If you are itching to start your spring planting, pot up some tuberous begonias indoors. I must confess, I just love tuberous begonias. If you have some shaded areas in your garden, give them a try. I'm sure they'll impress you with their bloom.
Tuberous begonias are the "roses of the shadows", providing a wide range of flower and leaf colour in low light areas of your garden ALL summer long. They aren't difficult to care for, and if you pay a little attention to them you'll be rewarded with some pretty luxuriant plant growth. They are very showy.
The time to start tuberous begonias indoors is early March. They should have two to three months head start before setting them out at the end of May.
There's quite a range of bloom colour from which to select your begonia tubers. Just make sure the tubers are in good shape when you purchase them. Pick up some peat moss and a shallow growing tray if you don't have such items at home. You'll also need clay pots that are four inches in diameter (one for each tuber), some sterilized potting soil and a good water soluble fertilizer for flowering plants. Phostrogen is great.
Spread a layer of peat moss in the bottom of your shallow growing tray, and then place the begonia tubers hollow (concave) side up in the peat moss. Sprinkle enough peat moss in another layer to just cover the bulbs. Keep the peat moss lightly moist until the tubers (or bulbs) have developed substantial roots (about an inch long). Place the tray in a warm spot while the roots are forming. Once the roots have formed, pot each tuber up in a 4" clay pot with good drainage and sterilized potting soil. Place the pots in a sunny window until top growth starts and then pull them back from the light if it's too bright.
Fertilize your new begonia plants with Phostrogen every three weeks and keep them well watered but not soggy.
At the end of May, or whenever you traditionally do your spring planting, replant the begonias in shaded, protected areas of your garden and keep them reasonably watered all summer long.
Tuberous begonias are wonderful in hanging baskets or in large, half-baskets affixed to a wall or fence. Pot some up now and I'm sure you'll be pleased!
