Starting Tuberous Begonias Under Lights

17 years ago

If anyone has some advice, where can I buy the starts of some special begonias, and I'd appreciate knowing WHEN should I start them under lights so I can plant or pot them here in Southern Illinois next Spring?

In the past I just spend tons per year to buy these plants (if I can even find them) and in the past I haven't tried to overwinter them. Last year the squirrels got to them, but I've learned how to maybe defeat the squirrels next year.

In the catalogues I get and the websites I've found... I'm not seeing anyone who sells the hearts of these types of incredible begonias like I used to buy and dispose of. (duhh jim)

Next summer I'll build a greenhouse again, but for now I'd just like to get a head start on the begonias because wth shade conditions at my lake, they do better than anything except hostas.

curious and lost here in southern Illinois...

jim

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Comments (5)

ljrmiller
17 years ago
You can get tuberous begonia seed from Antonelli Brothers in Santa Cruz. I figure the seed grows just like any other begonia seed I've tried so far--light and warmth (I use a heat mat and fluorescent grow lights). Antonelli's also has tubers ranging from really little kinda generic ones up to gigantic show begonias in quantities from 1 to gazillions.

I'm guessing that it would be good to start begonias from seed as soon as possible so they are big enough to set out when the temperatures warm. I started mine too late, and had to drag in all my little seedling pots to overwinter under grow lights. Hey--it's an adventure :-)

Stokes Seed has a whole range of tuberous begonia seed, and I don't think it's too expensive considering the quantity you get.
aftermidnight Zone7b B.C. Canada
17 years ago
Antonelli Brothers have moved, I think they are in Watsonville Ca. now. Purchased seed from them several times. I had really good luck with germination, and got some very good exibition quality Begonias from the seed.

A......
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I uses to live in San Francisco and had no problems with begonias growing under a porch. They always bloomed profusely and tubers always got bigger each year. Even the seeds i started in march of 2011 made tubers the size of a baseball. Albeit, we have a long growing season and the right temps. I gave them all up and moved to MA and boy is gardening different. I started with Blackmore and Langdon seeds feb of 2013 indoors in Boston. Those that survived the move outside all created tubers the size of a peanut to the size of a golf all. Out of about 100 seedlings, I culled out about half that did not have double blooms and the next spring, only about 20 made it. I kept them too cool in the basement. None bloomed summer of 2014. Mainly because I used regular topsoil with some weird mulch incorporated. They did all survive and their tubers were slightly bigger. I have started more Blackmore and Langdon seeds.mi started a batch dec 15 2014 and about 100 have been reported into 50 cell trays. I just started another batch last week just for backup. They grew really well when I had them under a 4foot shoplight on a shelf above the stove but started dying and damping off when i moved them to the basement with no bottom heat. My advice is to start very early if you want tubers and enough time to evaluate flowers to cull, being feb a the latestThey generally create tubers in the fall when day length decreases so they need enough leaves and a big enough root system to do that by September. Also give them bottom heat and use a looserepackaged potting mix. I made the mistake of potting them up in whatever was around only to find the the pH of the black mulch I used was close to 7.5
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juju, it's best not to use manure in pots, even composted one. and certainly not raw! begonias are very prone to all kinds of fungal issues and you are taking a big chance. use seaweed/fish emulsion instaed, if you want organic fertilizer. and it is best to start them in small pots and then uppot a couple of times until you reach a 12" pot. you started yours outdoors way too early. when tubers do not have enough roots they rot easily when temps are below 55f. temperatures ARE of issue. both low and high. they hold foliage well and even bloom in the 50s, but they need a well developed root system to do that. and also need to be kept on the dry side. but... when plants are young and tender, roots need higher temps to grow faster - 60s at least. your plastic covers are a good idea! the big one looks good - but you need to stake it, or it can break off very easily at the base. the link below is the most detailed guide to cultivation i've ever found. they are grown for cut-flower competition, so you won't necessarily do the same, but there is a lot of detail that is very useful. Here is a link that might be useful: british grower diary
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Probably the reason your begonias kept growing, could be the day length you are giving them under the lights. At 12 hours or more growth will continue, get below this and the plants top growth will slow and put the energy into the tuber.Reducing day length more will make them think about going to rest. Should conditions be right, (day length and temperature)growth can continue indefinately. You have probably cut the foliage down by now, and the tubers should start off without any problem, you could put them onto warmth and they should be growing again in 3 to 4 weeks. The growth of tuberous begonias like many plants is governed by day length, one of the reasons why growing tuberous begonias in an area nearer the equator is almost impossible.
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This is my second year for waking up begonia tubers so I'm by no means an expert but this is what has worked for me... I keep/store each tuber in it's own small paper bag and place them in a cool area of the house (I dont have room to bring in the containers). Mid February/early March I take the bags out of cool storage and bring them into room temperature. Within two weeks they have sprouts. I put them in some moist (not too wet) peat moss in 4' pots and cover with about 1/2 inch of more peat moss. You don't want them to get too wet since they don't have roots yet. I have the pots in a sunny window. I will probably put them under grow lights if I have room (but it's not necessary). I hope this helps. Check out www.begonias.ca for great information on waking up begonias. Here is a link that might be useful: Begonia Info
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eloise_ca
17 years ago
Glad I read this post. I have been looking for begonias and have now gone to the Antonelli website. Will be placing an order soon! If anyone is interested, this is their website: http://antonellibegonias.com/
aftermidnight Zone7b B.C. Canada
17 years ago
Here's a hint that worked for me last year:
The tuberous Begonia's I've grown from seed have formed very small tubers by the end of the first season, some smaller then my little fingernail. To make the tubers bigger last September I pinched out all the flowers and buds, and the growing tips the first part of September. Hard to do, but it really does help. I also gave them a dose of Potash, treated all my tubers this way and what a difference. Got this tip from the B.C. Fuchsia and Begonia Society's newsletter. The article was originally from the Canadian Begonia Society's September/October 2001 newsletter.

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tted
17 years ago
Hi..starting seed is quite doable. Growing them in So Ill may be a bit tricky. But that's another issue for now.

Yes lights..heat @ about 75. Be careful about too much bottom heat. Even a mini-heating pad/baged in plastic set on "low low" can be a bit too much. If you do use a heating pad for heat raise your germination container up an inch or two.

I suggest you use a plastic table grape or kiwi container. The have lids and vent holes (will keep the humidity high.)

Make sure you microwave the growing medium/use a fungicide for the initial watering and/or misting.

B seed is extra fine. I suggest you divide your seed into 3 or so portions (errors/stay under 100 seedlings.) Freeze the remaing seed in a air tight Glad sandwich pouch. It'll keep for years.

Use a playing card or evelope end to strike the mini-rows an inch apart. Your should have room or 6 or 7 4" rows a quarter inch deep is deep enough..use a pencil to very lightly cover the seed. The initial misting will carry the seed into the mix far enough.

Antonelli seed has a good reputation for germination. We just returned from NZ spent some time at Beautiful Begonias on Golden Bay (http://www.beautifulbegonias.com/)

They use Antonelli seed (have been for 10-15 yrs)..must have 2-4k seedlings which customers tag (see blooms)and get the tubers at season's end. They get 90% plus germination/speak highly of Antonelli seed.

Another excellent source is Blackmore & Langdon in the UK (http://www.blackmore-langdon.co.uk/). B & L are the gold standard for commercial exhibition quality tuberous begonias. They package their seed in a variety of packets..I'd suggestthe packet containing 6 named colors. Expect to pay $50 or so dollars when your done (seed, post, inspection.) The cost from Antonelli will be comparable (if not a bit more (http://antonellibegonias.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=29_62&osCsid=c3bc725a3765c58359f52b93823db280)

Germination should take from 7-20 days. Good two leaf seedlings in 6 weeks. Prick them out into a six pack...keep on sizing up as they grow.

Granted it would be perferable to seed in Feb or late Jan..but you should make mini-tubers even with an (early) April seeding -- and a bit of luck.

We lived east of Cobden for close to 40 years (farmed/gardened) while I taught @ SIUC. I found begonias took care I wasn't too good at providing. Here (west of Seattle) we have a micro climate that is great for begonias (and not hot enough for good tasting tomatoes.) So it goes.

Before I forget, find a copy of Mike Stevens' "Begonias" (www.amazon.com/Begonias-Mike-Stevens/dp/1552975517)

Good luck, Ted Buila

Starting Tuberous Begonias Under Lights

Comments (5)

ljrmiller

aftermidnight Zone7b B.C. Canada

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eloise_ca

aftermidnight Zone7b B.C. Canada

tted

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