The tuberous begonia derives its name from the fact that it grows from a bulb-like structure known as a tuber. The tubers require a period of dormancy over the winter, yet rot if allowed to freeze and thaw. Therefore, growers save their tuberous begonias by digging them up and storing them over the winter.
- Difficulty:
- Easy
Instructions
things you’ll need:
- Sharp scissors or pruning shears
- Small paintbrush
- Newspapers
- Fungicide powder
- Sawdust or peat moss
- Box or other container
- Withhold fertilizer and decrease watering to half what you normally provide in the fall. The tuberous begonia leaves will wilt and turn yellow, and then brown.
- Wait until after the first hard frost to cut the stem to the surface of the soil and gently remove the tuber from the soil.
- Lay the tuber on newspapers to dry in a cool (50 degrees Fahrenheit), draft-free area for three weeks.
- Brush the soil from the tuber and cut of the stem and trim the roots to the tuber. Do not cut into the tuber.
- Use a small paintbrush to dust all surfaces of the tuber with a powdered fungicide.
- Place a 2- to 3-inch layer of dry peat moss or sawdust on the bottom of a box and lay the tuber on top. If saving more than one tuberous begonia tuber, place them in a single layer and do not allow them to touch one another.
- Do not cover the box and leave it in an area with a temperature that remains within 2 or 3 degrees above or below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
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