Driving tuberous begonias in 14 steps

Begonia tubers are small marvels. Inside lurks a splendor of flowers that is second to none. They are only allowed outdoors from mid-May, when there is no longer any threat of frost. But even then, the awakening of the begonia is slow. Many weeks will pass before flowering. The only thing that helps is an earlier start by driving forward in your own four walls.

Seeds or tubers?

Tuberous begonias can be grown from both tubers and seeds. But not both methods are equally suitable for the hobby gardener. Producing new plants from seeds is demanding and time-consuming. If you want to get the begonias to bloom in early summer, you have to start rearing them in winter. But then the natural lighting conditions are not optimal. An artificial lighting system would have to be installed. It is much easier and cheaper to use tubers.

Where do you get tubers from?

As soon as the days get longer in spring and the sun gives off a little more warmth, flower lovers want to get started right away. Accordingly, the specialist shops are also well prepared. They are already offering tubers for sale from January. There you can browse as you please and select suitable begonia varieties. However, tubers do not always have to be bought new in stores. They can also be overwintered well. After the hibernation they sprout again. They can even be shared multiple times to get even more new plants.

What are the benefits of forcing?

In order for the begonia to flower earlier, its growth must start earlier. However, the tubers of the begonia are sensitive to frost and should never be woken up too early from hibernation. Only after the ice saints can they be planted directly in the bed or in pots. How quickly they then sprout also depends on the prevailing weather conditions. But even under ideal conditions, the plant still needs several weeks before it can bloom. However, the later it flowers, the shorter the flowering phase. It's a shame, because her flowers are so numerous and colorful. Driving the nodules gives you an important head start. In bright and warm rooms, the plant can develop early, so that it can flower soon after planting.

The right time to advance

Tubers that are supposed to sprout indoors also need suitable conditions for this. Above all, this includes sufficient heat and light. While indoor temperature can be easily controlled, natural light is dependent on day length. The ideal time for driving also depends on this criterion. In any case, the dark winter must be awaited. However, as soon as the days are longer and brighter, tunneling can begin.

• possible from February at the earliest
• the month of March is ideal
• even April brings a noticeable time advantage

The optimal conditions

The begonias need a location where they can voluntarily wake up from their hibernation at an early stage. Heat and light must be right, only then will new green life develop from the tuber.

• Temperature should always be at least be 10 degrees
• 15 degrees is ideal
• Driving is also possible at room temperature
• warmth that comes from below is helpful
• e.g. B. From a radiator just below the window sill
• bright window seat provides sufficient light
• partially shaded basement windows are also suitable

Suitable vessels

Begonia tubers must be planted in the ground for propulsion. Suitable vessels are required for this.

• pots
• Peel
• boxes
• and similar containers
• must be big enough
• provided with drainage holes

The right substrate

Commercial potting soil is perfectly adequate for growing begonias. Mature begonia plants do not like waterlogging. This also applies to tubers that sprout fresh. Therefore, some sand should be added to the potting soil so that it becomes looser and more permeable. Excess water can drain quickly through the pot holes.

Instructions for propelling

The individual steps for driving bulbous begonias are described in detail below. It is important to strictly adhere to this, because the begonias can only start the outdoor season with flower buds if the propulsion is successful.

1. Get a sufficient number of suitable pots, soil and begonia tubers in good time.
2. Place the tubers in a bucket of lukewarm water where they will soak for about 24 hours.
3. Place in a drainage layer at the bottom of the pots to allow excess water to drain well. The drainage layer is particularly important if the begonias are to remain in these pots throughout the summer.
4. Fill the pots with soil. However, leave several centimeters free.
5. Divide the tubers if you want multiple plants. Each section should have at least one drive eye.
6. Lay the tubers on the ground, cupped side down. Put each tuber in its own pot. Several tubers can only be planted in very large containers. These should be placed so that they are as far apart as possible.
7. Cover bulbs halfway with soil. The upper half of the tuber, the one with the plate-like indentation, must not be covered. The shoots, if they are already visible, must look out of the ground.
8. Water the soil. Only put the water on the soil, never on the tuber itself.
9. Place the pots with the tubers in a suitable location. A temperature of around 15 degrees is ideal. If they are much warmer, the shoots will soften and the roots will not develop well.
10. Never let the soil dry out completely. Spraying the soil with a bottle has proven itself. Twice a week is sufficient. Waterlogging should be avoided. The tuber must not get too wet either. If water collects on it, it can cause rot.
11. Give the pots a lighter and warmer location as soon as the first light-colored shoots appear. Now a little more can be poured, as the water requirement increases. However, waterlogging should still be avoided.
12. Pinch off any flower buds that appear as early as March and April. This saves the plant energy for the main flowering period from May.
13. Transplant individual begonias if you find they have become too crowded in the current pot.
14. Harden off the plants. To do this, place the pots outside during the day as soon as the temperature climbs above 15 degrees. Start with a few hours and gradually increase the time. Choose a shady to partially shaded spot out of direct sunlight. Pay attention to the weather forecast and, as a precaution, bring the young begonias inside at night so that they do not suffer from late night frosts.

Plant out advanced tubers

The right time for planting out the tubers is after the ice saints in mid-May. The temperatures prevailing during the day are not decisive as long as there is still a risk of sub-zero temperatures at night. Don't let sunny April days tempt you to act too early.

Overwinter tubers for the next season

If begonias are to continue blooming next year, they need timely protection from the winter cold. They are not hardy. They can die off even with a slight frost. The tubers can overwinter well indoors and can be encouraged to thrive early in spring. This is how you get new plants for free.

• Stop watering from September
• Let the soil dry around the bulb
• Dig up bulbs after foliage has withered
• Digging must be done before the first frost
• around November
• Let the tuber dry and remove the soil
• Storage in an air-permeable box with dry sand
• optimal storage temperature is 5 to 7 degrees
• dry, dark and cool room is ideal winter quarters

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