Begonia Growing Guide

Planting Begonia

Plant in spring after the last frost.
If you cannot plant your bulbs and perennials right away, store them in a cool, dry, dark location, like a basement.
Plant in the garden when soil temperature reaches 10 °C (50 °F) or more.
Position tuber flat, with the curved/hollow side up, just barely below the soil surface and 25 to 30 cm (10 to 12 in) apart.
Since the tubers are susceptible to rotting, keep the potting soil moist, but not wet.

Growing Begonia

If early blooms are desired, pot up and start indoors up to six weeks ahead of last frost date.
Plant your begonias where they will receive partial shade. The hotter your growing region, the more shade they prefer.
For best results (stronger stems, fewer but more spectacular flowers), pinch off all but 2 to 4 stems while the plants are young and developing.

Care Begonia

Water as needed during active growth periods, but allow the soil to become dry between watering.
Keep them healthy by removing dead flowers, leaves and stems, and fertilize once a month.

Winterizing Begonia

These bulbs cannot tolerate frost.
In fall, once flowering ceases and before the first frost, bring in begonias for the winter.
Lift the bulbs: gently dig up bulb and allow to dry off.
After drying a day or two, dug tubers can be stored in layers of vermiculite or sawdust at approximately 5 °C to 7 °C (40 °F to 45 °F).