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Growing Tuberous Begonias in Pots or in the Garden: Caring for this Long Blooming Shade Plant

© Kenneth Joergensen

The tuberous begonia has a flowering season of up to 4 months or longer, comes in a wide range of colors and shapes, and provides much-needed color in partial shade. It is suitable for growing in all areas of North America.

It pays to carefully consider where you buy tubers. The largest and most beautiful begonias are only available from reputable growers with their own hybrid cultivars, such as Blackmore and Longdon in the UK, or Antonelli Brothers, and Golden State Bulb Growers in the USA.

Best Soil Conditions for Tubeorus Begonias

Begonias can be grown in any type of soil with good drainage. Garden soil can be improved by mixing in organic matter (manure, compost, peat moss). Place a 2-3 inch layer of these soil amendments on top of the soil and then blend it into the top 8-10” with a spade.

Begonias can also be grown in pots, ideally 8-10”. Potting soil or a good quality container planting mix can be used if mixed 50% with perlite, pumice, or rough builder’s sand. If using sand, avoid fine playground sand as it will rot the tubers.

Starting Tubers

The tubers must sprout before they are planted. Prompt buds by moving the tubers into a warm room. To speed up the process, soak slow budders for 10 minutes in tepid water every 3-4 days and keep them in a warm (70-75F) room. The buds appear on the indented side of the tuber and should face upwards when planted.

The round side of the tuber should be planted downwards and covered with at least 2 inches of potting mix. Begonias form roots over all surfaces of the tuber and it is important that they are properly covered. Keep them with gentle bottom heat if possible (65-75F), not too hot. Check the mix for moisture every few days. Water only after the mixture is thoroughly dry on top.

Potting-Up

If the tubers has been planted in small pots they can be left in these until the root mass holds the medium together. The begonias should be re-potted as soon as sprouts are 3-5” tall if started in flats. When potting into a larger pot, choose one that is big enough to promote a big plant with many flowers. Indoors, water as needed only when the surface of the growing media shows sign of drying out. A soluble liquid fertilizer such as 1/2 tsp of Peters 20-20-20 can be used every week increased to 1 tsp as the plant grows bigger. A light dressing of OSMOCOTE 14-14-14 can also be used instead of soluble fertilizers.

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