When to dig up begonias? Tuberous begonias in winter. Plant care in winter. How to properly store tuberous begonia? Tuberous begonia for winter storage

Proper storage tuberous begonia in winter - necessary condition . If they are not observed, the tubers will lay a small number of buds, and flowering will be poor.

First of all, you must comply terms of extraction from the soil. If you are late, waiting for the first frost, he may suffer. The tubers of this flower do not tolerate even short-term freezing. But you can't dig them out before. As soon as the foliage begins to dry out, the flower begins an active set of tuber mass and laying buds for the next flowering. Therefore, early removal from the ground will reduce the number of flowers during the growing season.

When you notice the first signs of wilting, stop watering. In open ground conditions, it is recommended to cover the bush in case of rainy weather.

Watch closely for the condition of the aboveground part. As soon as all the foliage turns yellow and falls off, it's time to act. Don't use a big shovel you can damage the delicate roots with it. Carefully cut off the stems that have not fallen off with garden shears or secateurs.

Do not cut the foliage to the base - you may damage the bulb. Leave stumps 2-3 cm long.

After digging out of the ground, thoroughly clean the tubers. Dry them in a room with warm, dry air. If the room is high humidity, rotting processes can begin in the tubers. During the preparation for winter, the tubers ripen, this process lasts 15-20 days.

Sometimes autumn unexpected frosts occur, and the leaves of the plant immediately freeze. It is wrong to assume that the root part is also frozen. Most often during short-term frosts underground part remains unscathed. Dig up such specimens and try to save them.

How to save tuberous begonia in winter at home?

The temperature in the wintering area should not exceed 9-10 degrees. This is a necessary condition for laying flower buds. Humidity while need increased (70-80%). There are several ways to ensure this, depending on the conditions you have:

Basement or cellar

For this method, it is necessary to prepare a container in which the tubers will be placed. It can be a cardboard box or a wooden box. It is recommended to pour on the bottom a layer of sand, peat or sawdust.

Experienced flower growers respond well to using for these purposes modern material vermiculite.

Vermiculite is a mineral powder widely used in horticulture and indoor floriculture. It does not rot or decompose under the influence of the atmosphere, so insects and bacteria do not multiply in it. The tubers placed in it will be in a certain temperature regime with sufficient air access. In addition, they are not subject to infection by diseases and pests. To store tubers, vermiculite is mixed with peat or sawdust.

The tubers are laid out on the prepared pillow in one layer, so that they do not touch each other. From above, the laid plants are covered with a layer of mixture for storage. She should also cover the distances between the tubers. Each copy should be literally surrounded by a pillow of backfill mix.

Fridge

In the absence of a basement or cellar, tubers can be stored in the refrigerator. The finished, dried material is placed in a bag, sprinkled with peat and vermiculite, or a mixture of sand and vermiculite. The package needs make holes for air access. The package is then placed in the refrigerator.

If you have enough space in your refrigerator, you can put the tubers in the lower vegetable storage box, filling them with a mixture of peat as in the previous option. It is also convenient to use food containers. Tubers are placed in them and covered with a mixture of peat and vermiculite, or sawdust and peat, just like in boxes. Make sure that the backfill mixture is completely dry, otherwise the begonias will rot or be affected by the fungus.

How to keep a tuberous begonia in a pot in an apartment in winter?


The previous storage methods are used for large, adult tubers. Young specimens are small, and with such storage they will dry out. It is recommended to store them by placing them in pots with earth. Deepen the tubers into the ground, you can have several in one pot, and put in a dry, cool room. One or two times depending on the humidity of the surrounding air. The soil with stored tubers needs to be moistened.

Wintering of first-year begonias

The storage of first years obtained from seeds is different, because their dormant period is relative. The aerial part of them does not die off in autumn, and they must winter in pots.

Since the leaves of small tubers remain, they need light. But the temperature of the content should not exceed 15 degrees. Water the first years sparingly to avoid rotting.

Inexperienced flower growers mistakenly treat young nodules in the same way as with large, mature ones. But this cannot be done, because the first years grown from seeds continue to grow in winter period. If stored incorrectly, then they dry up.

Features of the dormant period of room begonia

A plant grown at home also needs winter storage. The difference is that the plant does not have to be removed from the soil.

autumn, as soon as the stems begin to wither and dry out, they drastically reduce the frequency of watering and the amount of water. The finally wilted leaves are carefully cut off and the pot is removed in a dark, cool place. Such conditions are necessary in order for the plant to rest and gain strength for flowering in the next season.

No need to disturb the resting bush:
to move it from place to place, to transplant it. Check the status of the root system. It is only necessary to ensure that the earth does not dry out and slightly moisten it periodically. This is especially important during heating, as the air in the apartments is dry, and the tubers can dry out.

Plants keep well on insulated balconies or under the balcony door. Just like garden begonia, indoor begonia can be stored in basements. They put it there right in the pot in which they grew it. To limit light, cover the pots with newspaper or a thick cloth.

Do not transplant tubers into new soil before wintering - they will begin to grow, and this is highly undesirable.

It is very important that the plant pot not getting too much light especially direct sunlight. The plant will wake up ahead of time and sprout, not having time to lay a sufficient number of flower buds.

Tuber awakening

The wintering period ends at the begonia in March-April. Remove the tubers from the wintering place and warm them in the room. You can also germinate them in wet peat or sand before planting in open ground. Before that, dip them for a while in a solution of potassium permanganate.

If there are many buds on one tuber big size. Before planting, you can cut it into pieces. cut places treat with ash, sulfur or charcoal.

Young plants have elongated shoots by spring, they need to be cut and rooted in separate containers.

Compliance with these simple storage rules will help you enjoy summer lush and abundant flowering of the beautiful begonia.

A photo

Next you can see a photo of tuberous begonia:

From year to year can decorate household plot bright, profusely blooming tuberous begonia, keeping these beautiful flowers in winter requires knowledge and adherence to certain rules. Ways to save begonias and some secrets of caring for plants during the dormant period will help novice flower growers cope with a seemingly difficult task.

Preparing for a dormant period

Tuberous begonia is a flowering plant of rare beauty that can transform both a room and cozy balcony, and shady corner garden. Bright inflorescences of various shapes, numerous varieties and colors have made begonia an extremely popular flower cultivated in home gardening.

Rich and abundant flowering lasts from June to the end of September, after which the bushes need a dormant period. Since begonia is a perennial, the task of the owners is to ensure that the tubers winter in favorable conditions. The health of the plant and its further ability to grow depends on this. abundant flowering and reproduction.

Preparing for the winter period includes the following steps:

  • removal of new buds and shoots;
  • reduction in watering;
  • preservation of fading stems for more efficient maturation of tubers.

To bookmark winter storage take away only healthy plants, without signs of degeneration (shrinkage, dark spots on leaves). A full-fledged tuber is dense, not overdried, has a diameter of 4-6 cm, is not damaged fungi, covered with a branched, thin, delicate root system.

Bushes grown in open field, carefully dig out with a metal garden fork or spatula. This must be done before the first frost. In order not to miss this moment, experts recommend sending the begonia to rest when the air temperature outside approaches 10 ° C. Plants also suffer from cold winds, so if the edges of the leaves begin to darken, we can conclude that it is time to dig up the flowers.

The last top dressing, which contributes to the accumulation of nutrients by tubers and vital energy, spend 3-4 weeks before extracting the bushes from the ground. At the same time, the fertilizer should contain a minimum amount of nitrogen and an increased percentage of potassium in the composition. The duration of the dormant period is 3-4 months.

Methods for wintering tubers of adult plants

There are two ways to store begonia in winter:

  • at home in a pot (the method allows you to preserve and extend flowering for another 1-2 months);
  • in a cool place in the form of tubers.

In the first case, bushes garden plants they simply transplant and transfer to the room, after which they gradually reduce watering, wait for the stems to die off, cut them off at ground level, and the tubers are removed or sent to rest right in the pots. In the second, the flowers are dug up with a large clod of soil, dried in a well-ventilated, darkened and protected from moisture place, the stems are cut off, leaving stumps 1-2 cm high, and laid for wintering in the most suitable place.

Tuber storage is relevant for begonias over 2 years old. One of the most popular ways to save planting material at home is in the basement. To do this, tubers that are well dried and cleaned of soil are placed in a wooden or cardboard box and covered with a retaining material, which can be used as:

  • substrate (dry soil mixtures);
  • river sand;
  • peat;
  • vermiculite;
  • sawdust.

How to store begonia tubers in an apartment? Experienced gardeners It is recommended to find the coolest place in the room. It could be:

  • window sill of a free room (where there is no radiator);
  • a place near the balcony door;
  • insulated loggia;
  • bathroom space.

Tubers covered with preserving material are kept in boxes, boxes, plastic containers or pots. A small number of nodules can be stored in the general compartment of the refrigerator, putting them in a ventilated plastic bag and in a container for vegetables, you can fill them with sawdust on top. In case of condensation on polyethylene, it is recommended to replace the bag with plain paper, but each tuber should be wrapped separately.

The temperature regime for storing tuberous begonias in winter is similar to storing bulbs flowering plants and ranges from +5 to +14°С.

Wintering of first-year plants

Young plants grown from seeds or by cuttings have a relative dormant period and after the first flowering are not yet able to gain enough strength into tubers to survive the winter in this form. Their root system is weak, and attempts to save only tubers can end in the death of flowers.

Small first-year plants are recommended to be left in pots for the winter, reducing watering to a minimum (through a pallet). At the first sign of wilting, watering is stopped completely, dried stems are pruned. In the event that the stems and leaves of a young begonia do not die off in winter, it is recommended to leave them intact. In this case, it is advisable not to move the pot with the plant anywhere and to limit watering as much as possible.

Optimal storage conditions:

  • temperature environment— 10-15°С;
  • air humidity - 80-85%;
  • moderate watering;
  • scattered sunlight.

With the onset of spring (early March), young begonias are transplanted into open ground or a fresh substrate (soil mixture) using a pot bigger size. The most favorable is a loose mixture of leaf, humus, peat soil and sand (2: 1: 1: 1). In open ground, young begonias can be transplanted when the air temperature exceeds 10 ° C during the day and does not fall below 2 ° C at night.

What to do if the tuberous begonias "woke up" ahead of time? During wintering, it is recommended to periodically check the condition of the planting material. If sprouts and buds were found on the tubers ahead of time, it means that the plants are not suitable for rest temperature regime- too warm. You can slow down the growing process by transferring the tubers to a refrigerator or other place with a lower temperature.

If the nodules sprouted in the refrigerator chamber, it means that it is not dry enough there. In this case, the tubers are sorted out, possible rot is removed, dried again, wrapped in several layers of paper and sprinkled with dry sawdust. After that, put it back in the refrigerator, in the vegetable compartment.

When storing potted tuberous begonias, the substrate should not be allowed to dry out too much, as this can lead to the death of flowers.

Planting and care are carried out no earlier than March, since in a shorter dormant period, begonias may not gain strength for full flowering. In this case, the bushes will be weak, small, give only green shoots without inflorescences or small few flowers. Pots should not be too wide and deep, drainage from expanded clay of the middle fraction is required.

Sending tuberous begonia at rest, in no case should fresh green leaves be cut. Withering naturally stems redirect everything nutrients into a tuber, preparing it for wintering and further revival.

How to save begonia tubers until spring? If the begonia was grown from purchased tubers larger than 3 cm, it is satisfied with a dormant period from late November to mid-February. If the tuberous begonia is grown from seeds or by cuttings from the leaves of an adult plant, it does not need a dormant period. Storage of begonia tubers in winter depends entirely on the age of the plant and the size of its tuber. How to prepare a plant for winter? What to do with young tubers? All questions are answered by experienced growers.

How to store begonia tubers at home?

The dormant period for tuberous begonias begins in mid-November and lasts until mid-February. However, you need to prepare for it in advance. If the plant blooms, experts recommend regularly removing faded flowers. If the begonia lays new buds in September, they should be cut off without regret. Why? The flower soon enters a dormant period, and late flowering weakens the tuber.

How to save adult begonia tubers?

Here we will talk about plants whose age exceeds 2 years, and the size of the tuber is at least 3-4 cm in diameter. The conditions for storing first-year begonias in winter are somewhat different.

In September-October, many begonias begin to wither and dry leaves.. This is natural process. Thus, the plant prepares for sleep in winter. What to do? If the pot is located on a glazed loggia and balcony, it is brought into the house if there is a threat of night frost. Optimum temperature during the day +10...+15 degrees, at night - not lower than +5 degrees. If the begonia was grown in room conditions, it is transferred to a cool place where the temperature does not rise above +15 degrees.

So, the preparation of begonia tubers for winter begins from the moment when the leaves of the plant begin to wither and turn yellow. This happens in September-October. Such leaves are not cut, but wait until they are completely dry. Over time, they simply unscrew without any extra effort.

Important!!! The green leaves of begonias cannot be plucked, thereby forcibly laying the flower to rest. The leaves, drying up, transfer all the nutrients to the tuber. Having cut off all the foliage while still green, the grower deprives the tuber of the opportunity to build up mass.

Watering begonias from the end of September to the end of October is significantly reduced. You need to make sure that the soil is slightly damp. Depending on the temperature of the content, the optimal watering regimen is 1 time in 1-1.5 weeks. A similar humidity regime stimulates the plant to sleep. In conditions of lack of moisture, the leaves will turn yellow faster. At the end of October, watering is completely stopped.

Leaves on begonias should turn yellow in late October.. They are carefully removed. If this does not happen, reduce the temperature of the flower content.

Begonia lighting during dormancy is not needed. Moreover, it can harm the flower. After all, under the straight lines sunbeams the flower may wake up ahead of time, because the plant, after it has shed all the foliage, must be rearranged in a dark place. The optimum storage temperature is +5...+12 degrees.

Optimal storage of begonia tubers in winter is carried out in basement where it is cool and dark. If the begonia was grown outdoors, it is dug up after the first frost. Without shaking off the ground, they are laid out in boxes and transferred to the basement. If the begonia was grown in pots on the balcony, it is not necessary to remove it from the ground. After the death of the ground part, flower pots are simply transferred to a dark and cool room. If it is not possible to store in the basement, it can be a pantry, a space near the balcony.

You can store begonia tubers without soil. To do this, after the death of the ground part, the tuber is dug out of the ground, dried and placed in a box. You can sprinkle everything with sawdust or peat. It is not recommended to put begonia tubers in a plastic bag for the winter. There, the plant's breathing process is disrupted, condensate accumulates. It is the cause of decay.

How to store first-year begonia tubers?

Begonia tubers grown from seeds this year do not go to sleep during the winter. In the first year of its life, the plant tries to increase the mass of the tuber, and therefore retains the leaves. If the seedlings developed in open ground, then before the onset of the first night frost, the plants must be transplanted into pots and swept into the house.

How to store first-year tubers in winter? They do not shed their leaves and they are not laid to rest. They should wait out the winter in a cool and bright place where the temperature does not fall below + 15 degrees. How experienced flower growers do:

  1. Stop feeding since September.
  2. The buds that the plant lays in September-October must be cut off.
  3. It is necessary to water the begonia tuber of the first year as the top layer of soil dries up. Watering is carried out along the contour of the pot. Water should not fall on the tuber. Optimal Mode watering - once a week. It can be less often if the temperature of the content lies within +15 degrees.
  4. Lighting is a must. Otherwise, the begonia stalks will simply stretch out.
  5. Begonia can be stored in winter east side Houses. But heating devices can in this case dry the air and raise the ambient temperature, and therefore you can put a container of water on the windowsill.
  6. You can not feed the flower. Although he retained the ground part, he practically does not consume nutrients from the soil, and their excess can lead to root rot.

In the spring, the elongated cuttings can be cut and rooted, but only after the tuber gives new stems.

If in home floriculture you prefer flowering plants, you will like tuberous begonia. AT sunny flower it is impossible not to fall in love, because nature itself has provided for him only warm shades- yellow, golden-orange, coral, honey, purple ... Begonia is a rather capricious "lady", but whoever comprehends the secrets and subtleties of caring for her will reciprocate. The versatility of the culture captivates - it is equally well adapted to growing in closed and open ground.

Description and types of tuberous begonia

Begonia tuberous mesmerizing abundance bright inflorescences- a complex hybrid, first obtained in mid-nineteenth century. Since then, hundreds of varieties and cultivators have appeared, both heterotic, intended for cultivation in open ground, and tuberous, for indoor cultivation.

Begonia of this species is easily recognizable by fragile, juicy stems with a translucent texture, light green or olive hue. The leaves, like those of its other relatives, are asymmetrical, often glossy. The bush, depending on the variety, can be compact (up to 20 cm) and quite high (70–80 cm). Flowers differ in size - from 5 to 20 cm in diameter and shape - simple, fringed, double. The underground rhizome (rhizome) thickens at the base and forms a tuber. By analogy with bulbous plants, new roots grow from the bottom of the tuber every year, and the old ones die off. Therefore, tuberous begonia needs annual dormancy (wintering), which occurs during the cold period and lasts from 2 to 3.5 months.

There are several varieties of tuberous begonia.

  • The multiflora group is characterized by neat, well-branched bushes with small (5–8 cm) densely double or corrugated flowers.
  • Begonias grandiflora are large (up to 15 cm in diameter), beautiful flowers similar to camellia.
  • The profusely flowering variety of floribunda is characterized by double inflorescences, reaching a diameter of 9 cm.
  • A distinctive feature of the ampelous group is drooping, rapidly growing shoots with an abundance of elegant, corrugated flowers of rich color - apricot, salmon, pale pink.

Note! Begonia is a monoecious plant. On one bush male - bright, terry and female - inconspicuous, simple flowers bloom. If you do not plan to propagate begonias from seeds, female flowers must be removed so that the plant does not expend effort on their maturation.

Subtleties of care

When growing begonias tuber care at home should be as close as possible to the conditions of the natural habitat. In open ground and room culture, the basic requirements for the conditions and stages of agricultural technology are the same.

sun, air, water the right proportions plus right soil the essence of basic needs.

  1. Of the large Begonia family, the tuberous variety tolerates bright sunlight better than others. And the smaller the flowers, the more sun they need. Graceful ampelous hybrids and large-flowered begonias must be protected from bright light so that the leaves and delicate petals do not get burned. For them, flower beds in the shaded corners of the garden, containers, pots with plants are best placed on the west and east sides.
  2. The same story with the thermal regime. Small-flowered heterosis species are more resistant to cold, and hybrids with large terry inflorescences cannot stand a sharp drop or fluctuation in temperature. On the whole tuberous species thermophilic - optimal range 20–25⁰С. They are afraid not only of frosts, but also of cold winds, temperatures close to 0. It is recommended to plant seedlings in open ground only with the onset of stable heat or provide shelter options.
  3. With watering, too, you can not overdo it. A moisture-loving flower, when water, especially cold, gets on the tuber, it is prone to decay. Experienced flower growers it is recommended to water the begonia bushes 1-2 times a week, in the early morning, with heated water, i.e., so that the temperature of the soil, water and plants are as balanced as possible. In room conditions, watering through the pan or along the edge of the pot is desirable.
  4. Provide optimal humidity and air exchange is easy if light, loose, well-drained soil is used for planting. Continuous long (5-6 months) flowering takes a lot of energy and requires systematic top dressing.

Cultivation in the open field

Speaking of open ground, we mean planting begonia seedlings in a flower bed. It is purchased or grown independently from seeds or a tuber.

Note! The sprouted plant can be left in a pot and taken outside for the whole summer. limited scope closed ground determines the nature of care.

Seedlings are planted in early June, deepening fragile stems by 1.5–2 cm to give stability. The distance between the bushes depends on its size and compactness. Tall varieties planted at a distance of 30–35 cm, low profusely flowering - 20–25 cm, ampelous dwarf varieties in a container version - 10–15 cm apart.

Watering, feeding

Consider how to care for tuberous begonias in the summer. As for watering, it should be frequent (at least 1 time per week), plentiful (5-6 liters per bush), water comfortable temperature. Moisture stagnation and drying of the roots should not be allowed. The plant will respond to a lack of moisture by yellowing and withering of the leaves, shedding of buds. from waterlogging or cold water roots and tuber rot, the flower dies.

At the beginning of the growing season, in order for the plant to quickly gain leaf mass, it must be fed 1-2 times nitrogen fertilizers. Starting from the moment of budding, begonia is fed complex fertilizers containing potassium and phosphorus. This should be done in small doses, applying fertilizer with watering approximately twice a month.

Note! In order not to constantly feed, experts recommend using long-acting fertilizers in granules or tablets. Bring them into the hole or pot during planting. Due to the slow, gradual dissolution, the flower receives nutrition throughout the season.

A special time for tuberous begonia comes in the fall, when it prepares for a dormant period and directs efforts to form a tuber.

The nuances of room culture

If in the summer it is possible to take out begonias on Fresh air no, it is necessary to ensure its full inflow. Suitable open loggias, balconies, window sills with eastern and western exposure. In addition to watering, the flower needs systematic spraying. warm water. Air humidity will increase if the containers are placed in pallets with wet expanded clay or other drainage.

Preparing for the winter

In order for the tuber to mature and lay the buds of renewal, it is necessary to extend the vegetation process as long as possible. Begonias growing in open ground are dug up with the first threat of frost and, together with a clod of earth and the aerial part, are left in a dry place for ripening. In that period is coming the outflow of nutrition from the stem and leaves into the tuber, it is better to cut off the buds. When the foliage dries out, it is cut off, the remnants of the earth are removed and the tuber is isolated.

If tuberous begonia grows in a pot, with the onset of cold weather it is brought into heat and preparation for winter is somewhat postponed. In the last decade of October, flowering comes to an end, begonia begins to shed its leaves. To smoothly move to rest, watering is reduced to a minimum, the pots are placed in a shaded place. After 3-4 weeks, the aerial part dies off or is cut off. The tuber is left in a pot or dug up in order to plant again in the spring.

It is interesting! AT European countries no one digs and stores begonia tubers. Planting material or ready-made seedlings are purchased annually in the spring.

Tuber storage options

The agrotechnics of tuberous begonia provides for several ways to store the plant and planting material in winter.

  1. Dug dried tubers are sprinkled with wet peat or sand and lowered into the basement (refrigerator). They are stored at a temperature of 5–10⁰ C, humidity not lower than 80%. It is good to add sphagnum moss to the storage substrate, the bactericidal properties of which prevent decay.
  2. After pruning the stems, the tuber is left in a pot until spring and removed in a dark room with a cool (plus!) temperature. So that the lump of earth does not dry out, it is recommended to do “dry” watering with snow from time to time. After 2-3 months, the rested begonia will wake up and sprout.
  3. In order to rejuvenate the culture, spring tuber transplantation into a new substrate is practiced. They store it in the same way as described above, but at the end of February they dig it up, divide large specimens into several parts, and transplant them.
  4. Young begonias grown from seeds form a tuber for several years. At this time, it is better not to cut the plant for the winter, and it is advisable not to disturb the tuber due to its small size. Their rest is relative - in diffused light, in a cool place (10-15⁰С) and with moderate watering.

Tuber planting

The best way to breed begonias at home is to plant tubers. Overwintered or acquired tubers begin to germinate in late February-March. They are cleaned of old roots. To enhance protective functions, they are treated with fungicides (20–40 minutes). To accelerate root formation planting material treated with Epin, a growth stimulator and immune system plants.

You can germinate tubers in small pots, and in May transfer them to balcony boxes or flowerpots. The second option is to immediately plant on permanent place. In this case, the container needs to be small and wide, the soil is desirable targeted (for begonias), well loosened and drained. The planting tuber is placed with the convex part (bottom) down, covered with earth “up to the shoulders” so that the buds remain on the surface.

The planted tuber is immediately exposed to the light, after the formation of two true leaves, it is sprinkled with a substrate. From this point on, the begonia can be fed.

Plants grown at home are more hardened, take root faster in open ground, and better tolerate changing conditions.

Video about pruning and cuttings of tuberous begonias

Proper wintering of the tuberous plant will save the plant from disease and death. Read what to do with begonia in winter and how to take care of it in order for it to endure cold time of the year.

How does begonia winter?

To save tuberous begonia in winter, when the first cold weather sets in, it is necessary to dig it out of the ground. Note that actions must be started precisely in the cold, and not at the first frost. Wait a bit and let your begonia mentally prepare for winter. Let them have time to turn yellow and fall off all its leaves. When it's time to dig, arm yourself with special small garden tools. When digging, be careful not to damage the roots and bulb. Cut off the stems that were on the surface, leaving small shoots of 2-3 cm. After that, as far as possible, gently clean the plant from the ground. Remove clean cut tubers in a box and leave in a warm and dry place to dry. Keep an eye on the temperature and humidity of the air so that your pets do not start to rot. After about 2 weeks, when the bulbs and roots dry out, remove the remaining soil and stems.

After drying and preparing the begonia for wintering, we move it to " winter apartment". The temperature in the room should be cool, not higher than 5-10 degrees. But humidity is allowed high. Naturally, the most common place to store begonias are cellars and cellars. The container in which the begonia will winter can be all the same wooden boxes. Carefully lay out the tubers and roots, and fill the distances between plants with sand, dry peat or sawdust. Begonias do not need to be watered during the winter. Otherwise, dormant buds will get confused and begin to swell in preparation for growth and flowering.

Another good option for storing begonia tubers in winter is a refrigerator. Cleaned finished root systems put in plastic bags with dry peat and hide in the refrigerator. Whichever method you choose, do not forget to occasionally check the safety of your tubers so that there is no rot and mold.

In this way, begonias are stored until March-April, just at this time the buds will begin to swell and the plant will begin to wake up after its hibernation. At this very time, you can take up cuttings, or you can simply plant them in moist peat for germination. Now the air temperature should be 16-18 degrees. After a couple of weeks, the first leaves will reach a height of about 5 cm. Then, if it is still cold enough outside, transplant the begonia into pots. If you are firmly convinced that there will be no more frosts, then you can transplant the begonia to the flower bed.

Winter care for tuberous begonia

If you grow begonia not in the garden, but at home in pots, then you should also know what procedures should be carried out in winter time. With the onset of cold weather, domestic begonias fall into the so-called state of rest. Therefore, you should not disturb them, transplant them from one pot to another, or deal with their root system. It is also necessary to reduce the amount and frequency of watering, even though the begonia loves wet ground. In winter, tuberous begonia should be watered only when the earth in the pot is completely dry. The only thing that remains unchanged is the control of air humidity. With the onset heating season This need to be done more carefully, tk. The air in heated rooms is usually very dry. You can spray the air around the flower with a spray gun once a day. Just make sure that the drops do not fall on the plant itself.

I would like to give you one more a little advice. Get in the habit of putting your begonia out in a pot for a few hours in the winter to bask in the sun. You need to do this twice a day.