How to Dig and Store Tuberous Begonias

Tuberous begonias have magnificent flowers. To keep them growing year after year, the tubers must be dug from the ground and stored during cold weather. Fleshy begonia tubers will rot if left to over-winter outdoors.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

things you’ll need:

• Sulfur Powder
• Newspaper
• Newspaper
• shower head nozzle
• spading fork or shovel
• hose
• paper box or nursery flats

1. Dig up around the perimeter of the foliage (called the "drip line") with a shovel or spading fork after the foliage has turned brown in the fall.
2. Lift the clump of soil gently and lay it in a protected sunny location until the foliage dries completely. Make sure the tubers receive no water during the drying process.
3. Cut away the foliage and wash the excess soil off of the tubers, using a shower head nozzle (not a jet sprayer). Be careful not to damage the outer skin.
4. Lay the prepared tubers on sheets of newspaper in a single layer. Allow them to air dry in a sunny location for one week.
5. Dust the prepared tubers with sulfur powder to prevent fungus disease and rot. Sulfur powder is available at nursery supply stores.
6. Store tubers in a cool, dark, dry location. The tubers can be stored in single layers in a cardboard box or nursery flats lined with newspaper.
7. Plant again in spring after the soil has warmed.

Tips & Warnings

• Begonias are shallow rooted. You don’t need to dig deeply to remove them from the soil. Just tip them up gently and lay them on their side.

• Tuberous begonias planted in containers may be stored in their pots as long as they receive no water. Allow the soil to dry prior to storing. Lay pots on their side in a cool, dry location and bring out again in April or May.

• These plants thrive in containers, hanging baskets and flower beds throughout the summer months.

• Be very careful not to damage the tubers while digging. Discard any that have been nicked or cut.

• Sulfur powder is used as an organic fungicide. Wear a protective mask and gloves while handling.