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Nonstop ® Fire tuberous begonia . picture by : Proven Winners .
It ’s hard to beat tuberous begonias for add vivid , long - lasting color to shadowed gardens . These oculus - beguile tropicals produce loads of big , lightly fragrant flowers that bloom unendingly throughout the summer and free fall , right up until the first tang of hoarfrost . As container works , tuberous begonia are 2nd to none because of their long bloom season and lush foliage .
Many sort have flower that shower or track , putting on a outstanding show when planted in hang hoop and windowpane boxes . But you may also get vertical configuration idealistic for planting in garden bed and border , as long as you put up estimable drainage and tax shelter from scorching afternoon sun .
On this page : Basics|Planting|Care and Maintenance|Pictures|FAQ ’s
On this Sir Frederick Handley Page :
BASICS
Botanical name:
Begonia×tuberhybrida
Hardiness Zones:
9 - 11 ; in cold zones ( 2 - 8) , arise as annual or overwinter the Tuber indoors
Origin:
Tropical regions of South America and southerly Africa
Growth habit:
Upright or trailing , depending on the variety
Height/spread:
Up to 18 inches tall ( for upright types ) , trailing or spreading up to 24 in
Exposure:
Shade to fond sun
Bloom time:
From later spring until freeze . Once plant originate bloom , they can flower continuously for up to four calendar month .
Flowers:
undivided , double , or ripple flowers up to 6 inches across amount in shades of pink , white-livered , orangish , red , white , or bicolors , some with picotee edges .
Foliage:
farewell may be various shades of green , maroon , or chocolate Robert Brown and are usually guide , with serrate edge .
Fun fact:
Tuberous begonias aremonoecious , which means they bear both male and female bloom on the same works . They are bring out in clusters of three , with two little distaff flowers next to the larger , unremarkably double , male flower .
PLANTING TUBEROUS BEGONIAS
Begonia Tuber . photograph by : Stanislav71 / Shutterstock
When to plant:
Although begonia tubers can be plant directly outside in spring after the risk of frost has passed , they may not flower until previous summer or early downslope in northerly areas of the rural area . To speed things up , you may start the tubers indoors about 8 to 12 weeks before the last frost date in your area so they have fourth dimension to develop before being moved alfresco . Once the weather condition warm up and nighttime temperatures are systematically above 50 F , the tubers can be transplanted into the garden .
Where to plant:
uprise in dappled Sunday or bright shade , in a stain protected from strong twist to avoid hurt to the foliage and halt . Most varieties dislike eminent estrus and hot good afternoon sun , so they may suffer when uprise in southern mood .
How to plant:
If you are plant genus Tuber directly in the garden or in containers , set each genus Tuber , orotund side down , about an inch below the open of the potting mix or garden grime . To jumpstart maturation , pre - sprout the tubers before establish by putting them in a warm , well - lit country for a few weeks until little sprouts look .
How to start tubers indoors:
If you are bug out the Tuber indoors , place them about 1 inch apart in a shallow tray fill with moist potting mix . Place the tray in a dark way and water system just enough to keep the pot mix moist , but not soggy . Once the tubers begin to sprout , move them to an area with brilliant light . transfer them into the garden after the first two foliage have emerged and all danger of frost has passed .
Soil:
To debar rotting of the tubers , begonias must be plant in well - drain soil . If you have a big corpse soil that drains poorly , influence in some compost or other constitutive matter before planting to improve soil aeration and drainage .
Spacing:
To ensure ripe air circulation , space plants about 8 to 12 inches aside in the garden and 4 to 5 inches apart in containers , depending on their size at maturity . keep off overcrowding , which can lead to fungal diseases , such asbotrytisandpowdery mildew .
For more info about starting and planting begonia tubers , read this guidance from theAmerican Begonia Society .
TUBEROUS BEGONIA CARE
Atolla hang basketful combinationwith Double Delight ® Blush Rose begonia . exposure by : Proven Winners .
Watering:
Although begonias require well - drain territory , they are n’t drouth broad , so water whenever the top inch or two of soil palpate dry to the mite . Plants grown in container will unremarkably require more frequent watering than those planted in the ground . Because both the Tuber and stems can rot if the soil is too wet , be deliberate not to overwater . Also keep the foliage as dry as potential during watering to prevent mold development .
Fertilizing:
Like most plants that are heavy fuckup , begonia want unconstipated fertilizing throughout the growing season to see consistent flowering . Apply a slow - release fertilizer at planting time , supplemented by occasional feeding with a diluted swimming fertiliser during the efflorescence blossom period . arrest fertilizing in recent summer or former fall , when plants lead off to introduce dormancy .
Pruning:
To encourage fuller , shaggy increment , pinch back the base just above a leaf node , focus on those that are spindly or leggy . Tuberous begonias do n’t need deadheading for continuous bloom , but they will see neater if you polish off spent peak as well as any wilt foliage .
Propagating:
By root word or leaf cutting , taken in spring .
Overwintering:
Even though tuberous begonias are commonly grown as annuals in cold climates , they ’re in reality tender perennials that can live for many years if you bring them indoors over winter . To preserve your begonia tubers , await until after the first fall freeze , then labour up the Tuber and cut away the stems . reserve the tubers to dry out and cure in the sunshine for about a week , and then store indoors in a cool , dry location , such as a cellar , until it ’s time for replanting the following spring . In hoar - destitute climates , the Tuber can be allow in the ground over winter . Get more summit foroverwintering begonias .
Pests and diseases:
Susceptible topowdery mold , botrytis blight , and stem rot , particularly if overwatered or plant in poorly drained soil . blighter to keep an eye on out for includemealybugs , whiteflies , andaphids . Begonias are deer and rabbit tolerant .
TUBEROUS BEGONIA PICTURES
photograph by : Proven winner
Illumination ® Apricot Shades — Buy now from Proven WinnersBegoniaxtuberhybrida
Size:
4 to 8 inches tall , tag up to 24 inches
A trailing miscellanea with large , pendent , orange - gold blossoms set up off by deep green foliage . Ideal for use as a spiller in hanging baskets and window boxes .
Nonstop ® Mocca Scarlet — Buy now from Proven WinnersBegoniaxtuberhybrida
8 to 12 inches tall , 12 to 14 inch wide
Dark chocolate in colour with wan green foliage vein , the unique leafage of this extract is just as optic - catching as the plush , deep red flowers . Creates a dazzle display as a specimen plant in shaded garden or terrace pots .
around-the-clock ® ardor — Buy now from Proven WinnersBegoniaxtuberhybrida
8 to 12 inches tall , 12 to 16 inch wide
A new variety that blooms in fiery shades of orange and cherry-red . Its mounded , upright habit pull in it a gravid makeweight plant in container or to bring a sheer splatter of color to front of the borderline .
around-the-clock ® White — Buy now from Proven WinnersBegoniaxtuberhybrida
stark lily-white , russet scab - determine efflorescence contrast nicely with lucullan , deep gullible leaf . Beautiful when pair with other colors in theNonstop ® serial .
pic by : Johana Mlichova / Shutterstock
' Picotee Lace Pink’Begonia’Picotee Lace Pink '
12 to 18 inches tall , 10 to 12 inch broad
Ruffly , carnation - like blooms up to 6 inches across feature serrated pink petals outlined in white-hot , enhanced by attractive emerald - green leaf .
Double Delight ® Blush Rose — Buy now from Proven WinnersBegoniaxtuberhybrida
8 to 14 inches , 12 to 24 inches wide
A new sun - tolerant variety that can be acquire in part to full sun locations . grow an abundance of fragrant , double flowers in shades of soft garden pink with a efflorescence of scandalmongering .
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do tuberous begonias like sun or shade?
They can tolerate a scrap of both , but most favor indirect , filtered light-colored . annul direct sunlight , which can incinerate the foliage , or deep subtlety , which can cause spindly growth and hapless inflorescence . Some newer varieties are more tolerant of direct Sunday exposure , especially if it ’s first light or late afternoon sun .
Do tuberous begonias come back every year?
Yes , as long as you dig up the tuber and store them indoors during their wintertime dormancy period . The genus Tuber will not pull through if leave in frozen ground .
What is the difference between tuberous begonias and “nonstop” begonias?
The Nonstop ® series of tuberous begonias are started from seminal fluid , rather than being propagated from tubers , and will grow and flower in just one time of year , producing large , double blossom that will bloom nonstop , as the name suggests . Although they are produced from seed , they will develop a tuber that can be countermand in fall and overwinter indoors .
Do tuberous begonias require staking?
Trailing sort are intend to sneak along the ground or shower from containers , so they take no staking . Upright case , however , can gain from stake to bear out the flower - laden stems and prevent breakage . When plants are 4 to 6 inches marvelous , place a narrow-minded bamboo or alloy stake in the grunge a few inches by from the independent stem and gingerly secure the interest to the stem with plant life sleeper or garden string , adding more ties as needed as the plant grows .
Where do I buy begonia tubers?
If you plan on growing your begonias from tubers rather than from baby’s room - grown plants , you’re able to often buy the Tuber at local garden centers , but you ’ll find a enceinte selection of plant variety and bloom semblance online from mail - order companies that specialize in bulbs . The best time to buy your tubers is in late wintertime or early bound so you may have them ready for planting season .
What are good companion plants for tuberous begonias?
Tuberous begonia are so sensational when in full bloom , they become the mall of attention wherever you plant them . In interracial container combinations , team up them up other moisture - loving , shade - tolerant annuals that will enhance rather than detract from their beauty , such as silver ponysfoot ( Dichondra argentea),sweet potato vine , genus Alyssum , andlobelia .
Can tuberous begonias be grown as houseplants?
Tuberous begonias will enter a dormancy full stop no matter where you grow them , whether indoors on a windowsill or outdoors in the garden , so they are n’t practical as year - round houseplants .
