Although you can buy new begonias every year for a small price, it is worth overwintering the plants. This requires little effort and saves money.
As summer draws to a close, it's time for hibernation for the busy blooming begonias. In principle, begonias can remain outside until the first frost, but then the dormant phase begins. Then you need to prepare your potted and outdoor begonias for hibernation. Tub and box plants always overwinter in the container. For outdoor begonias, on the other hand, you'll need to dig up the bulbs and store in a cool, dark place until next spring.
Overwintering begonias in pots
If you grow begonias as balcony or container plants, the plants stay in the pot over the winter. An exception are the annual ice begonias, which unfortunately you have to say goodbye to after the summer. Tuberous begonias, on the other hand, survive the dormant period well and will sprout again in the next season.
» Preparing begonias for hibernation
Remove dead plant parts and dead leaves and then shorten the shoots to about eight to ten centimetres. The best place to overwinter is in a cool, well-ventilated place.
» Water requirements of begonias during hibernation
During the hibernation, potted begonias need very little water. So the soil is allowed to dry out in between. However, you still need to water carefully every now and then.
» End hibernation of begonias
In spring you have to slowly get the plants used to the sun and the warm temperatures again. To do this, first place the plants on the windowsill or in the conservatory. From May, when there is no more frost, the plants can go outside.
Storing tuberous begonias and allowing them to sprout again
With outdoor begonias, it is important that you get the tubers out of the ground before the first frost. The plants are very sensitive to frost.
» Getting begonias out of the ground
Dig up the outdoor begonias and cut the above ground parts as welldescribed back. You then have to let the dug up plants and the tubers dry thoroughly for four weeks.
» Store begonia bulbs
Now remove the excess soil, roots and dead leaves and stems and then put the tubers in a box with peat. Cover the tubers lightly and it is best to place the box in a cool basement. Darkness, good ventilation and temperatures around ten degrees are ideal conditions. You should keep the peat substrate slightly moist. However, under no circumstances should it become wet.
» End hibernation of begonia bulbs
The tubers are allowed to leave their winter quarters as early as January/February. To do this, place the tubers in pots with fresh soil. The dent in each tuber must point upwards. The new shoots then develop from this dent. Then cover the tubers thinly with soil and keep the substrate moderately moist. The first shoots will soon form on the bright window sill.
» Planting begonias outdoors
As soon as the weather forecast is favorable and there is no longer any threat of frost, your begonias can go outside again, either as balcony plants or as bedding plants.
Summary:
- Pruning potted plants and overwintering in the pot
- choose a bright, cool, well-ventilated location
- Dig up tuberous begonias, cut back and leave to dry for four weeks
- store in peat, preferably in a cool and dark cellar
- Put the tubers in the ground in the spring and wait for new growth
- put outside only after the frost period