Every hobby gardener is happy about a longer flowering period for his tuberous begonias. They can be grown in February and then bloom from April. With the following tips you can enjoy the magnificent flowers earlier and longer on the balcony and in the garden or house.
How can you properly grow tuberous begonias?
To grow tuberous begonias successfully, plant the tubers in potting soil with sand and horn shavings from February onwards, place them on a bright windowsill without direct midday sun and increase the temperature to 20 degrees as soon as shoots are visible.
Bringing tuberous begonias out of hibernation
If you want to activate the growth of the tubers early, plant them in pots or growing trays from February. Normal potting soil mixed with sand has proven to be a suitable planting substrate. Additionally, mix in some horn shavings to provide the plants with fertilizer for up to ten weeks.
Plant the tuber with the dent upwards at a maximum depth of three centimeters. The shoots will later form on this top side. Cover with air-permeable foil or hood. A bright window sill without direct midday sun is the optimal location.
If you place them too warm, they will sprout lots of leaves but hardly form any roots. Therefore, wait until the first shoots appear and then increase the temperature from 15 degrees to around 20 degrees.
Prefer tuberous begonias and what else?
With good care, the first leaves will sprout after a few weeks. Now plant the plants in containers, pots, hanging baskets or flower boxes, depending on the variety. As soon as the leaves grow vigorously, they need a little more water and a shower from the spray bottle.
Towards the end of April, harden the tuberous begonias outside in a shady place during the day. From mid-May, if there is no risk of frost, leave the tuberous begonias outside overnight or plant them in beds.
How can female flowers be distinguished from male ones?
Bugonias are available with double female and unfilled male flowers. Although they thrive on low light, they bloom in a wide range of colors from white to orange, yellow, pink and scarlet. To activate the formation of new flowers, remove the flower residues regularly.
Begonia breeding began over 200 years ago. Particular attention was paid to lush flowers, unusual leaf patterns and shapes such as these varieties.
- Elatior begonias
- Bugonias
- Ice Begonias
Ice begonias - Begonia-Semperflorens hybrids - also called God's eyes, fascinate with green to black-brown leaves that glitter like ice crystals in the sunlight.
Tips & Tricks
The Begonia boliviensis variety is ideal for hanging baskets or balcony boxes. The plants create a greater depth effect and integrate the house into the garden. Vertical gardening makes it possible to compensate for the lack of green space in inner cities and improves the living environment.