How to store tuberous begonia. How to organize proper wintering of begonias. Ampelous red begonia

Decorative deciduous, bushy and tuberous begonias, blooming beautifully and profusely, have long become a decoration of apartment interiors. With proper care, they can bloom in winter. IN lately ornamental culture migrated to garden plot and copes well with the function assigned to it - bright flowers and rich greenery transform the area, making it bright and original. But tuberous begonia, as a heat-loving plant, needs to be dug up for the winter in order to preserve the tubers until the next season. If certain rules are followed, they are stored well and bloom profusely throughout the season.

Features of tuberous begonia

Hybrid varieties and varieties are combined under the name “Tuberous Begonia” garden perennial, which can be grown and how indoor flower. Tuberous begonias are divided into types:

• large-flowered (7-20cm);
• medium-flowered (up to 7cm);
• small-flowered (up to 4cm);
• ampelous.

Tubers are formed on the stem below the root collar and above the place where the cotyledons are attached. The stem in the lower part of the shoot thickens barely noticeably when the development of the first leaves begins, then, after a few years, the thickening (tuber) reaches 5-6 cm in diameter and accumulates a large amount of nutrients.

The tubers of young plants differ in shape - they are spherical, while in adult begonias they are flattened, angular, with powerful fibrous roots. Renewal buds are formed 3-5.

The stem is usually thickened, strong, branching, succulent, growing up to 25-30 cm. The color and shape of the leaf plate is varied. Flowers (double and non-double) are similar in shape to roses, peonies, daffodils, carnations, camellias, and can be single or grouped into inflorescences. Flowering begins in June and continues until mid-autumn.

Information! Distinctive feature is the formation of flowers of different sexes. Males can be identified by their larger size, double petals and early flowering, female flowers smaller and their petals (4-5) are smooth.

Why does begonia need to be dug up?

The natural habitat of tuberous begonias is humid tropical and subtropical regions. Heat-loving plants are characterized by a dormant period when they rest from the active phase of growth and flowering, gaining strength for the next season. If this cycle is disrupted, begonias slow down their growth, stop reproducing and lose their decorative properties.

Digging up tubers and proper storage create optimal conditions for rest and do not disturb the natural rhythms of the plant.

Reference! The dormant period lasts approximately from the end of November to the end of February.

The second reason for digging is that the structure of the tubers and stems is such that they freeze at subzero temperatures.

How to prepare tuberous begonia for winter

Before digging it must pass certain time, during which the plant will prepare as much as possible for the procedure. Already in September, it is necessary to significantly reduce the volume of watering and completely stop applying any fertilizers that activate life processes both in the tuber and in the above-ground part.

Advice! To stop the flow of excess moisture in damp autumn weather, it is recommended to build protection over the begonias, for example, stretch a film. In bad weather, without waiting for the tubers to ripen, you can dig up the bushes without cutting the stems and move them in a clod of earth to a room where they will ripen. After the bush withers, treat it in the same way as street begonias.

The buds and shoots that have just begun to grow should be removed, but the stems should not be touched, allowing them to wither naturally. Then, after the leaves fall and the stems droop, trim the above-ground part to a low stump (1cm).

In this form, the bushes last 1-2 weeks without watering or any other intervention.

Digging time

An important condition for a good wintering of tubers is their maturity - strong and ripened tubers are well stored, and in the spring they will quickly grow and bloom on time.

When to dig up begonias for the winter depends on the weather. If temperatures are around +9°-10°C, then the procedure can already be carried out. In case of unexpected frosts, bushes can be easily protected using covering material, paper. A slight decrease in temperature to sub-zero does not harm the underground part.

It is impossible to determine the dates by dates - they are different in each locality. Approximately this is the last days of October or the beginning of mid-November.

When such conditions occur, the tubers need to be dug up and placed in a vertical position in boxes or boxes for drying in a room with moderate temperature and good ventilation. There is no need to clean off the soil when digging - you just need to shake off the excess, and after drying, when it dries, it will fall off on its own.

Note! Some stems are cut off after digging - this makes it convenient to remove the bush from the ground.

Young begonias grown from seeds and growing into autumn as green seedlings should be handled differently, since their tubers have not yet formed - they need to be dug up with a clod of earth, placed in a bright and cool place for the winter and watered occasionally.

Indoor begonias, after the aerial parts have withered, are cut off and placed in a bright room with moderate temperatures until spring. The soil should be moistened 1-2 times a month.

Storage methods

Storage options depend on the number of tubers and their size. Larger and large quantities It is better to store in the basement, and small nodules in the refrigerator to avoid drying out.

Basement

After drying, the remaining soil must be removed from the tubers, being careful not to damage the skin, sorted by size and variety, and placed in cardboard (wooden) boxes or containers with small cells. Sprinkle moisture-absorbing material on top and between the layers: sand, peat, sawdust, vermiculite, moss or a mixture of equal parts thereof. Be sure to regularly inspect and remove tubers that are rotting or showing signs of disease.

Important! Due to high humidity, a cellar is not suitable for storing begonias.

Apartment

In an apartment suitable place near the balcony door, insulated balcony or loggia. Small batches of tubers are stored, as in the basement, in boxes or boxes in a sand-peat mixture or in a mixture of sawdust, peat, moss.

Indoor begonias, after cutting the stems, are also stored in the apartment in a cool and bright place.

Fridge

It is convenient to store small batches of tubers or those that are too small in size in the refrigerator in bags with holes for ventilation. The nodules are sprinkled with sawdust or each one is wrapped in paper, placed in a bag and stored in a vegetable drawer.

Storage problems

IN winter period Tubers also need care: they are inspected to remove diseased and dried ones, they are supported optimal mode humidity in the room.

Possible problems:

1. If the sand in the boxes is dry, you can slightly moisten it with a spray bottle, but do not wet it too much, so as not to cause rotting of the tubers.
2. If the sand is too wet and the room is warm, the tubers may germinate ahead of time. The sprouts that appear should be broken off, and the tubers should be dried and moved to a cooler place.
3. When stored in the refrigerator, sprouts appear due to high humidity. The sprouts must be removed, the tubers dried, each wrapped in paper, placed in a bag with holes and placed back.

If you dig up tuberous begonia on time and store it correctly, then the life rhythms of the plant are not disturbed - in the spring it will delight you with early flowering.

Introducing autumn and winter care for begonias different conditions. We tell you how to prepare tuberous begonia for winter: when to dig it up and how to store the tubers.

We also describe caring for begonias in winter at home, caring for young flowers, and what to do with begonias in the garden after winter.

Is it necessary and when to dig up begonia for the winter? What's the difference?

Begonias mostly heat-loving plants and preparing them for winter for flower growers is an important task on which their future fate depends.

When approaching the question of how to care for autumn and how to prepare begonia for winter, it is necessary to take into account the type of begonia, its condition and personal preferences.

In open ground in the CIS, tuberous begonia is grown, which is an ornamental flowering species or ever-flowering begonia, as an annual plant.

Tuberous begonia is hybrid varieties, united by the presence of perennial tubers.

1. Experts recommend that large tubers of begonias (they bloomed in the open ground in summer) should be placed in peat/sand after the above-ground part of the plant dies in the fall and stored in a cool place during dormancy. At the beginning of spring, begonia tubers begin to germinate.
2. Large tubers of begonias (they bloomed in pots in the summer) can be left in the pot after the above-ground part of the plant dies in the fall. It is necessary to move the plants to a cold place.
3. Begonias grown from seeds and flowers with small tubers are recommended to be stored in winter in a cool and bright place and watered moderately.

• Each tuberous begonia needs a period of rest - at least 2 months a year, and preferably about 100 days (minimum January-February).

Preparing tuberous begonia for winter growing in open ground

Now let's move on to the story of how to prepare tuberous begonia for wintering to obtain tubers.

After the end of flowering, the aerial part of the begonia gradually dies off and the tubers begin to actively develop, accumulating nutrients. After the accumulation of nutrients in the tubers, the begonia will begin a period of rest.

• Some experts recommend not digging up tuberous begonias from the ground for as long as possible.

This allows the begonia tubers to accumulate maximum quantity nutrients. They believe that there is no need to be afraid of the first frosts and rush to dig up begonias.

This option is suitable for mature plants with large tubers.

• In our instructions for digging up begonia tubers, we present an option with earlier digging up begonia with a lump of earth.

Tuberous begonia, hybrid

Digging up begonia tubers for the winter

1. In September, when there is a threat of the first frost, dig up a tuberous begonia with a clod of earth, as much as possible larger size.
2. Begonias that grew in containers are taken out in a solid lump by tapping on the bottom of the pot.
3. After digging, begonias are sorted by tuber size. Experienced flower growers It is recommended to separate small (diameter less than 2 cm) and large begonia tubers as small tubers are more prone to drying out.
4. Then the begonia with a lump of earth is placed tightly together in boxes and they are placed in a ventilated, bright place protected from rain with a temperature of 14-16 degrees Celsius. Watering is reduced.
5. At this time, the above-ground part of the begonia begins to gradually die off. After the leaves fall off, watering the plants is stopped. After flowering, begonia begins a period of rest.
6. After the aerial part has completely died off (1-1.5 months), the tuberous begonia is cut off at a level of 2-3 cm from the ground. Pruning helps avoid infection of tubers by pathogenic fungi.
7. 12-16 days after pruning, begonia tubers are cleared of soil and sprinkled with dry sand or peat and placed in boxes.

ADVIСE. It is convenient to dig up begonia tubers from open ground with a pitchfork (garden fork).

The main thing is to dig up the begonia tubers along with the soil (soil mixture) and under no circumstances shake it off.

• Adult begonias with large tubers can be dug up 12-16 days after pruning dying shoots. Those. start from point 5.

Tuberous begonia: winter storage

1. Boxes with small and large begonia tubers are stored from November to the end of February at a temperature of 7-9 degrees Celsius.
2. The box with tubers is periodically sprayed: large tubers - once a month, and small begonia tubers - once every 3 weeks, so that they do not dry out. They also remove rotten tubers, if any.

• There is no need to divide the tubers before storing.

Storing begonia tubers in the refrigerator in winter

If you want to store begonia tubers in winter not in a basement or cellar, then after sorting they can be put in a plastic bag filled with peat, sawdust or moss and put in the refrigerator.

The bag with tubers is periodically taken out and moistened, similar to point 2 in the chapter “Storing tubers in winter.”

Begonia tuber

Preparing young begonias for winter: care in the first year

Young plants with small tubers, after digging out of the garden, are recommended to be placed with a ball of earth in separate boxes.

1. Young begonias experience a relative period of dormancy and their above-ground parts often remain green in winter. Young flowers overwinter in boxes in a bright, cool place with moderate watering.
2. With the onset of spring, young flowers begin to grow again. In April-May they are transplanted into separate pots, and in early June, if desired, the plants can be transplanted into open ground.
3. Having lived in pots all summer, begonias begin to prepare for a period of rest. After the leaves fall in the fall, stop watering the begonias.
4. In October, the wilted shoots of the potted plant are pruned. tuberous begonia at a level of 1-2 cm from the ground.
5. Then, until the beginning of March, the flower pots are removed to the coldest place in the house or to the basement, cellar, or balcony. Water the tray occasionally and little to prevent the tubers from drying out.
6. At the beginning of March, the pots are moved to a bright place and begin to be watered more abundantly. When the sprouts appear, the begonia tubers are delicately cleaned of the substrate and transplanted into a new one. soil mixture.

Wintering tuberous begonia in a pot: care at home

Begonia with large tubers, which bloomed in a pot in summer, can be left in it for the winter after the above-ground part dies off.

1. To ensure that begonia continues to bloom as long as possible, place it in a bright place, but out of direct sunlight. sun rays. Water the begonias in the apartment when the nutrient substrate in the pot dries, approximately once every 10-14 days.
2. When the begonia gets tired of flowering or it stops blooming on its own, stop watering, cut it off (2-3 cm from the ground) and move it to a dark and cool place (basement, cellar).
3. In January-February, tubers are taken out of the ground and wrapped in wet towel and place it in a plastic bag (it should be slightly open) next to the battery.
4. After about 2-3 weeks, the first shoots appear. Tubers are planted for forcing in small pots (500 g plastic cups) with wet soil. The tubers are lightly pressed into the ground.
5. After 2-3 weeks, the begonia is transferred to a new permanent pot, and the tubers are covered with a 2-4 cm layer of soil mixture on top.

This method is well suited for tuberous begonias growing in pots.

Begonia after winter: care and planting in spring

In March-April, begonia buds begin to swell, and the plant gradually emerges from dormancy. Now you can carry out cuttings of ever-flowering begonia or planting tuberous begonia for germination in moist peat.

1. 2-3 months before planting begonias on permanent place(March-April) tubers are taken out of the sand/peat and planted in pots/containers for germination (forcing).
   If the begonia was stored in winter in boxes with a lump of earth, then simply take them out.
2. The tubers are planted with the top side up (the flatter or concave part with the buds (tubercles/irregularities)).
3. For good germination, begonia tubers need a temperature of 17-20 degrees Celsius, high humidity and regular watering. In 2-3 weeks, the first shoots of begonia reach approximately 5-6 cm in height. In general, tubers germinate unevenly and for a long time.
4. It is at this stage that it is recommended to propagate tuberous begonia by cuttings or division. The tubers can be cut into several parts, the main thing is that each has 3-4 buds. Typically, old tubers are divided into 2-4 parts; it is advisable to process the cut areas charcoal.
5. After the sprouts get stronger, grow and the first leaves form, the begonia tubers from the boxes can be planted in separate pots.
   Sprinkle soil mixture on top of the sprouts to the base of the first pair of leaves. It is advisable to add wood ash and humus.
6. It is recommended to plant begonia in open ground in early June, and in separate pots/containers on the balcony in mid-late May.
7. For planting in open ground, choose a place protected from the winds with loose nutritious soil in partial shade or light, but with a minimum of scorching rays of the sun.

Tuberous begonia is a flower that loves warmth. They can survive the winter period only in a state of sleep. Already in September, the flower independently prepares for a state of dormancy, shedding leaves and getting rid of stems. Let's talk about storing tuberous begonias in winter.

In the first year of life, Begonia tubers are small and weak, so they need special care. If you leave them to be stored together with adult plants for the winter, then there is a possibility that the first-year plants will die.

Young tubers are removed from the garden and placed together with a lump of earth in boxes, where the peat mixture has already been prepared. The peculiarity of first-years is that their period of rest is a relative concept. Often their upper part (stems and leaves) remains green for the winter. Therefore, flowers in boxes are placed in light and a cool place. Watering at this time is required infrequently. It is enough to moisten the soil a little once or twice a month. In spring the plant again enters the stage active growth. In April, they should be transplanted first into pots with peat, and then, closer to summer, planted in the ground.

In the second year, the plant independently and consciously prepares for hibernation, this time in the fall by the month of October his upper one dies off part that then needs to be cut off.

Dormant period and awakening of tubers

The period of rest or hibernation in ever-flowering begonia starts in November and continues until early spring. With the help of this event, the plant hides from the cold. Main task during this period, flower growers preserve the tubers and protect them from drying out.

If the flower is sent for storage early, she may not have time to prepare for bed, since the supply of nutrients at this moment will be insufficient. That's why Don’t rush and remove the flower at the very beginning of autumn. Optimal time end of October – beginning of November. The main thing is to do it before frost sets in.

With the onset of heat, namely in March - April, the flower buds swell and the flower emerges from the sleep state. At this time, it is necessary to carry out cuttings and plant them in a peat mixture.

A couple of months before planting, the tubers must be removed from the container in which they were stored and planted in a container for germination.

Tubers must be planted so that their crown faces upward. It is usually concave or flat, with kidneys. Germination requires warmth, at least 18 degrees, and daily watering.. In a few weeks the first shoots will appear.

The tubers can be divided, the main thing is that each part has several buds. The cut site is treated with ash or charcoal. It is advisable to treat the cut areas with charcoal.

The difference between wintering begonias at home and in the open ground

Caring for domestic tubers garden plants significantly different. In order to properly prepare them for winter, you should take into account some features of both:

1. Tubers of Begonias living in open ground much larger than those growing in pots at home. Garden flowers should be removed at the onset of the first hard frost. The rule of the golden mean is important here, since the first light frosts are not capable of killing the plant, so there is no need to rush either. Let the flower gain strength and prepare for hibernation on its own. The optimal time is when the plant's leaves and stems die off on their own. After this, the stems are cut off, and the tubers themselves are placed in a box and left so that they can dry. After this, the containers with the plants are put away for storage until spring.

1. Caring for a houseplant in winter looks a little different. The tubers are not dug up, but remain in their pots. At the first appearance of wilting of the stems, they are also pruned. From this point on, watering is reduced to a minimum. In the spring, Begonia must be transplanted into new soil, having previously been divided into several parts if many buds have formed on them.

When purchasing an already germinated homemade Begonia at the end of summer, be sure to check whether the flower in the pot has tubers. Since there are annual varieties. They do not leave tubers and their lifespan is only one season.

It's not uncommon when home Begonia It does not shed its leaves in the winter and remains green. In this case, there is no need to trim it. The plant remains in place until spring replanting.

Is it necessary to dig it up for the winter?

Begonias are heat-loving flowers, so preparing them for winter is very important for further growth. When answering the question “is it necessary to dig it up for the winter”, it is worth taking into account the type of plant and condition:

1. Flower growers advise outdoor large tubers after wilting, dig up and place in a bowl with peat to a cool place.
2. Large tubers of domestic plants are left in pots in the same place for the whole winter.
3. Sprouted Begonias from seeds and flowers with small tubers also cleaned and stored in a cool, well-lit place.

Preparing tubers for storage

The result of storage and further growth depend on how correctly the planting material is prepared for winter and how you care for this plant.

Firstly, Begonias that grow in the garden must be dug up before the first hard frost.. At this time, the upper part of the plant is cut off, leaving stumps no smaller than 1 centimeter in size.

Secondly, the tubers are placed in a dry and cool place where they should dry out. Only after they are completely dry can it be put away for storage.

It is best to dig out the tubers with a pitchfork and under no circumstances should you shake off the soil from them.

Begonia growing at home, is stored differently. Preparations for hibernation begin in October. First, reduce watering, and after a month, stop it altogether. When upper part the flower fades, it is cut off. If it does not die off, leave it in its previous state.

Compliance with storage rules is the key successful wintering and further growth in the future.

Basic methods and conditions of storage in winter

There are several methods for storing such plants.

The most common way is in the basement. Dried Begonia tubers are placed in boxes or wooden crates. They fill the top with sifted sand and put it in the basement. You can make a mixture of sand, peat and sawdust in equal quantities. This method is convenient for large quantity planting material.

Storage in the cellar is prohibited, as it has very high humidity. This is very harmful for Begonia.

From time to time it is necessary to sort through and remove the rotten ones.

The second, no less popular storage method is in an apartment.. The best place there will be a plot near balcony door or under the window. There are two types of storage in the house:

1. In the box, when the tubers are placed in them and covered with sand and sawdust.
2. In pots. Flowers that grew in a pot remain in it, are trimmed and transferred to a cool place. In this case, you need to water the plant no more than once a month.

In the spring, after germination, they are transplanted into new soil.

The third storage method is in the refrigerator. Suitable for small quantities of planting material. To do this, Begonia tubers are placed in plastic bags with sawdust, having previously made holes in them for breathing.

If there is no sawdust, you can take plain paper and wrap each tuber in a separate sheet.

The bags are placed in the bottom drawer of the refrigerator for vegetables.

Compliance with all of the above storage rules guarantees successful growth and flowering of Begonia next season.

Luxurious begonia flowers are often compared to roses. But unlike the latter, our heroine is not so capricious. Although she also needs care, especially with the onset of autumn.

Heat-loving perennial begonia loves fertile soil. It grows well in sunny areas, but if you plant it in partial shade, it will also bloom. Begonia will be grateful regular watering. True, it will also tolerate a small drought. There is practically no special hassle with this plant. The only thing that tuberous begonia is afraid of is cold and frost, so the plant needs to be provided with a quality winter.

If you leave begonia tubers in a flower garden or outdoor container until spring, they will inevitably freeze. During the winter, plants go into a dormant state, and low temperatures may interfere with kidney formation. It’s better to dig up the tubers and move them indoors so that the hibernation period passes without problems. Begonia “sleeps” from about mid-November to early March. And if you dig up the tubers correctly and provide them with good storage, then there will be no problems with future flowering.

For the winter, not only begonias are dug up, but also cannas, dahlias, and gladioli. Phlox, daylilies, clematis and many other perennial flowers are left in flower beds.

When to dig up tuberous begonias for the winter

The procedure can be carried out after the onset autumn frosts, at the end of October - beginning of November, when the above-ground part of the begonias turns yellow and withers. But you should prepare for work already in September. To ensure that the tubers accumulate as much nutrients as possible during the dormant period, remove buds and dried flowers from the plants. And if, for the sake of decorativeness, you decide not to deprive the plants of flowers for as long as possible, get ready for the fact that the tubers will not have time to get stronger for the winter, and next year begonias are unlikely to please with lush flowering.

Do not rush to dig up the tubers if the plant is still green, otherwise the begonia may go to winter in a weakened state. Picking off green leaves to speed up the transition to hibernation is also not recommended.

How to dig up begonia tubers for the winter

For work you will need: a pitchfork or scoop, sharp pruning shears, garden shears and gloves, carton or wooden box. You need to dig up plants very carefully so as not to damage the tubers and roots. Step back from the bush about 6-8 cm, loosen the soil and carefully dig up the begonias. Then remove the tuber along with a lump of earth, cut the stems to a height of 5 cm (the stump will then dry out on its own), carefully remove the roots and place the plants in a box or box in one layer. Then send the tubers to dry, which will take about 14 days. Choose a warm, dry and well-ventilated area for her. A regular room will do.

Have you found suspicious spots and traces of rot on the tubers? Such specimens cannot be sent to dry! Burn them along with other plant debris. And to prevent the appearance of rot on healthy tubers, be sure to trim off the dead stems.

There are other options for digging up begonias. For example, some gardeners successfully use this method: first they cut off the above-ground part, and then dig up the tubers. But with this method it is not always easy to locate the plant, so if you are not sure that you will find begonias, it is better not to rush to prune them.

If begonias grow in containers, removing the tuber is much easier: turn the container over and tap on the bottom. Or you can leave them in a container and move them to the basement or cellar. The main thing is to reduce watering by the end of September, and after the above-ground part dies, cut it off, leaving a stump of 2-3 cm. In the spring, begin to gradually water the tubers, and then replant them in new nutrient soil.

How to Preserve Tuberous Begonias Until Spring

The most difficult thing is to keep the begonia tubers intact. The fact is that they tend to dry out and become rotten, so it is important to immediately ensure proper storage. When the tubers are dry, shake off any remaining soil, inspect them again and place them in a wooden box (not too tightly). To prevent infection by pathogenic bacteria and pests, first wrap each tuber in a sheet of paper or newspaper. Then sprinkle with dry sawdust, peat, vermiculite or sand.

It is better to store begonia tubers in the basement. The ideal temperature for storage is 4-10°C, humidity is at least 60%. It is advisable to store small tubers of young plants separately from adults, because they require more careful care.

Some gardeners, before storing begonia tubers, wash them in weak solution potassium permanganate or processed fungicidal preparations(Fundazol, etc.) to reduce the risk of fungal infection.

If the basement is full and there are not many tubers, you can overwinter them in the refrigerator. To do this, place the tubers in a paper bag and cover with peat. Or use perforated plastic bags and sawdust. This method is especially suitable for storing young plants. You can also store begonias in sphagnum moss. But sealed containers ( plastic containers, tight packages, metal boxes from food, etc.) cannot be used. The tubers will not be able to breathe in them and will dry out.

About once a month, inspect the begonia tubers and spray them to prevent drying out. Special attention focus on small tubers. But there should be little moisture so that the kidneys do not awaken ahead of schedule or the begonia has not rotted. Discard diseased tubers. If a small part of the tuber has rotted, cut it off and sprinkle the cut with crushed coal. To be safe, transfer such a specimen to another box to avoid becoming infected. healthy plants.

If there are a lot of tubers, sort them into boxes depending on variety or color, and label them.

How to plant tuberous begonias in spring

If you did everything correctly, at the end of February - beginning of March the begonia tubers will begin to awaken. When fresh sprouts appear, you can start sprouting to start early flowering. Prepare a box with loose soil and place the tubers on its surface, lightly pressing them into the soil, but without sprinkling them. The cavity with the growth buds should “look” upward. Gently moisten the soil and place the box with plants in a well-lit, but dark place. scorching sun place. When the sprouts on the tubers reach about 2 cm in height, plant the begonias in separate containers, but do not sprinkle them too much.

After the first leaves appear, sprinkle the tuber with soil. Monitor watering so that water does not stagnate near the tuber and in no case gets into its center, on the leaves, otherwise the plant will rot. Plant begonias in open ground only after finishing spring frosts. Choose a well-lit, draft-free place for planting.

Digging and storing begonias only seems like a complicated procedure, but in fact it does not require much effort and time. Having thought it through gardening work in advance, you can take care of your flowers without much difficulty.

Can decorate from year to year personal plot bright, profusely blooming tuberous begonia, storing these in winter beautiful flowers requires knowledge and compliance with certain rules. Ways to save begonias and some secrets of caring for plants during the dormant period will help novice gardeners cope with a difficult task at first glance.

Preparing for the rest period

Tuberous begonia is a flowering plant of rare beauty that can transform both a room and cozy balcony, and a shady corner of the garden. Bright inflorescences of various shapes, numerous varieties and colors have made begonia extremely popular, cultivated in home gardening flower.

Rich and plentiful flowering lasts from June to the end of September, after which the bushes need a period of rest. Since begonia is a perennial, the owners’ task is to provide the tubers with wintering in favorable conditions. The health of the plant and its further ability to grow depend on this. abundant flowering and reproduction.

Preparation for the winter period includes the following actions:

• removal of new buds and shoots;
• reduction of watering;
• preserving wilting stems for more efficient ripening of tubers.

To bookmark on winter storage Only healthy plants are selected, without signs of degeneration (drying, dark spots on the foliage). A full-fledged tuber is dense, not overdried, has 4-6 cm in diameter, is not damaged by mold fungi, and is covered with a branched, thin, delicate root system.

Bushes grown in open ground are carefully dug out using a metal garden fork or spatula. This must be done before the first frost. In order not to miss this moment, experts recommend sending begonia to rest when the outside air temperature approaches 10°C. Plants also suffer from cold winds, so if the edges of the leaves begin to darken, we can conclude that it is time to dig up the flowers.

The last feeding, which promotes the accumulation of nutrients and vital energy, carried out 3-4 weeks before removing the bushes from the ground. In this case, the fertilizer must contain a minimum amount of nitrogen and an increased percentage of potassium in the composition. The duration of the rest period is 3-4 months.

Methods for wintering tubers of adult plants

There are two ways to store begonia in winter:

• at home in a pot (the method allows you to preserve and prolong flowering for another 1-2 months);
• in a cool place in the form of tubers.

In the first case, bushes of garden plants are simply replanted and moved indoors, after which they gradually reduce watering, wait until the stems die, cut them off at ground level, and remove the tubers or put them to rest right in the pots. In the second, the flowers are dug up with a large lump of soil, dried in a well-ventilated, darkened and protected from moisture place, the stems are cut off, leaving stumps 1-2 cm high, and laid for wintering in the most suitable place.

Storing tubers is important for begonias that are more than 2 years old. One of the most popular ways to save planting material at home is in the basement. To do this, well-dried tubers, cleared of soil, are placed in a wooden or cardboard box and covered with preservative material, which can be used as:

• substrate (dry soil mixtures);
• river sand;
• peat;
• vermiculite;
• sawdust.

How to store begonia tubers in an apartment? Experienced gardeners It is recommended to find the coolest possible place in the room. It could be:

• windowsill free room(where there is no heating battery);
• a place near the balcony door;
• insulated loggia;
• space under the bathroom.

Tubers covered with preservative material are kept in boxes, plastic containers or pots. A small number of nodules can be stored in the general compartment of the refrigerator, placing them in a ventilated plastic bag and in a container for vegetables, you can cover the top with sawdust. If condensation forms on the polyethylene, it is recommended to replace the bag with plain paper, but each tuber should be wrapped separately.

The temperature regime for storing tuberous begonias in winter is similar to storing bulbs flowering plants and ranges from +5 to +14°C.

Wintering first-year plants

Young plants grown from seeds or by cuttings have a relative dormant period and after the first flowering are not yet able to gain enough strength into the tubers to survive the winter in this form. Their root system is weak, and attempts to preserve only the tubers may result in the death of the flowers.

It is recommended to leave small first-year plants in pots for the winter, reducing watering to a minimum (through a tray). At the first signs of wilting, watering is stopped completely, and dried stems are trimmed. If the stems and leaves of young begonia do not die off in winter, it is recommended to leave them untouched. In this case, it is advisable not to move the pot with the plant anywhere and limit watering as much as possible.

Optimal storage conditions:

• temperature environment— 10-15°С;
• air humidity - 80-85%;
• moderate watering;
• diffused sunlight.

With the onset of spring (early March), young begonias are transplanted into open ground or fresh substrate (soil mixture), using a larger pot. The most favorable is a loose mixture of leaf, humus, peat soil and sand (2:1:1:1). Young begonias can be transplanted into open ground when the air temperature exceeds 10°C during the day and does not fall below 2°C at night.

What to do if tuberous begonias “woke up” ahead of time? During wintering, it is recommended to periodically check the condition of the planting material. If sprouts and buds appear on the tubers ahead of time, it means that the plants are not suitable for dormancy. temperature regime- too warm. You can slow down the growing process by transferring the tubers to the refrigerator or other place with a lower temperature.

If the nodules have sprouted in the refrigerator compartment, it means that it is not dry enough. In this case, the tubers are sorted out, possible rot is removed, dried again, wrapped in several layers of paper and sprinkled with dry sawdust. Then they are put back in the refrigerator, in the vegetable compartment.

When storing potted tuberous begonias, the substrate should not be allowed to dry out too much, as this can lead to the death of the flowers.

Planting and care are carried out no earlier than March, since more short term If begonias are at rest, they may not gain the strength to fully flower. In this case, the bushes will be weak, small, producing only green shoots without inflorescences or small, few flowers. The pots should not be too wide and deep; drainage from expanded clay of the middle fraction is required.

When sending tuberous begonia to rest, under no circumstances should you cut off fresh green leaves. Withering naturally, the stems redirect all nutrients to the tuber, preparing it for wintering and further revival.