I bought a dozen plants mail order, put them in the ground in early spring and by Mother's day, all but one were thriving. Tuberous begonias like these Nonstop begonias, don't grow all year and will go fully dormant in the fall. Cut back most of the top of the plant, leaving the ball of roots and soil intact. Q: I planted 'Dragon Begonias' this year on the advice of a friend after complaining that NOTHING would flower in my shady yard. It's important not to damage or nick the tuber. Take the following steps to save your potted tuberous begonia tubers: Remove plant from pot before hard frosts occur. The tubers can be saved over the winter and planted again the next spring for another year of showy color. The problem is that they are more likely to rot if they remain buried in soil. The tuber may continue to send out new growth during the winter, but this growth will end up being spindly and weak. Check locally to find out exactly which plants survive outdoors all year […] Some experts recommend trimming the long-hanging fronds before you bring ferns indoors, but that isn’t necessary with this method. The tuberous Begonia group REQUIRES winter dormancy. My husband bought me another four plants at a local nursery and I planted them in the same area. Begonias add color to shaded areas of the garden where other flowers refuse to bloom. Because they’ll simply go dormant for the winter. By crossing the winter-flowering Begonia socotrana with the tuberous kinds, a race of Begonias has been obtained which begins to flower in October and continues until the end of January. Instead, you must bring the begonias in to a protected area to over-winter them. Like most bulbs, tuberous begonias need a period of dormancy – … Fertilizing Guidelines Fertilizing a hanging begonia every other time you give it water helps keep the plant growing and flowering during it active season, usually from spring until early fall. Once the plant has gone completely dormant most gardeners remove the tuber from the soil. Whether grown indoors or in the garden, a begonia slows its growth during winter when it rests, so cut back watering during the winter months. The tuber is usually found where the stems meet the ground. In cold-winter climate areas, many container-grown perennials, trees, and shrubs can’t be left out in the elements — even if the same plants growing in the ground are perfectly hardy. Trim stalks and flowers, leaving about 5 inches of stem on the tuber. Potted Begonia waking up in late winter (Photo by Dugald Cameron) It seems a shame, but tuberous begonias are often flowering at their best in late summer, just when it’s time to bring them indoors. Water sparingly (or not at all) until spring. Even in relatively warmer climates, however, it is often still advisable to dig up your begonias and store them for the winter. During summer, it may have expanded, so investigate carefully. A tender perennial, begonia does not survive over winter in areas prone to freezing temperatures. Q: How can I carry tuberous begonias over the winter? A: Storing tuberous begonias is not difficult. Note: If your begonias were potted and not in beds, you can put the pots in an indoor place where the tubers won't get wet. Store potted begonias in a cool dark room, or a room that gets low light. Lift the tuber gently with a trowel or two spoons. When you choose perennials for containers, you need to consider their climate adaptability. 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