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Begonias are named after Frenchman Michel Begon, and originated in Brazil.
They are well suited to flowerbeds, hanging baskets, containers, and as indoor houseplants.
They tolerate shade well, and are prized equally for their flower as well as their showy leaves
Week 1; Check over stored tuberous begonias if any show signs of rot, cut away affected tissue with a sharp knife, and dust wound with green sulphur powder.
Week 6; Sow begonia semperfloren seed.
Fill tray with a 50-50 mix of compost and sharp sand, and thoroughly soak with water.
Mix the fine seed with silver sand and sprinkle on to the surface of the compost.
Place in a propagator set to give a temperature of 21°-24°C (70°-75°F) to germinate.
Germination should take about two to three weeks
Week 13; Check for signs of damage or small areas of rot on tuberous begonias, cut away any you may find and dust the wounds with a fungicide, e.g. green sulphur powder.
Gently press tubers into trays of gritty compost until tops remain just above the surface.
To ensure they are the right way up, check for small new shoots or an old stem scar, or they may have a slight saucer-like depression on the upper surface.
Keep containers in a minimum temperature of 16°C (60°F) and do not allow compost to dry out.
Note; This task can be started sooner i.e. circa Week 9 if these growing conditions can be maintained, and lighting is good.
Poor lighting can result in weak straggly plants hence the writers preferance for the later date.
Once rooting and top-growth appears,( in approx 2 weeks) move tubers into 100-125mm (4”-5”) pots of potting compost.
Week 15; Prick out semperflorens out when large enough to handle.
Week 24; Take leaf bud cuttings of ‘rex’ varieties.
Trim the leaf stalk of a mature healthy leaf down to about 30-50mm (1.5”- 2”) and insert one or more cuttings into containers filled with well-drained compost.
alternatively, insert singly into Jiffy 7 peat pots before sealing in a plastic bag or propagator.
Week 28; Water container grown begonias copiously and feed weekly to maintain strong growth.
Support large-flowered tuberous varieties that have become top heavy or have weak flower stalks.
Carefully remove the single female blooms from large-flowered tuberous varieties to allow maximum room for the central double-male flowers.
Female flowers can be recognized by the winged seed capsules behind the flower.
To avoid outbreaks of fungal disorders, remove faded flowers and dead or damaged foliage regularly, apply systemic fungicide if mildew affects foliage.
Week 38; Stop feeding tuberous begonias once flowering and growth begins to fall off, and decrease frequency of watering as foliage shows signs of fading.
Strong plants of the fibrous-rooted semperflorens type may be carefully lifted (if in flower beds) as bedding is cleared.
If these potted up they should continue to give a display throughout autumn and into winter providing they are kept in a well lit position in a warm room or greenhouse.
Week 44; Gradually reduce the water as foliage begins to yellow.
Cut back the tops of tuberous begonias as the stems begin to fall away and don't worry if the stems 'bleed' at this stage.
Place the pots on their sides under staging to quicken the drying of compost.
Tubers can remain in their pots, but check for rot or damage, any suspect areas should be cut away with a sharp blade and dusted with sulphur powder.
alternatively; remove tubers from their pots, clean away any remaining stems, dead roots and store them in a cool, frost free place.
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