are growing them in a tub or container and time is at a premium (as it usually is in fall), simply drag the entire pot indoors where they should keep for a few weeks while you tend to other more pressing garden chores.

What is the lowest temperature begonias can tolerate?

Like many other plants native to tropical and subtropical regions, begonias (Begonia spp.) don't do well with cool temperatures. The American Begonia Society considers 55 degrees Fahrenheit the lower end of begonias' comfort zone, though some hybrids may be more cold-tolerant.

Can begonias live indoors?

Generally, fibrous and rhizomatous begonias make excellent houseplants while tuberous begonias can be grown as houseplants but have a harder time surviving due to the need for higher humidity and light than the other two kinds. ... Begonias grown indoors are especially susceptible to root rot and overwatering.

What to do with begonias after flowering?

Overwintering Begonias is easy:

Dig up the entire plant with foliage still attached before the hard frosts set in. ...
With a sharp knife, cut away any diseased parts of the tuber.
Leave it to dry in a frost-free and sunny place for 1 week.
Remove the foliage by gently teasing the stems from the tuber.