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Begonia, the Colourful Shade Lover

By Jos Van Hage

There are very few outdoor shade loving flowers more beautiful than the ‘Tuberous Begonia’. Depending on variety some of the flowers span 4-6 inches across, and come in single, double, or ruffled and all come in a wide range of colors. There are many different varieties, which have been divided into various groups depending on flower and leaf type. For example, the Begonia x camellia types has large double flowers that are never ruffled and look like camellias. They are also known as roseform and are one of the more popular groups. ‘Frimbriata’ are the carnation type and this type has big double flowers, which have a fringed edge and look like a carnation. The ‘Begonia x crispa marginata’, are pretty as they have large mostly double flowers where the flower edges have a distinct different color from the main color. The ‘Pendula’ types are the hanging types that make wonderful hanging baskets. Stems and flowers are pendulous and flowers come in various sizes as well as single, double, or semi-double. These are just some of the different types.

The most common and easy way to grow tuberous begonias is by planting a tuber in February. Tubers are now available in the garden centers and for the best selection you should shop early. When buying tubers you want to choose a large sized tuber because the bigger the tuber the bigger the plant and more flowers. When choosing a tuber pick one that is firm with no sign of rot or damage. Plant the tuber in a good quality, light, well drained, potting soil. Use 4-inch peat pots as these can be replanted into a larger pot or outdoors without damaging the plant roots. Do not plant the tuber deep into the pot but rather ½ an inch below the soil surface. Plant with the hollow side of the tuber facing up, as this is the top of the bulb where the plants leaf will grow. To get the plant started give it a good drench of water around the tuber not on the tuber as you do not want water to sit in the hollow of the bulb causing it to rot. After this only water, the tuber when the soil becomes dry until the tuber shows signs of growth, which is when you keep the soil, moist but not soggy. Give the tuber plenty of light by placing it in a sunny windowsill or under a grow light, and temperatures should be 17-20 Celsius. For the best growing conditions place the planted tuber in a mini greenhouse or put clear plastic over the top of the pot and then as soon as the pink eyes appear on the bulb remove the plastic or greenhouse. Some tubers are faster than others are, so you can expect to wait 5-6 weeks for some tubers to show signs of growth but once they start to grow, they grow quickly. They can be transplanted into a larger pot when they are 3-4 inches tall or have two equal sized leaves. For a strong stocky plant place it in a cooler area of the home so that it does not become spindly and turn it every few days so that each side of the plant will receive an even amount of light and grow even. Because tuberous begonias are shade loving they should be kept out of the hot midday sun but given lots of light.

Towards the end of May, after all threat of frost has passed the begonia is planted outdoors. Plant them in a semi-shaded area where they will receive either early morning sun or late afternoon sun. Too much shade will create spindly plants with fewer flowers and too much sun will cause the leaves to burn. Plants like a slightly acidic soil so adding some peat moss helps. During the summer, fertilize weekly with 12-36-12 flowering plant fertilizer. How and when to water the plant will contribute to its success. Water plants in the early morning without getting water on the foliage. This will help prevent mildew or fungi the largest problem in growing begonias. Another way to prevent mildew or fungi is to give the plant good air circulation and not to over water. Also always, remove finished flowers and damaged leaves, which should result in lots of flowers and healthy plants.

The nice thing about tuberous begonias is that the tuber can be saved year after year. In the fall, the tuber is gently dug up after the foliage has been blackened by the first killing frost. Place it on some newspaper and place it in a cool location for a couple of weeks. After that cut back the stems 4-6 inches from the tuber and trying not to damage the tuber gently remove any surplus soil from the tuber. After a few weeks the remaining dried up stems will fall off and the tuber can be sprinkled with bulb dust and be placed in a closed container filled with vermiculite or dry sand. Do not forget to label the tubers by name, color, and type. Store it in a dry dark area where the temperature is 6-10 Celsius and next February re-plant the tuber as you did before.

-Jos 

Jos Van Hage has three Art Knapp's Garden Centres in the Prince George Area:
-Highway 97 North
-Highway16 West
-Highway 97 South at the old Cariboo Highway







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