How to Store Tuberous Begonias for Winter

Whether your tuberous begonias grow indoors or outdoors, all tuberous begonias go dormant. Dig out begonia tubers during this dormancy period to store them indoors over the winter months. Leaving the tubers outdoors will kill them because tuberous begonias are not frost hardy. Prepare the tuberous begonias for storage before the dormancy period by reducing their water gradually and discontinuing fertilizer use starting at the end of August.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

things you’ll need:

• Shovel
• Scissors
• Box or perforated bag
• Vermiculite, peat moss or sawdust

1. Remove all flower buds in September. This will encourage the tuberous begonia plants to go into dormancy. They will store up energy in the tuber, not in their flowers.
2. Dig up the begonia tubers, taking care not to injure them, after the foliage starts to turn yellow or after the first killing frost.
3. Cut the stems to a length of 5 inches. Place the tubes indoors, not in direct sunlight, where they can cure. When the stems become dry and loose, pull them off the tubers. Remove any roots and brush off soil attached to the tuber. Do not wash the tubers or they will rot.
4. Store your cleaned tubers in a cardboard box or perforated plastic bags. Inside the box or bag, add a 2-inch layer of vermiculite, peat moss or sawdust. On top of that, put a layer of begonia tubers. Cover this lightly with more packing material.
5. Place the container in a dark room that stays between 45 and 55 degrees F.

Tips & Warnings

• Check the tubers occasionally through the winter months. If they are beginning to shrivel, spray the packing material lightly with water.

• If the tuberous begonias are rooting, put your box in a drier location.