Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Growing => General Gardening => Topic started by: Goosegirl on February 02, 2022, 11:18

Title: Starting off last year's begonia tubers.
Post by: Goosegirl on February 02, 2022, 11:18

I did as said on here and they are currently stored on racks in my shed. I'm thinking of putting them in plastic seed trays filled with compost and separated by dividers made from cut-off bits of plastic milk bottles as I don't know how many will be viable. I have a mini-greenhouse with a plastic cover that I used in my greenhouse last year where I plan to put them. Does this sound a good idea and when would be the best time to do this?

Title: Re: Starting off last year's begonia tubers.
Post by: mumofstig on February 02, 2022, 12:37

Advice is to start them into growth 8 weeks before your expected last frost, so maybe leave it a few more weeks before you do?

Title: Re: Starting off last year's begonia tubers.
Post by: Debz on February 03, 2022, 09:21

Mine are still wrapped in paper and hiding in the cupboard under the stairs.  It will be the end of the month before I even think about taking them out.

Title: Re: Starting off last year's begonia tubers.
Post by: Goosegirl on February 10, 2022, 11:28

Sorry, I should have said that I'm not intending to start them off now but will do so in early April.

Title: Re: Starting off last year's begonia tubers.
Post by: Debz on February 11, 2022, 11:20

Early April might be a little late for them as they may have big pale shoots from being kept in the dark too long.  Have a wee peek at them every so often and you'll soon see if they are ready to get going - just protect them from frost once you get them started.