[Growster...]

We've never really done well with Begonias, and what few tubers we had in the past are long gone now.

As there have been so many gorgeous annuals for sale locally, we've rather swamped the place with quite a few trays, and to be fair, they're looking lovely, but, reading up on them, (and also even seeing it on the label yesterday), we should have been pinching these out all this time, and never have done!

Is there a secret to all this, as by now, they're everywhere...

[mrs bouquet]

The just look great to me.  Sometimes, when they are about the size of yours, I will take a few of the tallest stalks, then later on some more if I think they need it.   No hard and fast rule with these obliging girls.  Do what you think suits you.   Mrs Bouquet

[Growster...]

Thank you, Mrs B!

They seem such forgiving plants, and we really love them as their leaves are gorgeous as well!

We'll just enjoy seeing them and let them get on with it!

[jambop]

Thank you, Mrs B!

They seem such forgiving plants, and we really love them as their leaves are gorgeous as well!

We'll just enjoy seeing them and let them get on with it!

My wife has been growing these in the garden in open ground and what we are finding is that the will survive a winter here even if we get a bit of frost. I always thought that they were very tender and would die but even the ones in pots did well when over wintered. They seem to get better as they age!

[mrs bouquet]

Mine seem to survive the winter as well.  I think there is nothing there and then a couple of baby shiny green leaves appear.  A must have for me.  Mrs B

[Goosegirl]

I love begonias as they're such good doers but I like the big, blowsy ones. I got some plug plants early on and potted them on, but they took ages to get really going so I made a bit of a mistake when I planted up my oak barrels 'cos I put them a bit too close together. I don't think this type need pinching out though.

[mrs bouquet]

With the large showy begonias, you will see two types of flowers.  The lesser flower is the female and the big blowsy one is the male.  If you want very big male flowers, then pinch the females out and put them in a little vase in your kitchen.    Mrs B

[Goosegirl]

I didn't know that and was going to ask on here. Thanks MB.