How to Dry Out Begonia Bulbs for Storing
Gardeners living in regions where begonias will not survive the winter months in the ground must remove them from the soil before the ground freezes in the autumn. Carefully dig up the begonia bulbs and hang them in a warm and dry location for approximately one week. After the begonia bulbs are sufficiently dry, it is safe to store them with peat moss in a cardboard box until it is time to plant them in the spring again.
Dig up the begonia bulbs from the soil in the autumn. Watch the begonia plants for signs it is time to remove them. When the foliage turns yellow and the weather has turned cold enough to frost at night, it is time to dig up the bulbs.
Shake and brush off soil and dirt from around the bulbs. If any of the begonia bulbs appear to be decaying or unhealthy, discard these. Tie twine loosely around the remaining bulbs and hang them from the rafters of a warm basement for approximately one week to dry.
- Gardeners living in regions where begonias will not survive the winter months in the ground must remove them from the soil before the ground freezes in the autumn.
- After the begonia bulbs are sufficiently dry, it is safe to store them with peat moss in a cardboard box until it is time to plant them in the spring again.
Bring the begonia bulbs down from the rafters after one week and use the garden shears to cut off any remaining foliage down to approximately ½ inch from the top of the bulbs.
Fill the cardboard box about half-full with peat moss and place the dried begonia bulbs onto the peat moss. Ensure that the bulbs are not touching each other in the box.
Place the box in a location with a constant temperature of 35 to 45 degrees.
Check on the begonia bulbs periodically throughout the winter. If you find bulbs with decay, remove these and discard them.
Dry Out Begonia Bulbs For Storing
Cut the begonia foliage down to 6 inches with hand pruners after the first frost or when foliage turns yellow in the late fall. Work a garden fork into the soil around the plant to loosen it. Push the tines in 4 to 6 inches from the stem of the begonia to avoid damaging the fleshy tubers. Pull the plant out by the stem and gently knock off any dirt; don't worry if some large clods remain around the tubers. Fill the bottom of a shallow cardboard box or planting tray with 2 inches of peat moss. Store the box or tray in a dark, cool but frost-free location.
- Bring the begonia bulbs down from the rafters after one week and use the garden shears to cut off any remaining foliage down to approximately ½ inch from the top of the bulbs.
- Push the tines in 4 to 6 inches from the stem of the begonia to avoid damaging the fleshy tubers.
Related Articles
References
- Missouri Botanical Garden: Begonia (Tuberosa Group)
- University of Illinois Extension: Bulb Basics
- Royal Horticultural Society: Overwintering Tender Plants: Lifting or Mulching
- Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens: Growing and Caring for Tuberous Begonias
- University of California Extension: October Tips
Writer Bio
Kathryn Hatter is a veteran home-school educator, as well as an accomplished gardener, quilter, crocheter, cook, decorator and digital graphics creator. As a regular contributor to Natural News, many of Hatter's Internet publications focus on natural health and parenting. Hatter has also had publication on home improvement websites such as Redbeacon.
