Red Rimmed Tuberous Begonia - Tuber

Plant the thick Begonia 'Crispa Marginata' tubers in fresh potting compost during the spring. Use a pot or planter with holes in the base to aid drainage. Cover the bottom with a layer of potsherds or hydrograins. Fill the pot with potting compost leaving sufficient space for the tubers, plant them about 20 cm apart and cover with 1-2 cm of compost. Water well after planting. Beware of any night frosts. 'Crispa marginata Begonias grow and bloom well in partial shade.

Begonia 'Crispa Marginata' grows well in pots and planters, but it also makes an excellent addition to a flower border. A mix of the white, yellow and red flowers of the Begonias will look great along the edge of a border. The large, fringed flowers bloom throughout the entire summer.

To achieve an early flowering of Begonia 'Crispa Marginata' place them in a shallow seed tray with moist compost, keeping them between 15-20˚ C during February or March. Check that the concave side is facing up and just slightly covered with a layer of compost. When shoots begin to appear, pot the tubers in potting compost. By the beginning of May, they will get used to the outdoor temperature and you can plant them from mid-May onwards in either your garden or in a pot.

Frequently remove the faded flowers of the Begonia 'Crispa Marginata'. For an extra rich flowering, when the plant is established it is often advisable to provide a regular liquid feed. Protect from direct, bright sunlight. The compost around the tubers should not be too wet as this may cause the begonia tubers to rot. The stems and leaves contain high amounts of moisture, therefore they are not frost tolerant.

Begonia tubers are easy to preserve during the winter. After the first night frost and when the begonia foliage begins to yellow, lift the begonias and cut the stems back to just above the tuber. Attach a label with the name of the Begonias to remind yourself for the next year. Gently shake the compost from the begonia tubers and place them in a box with compost and sharp sand. Keep the tubers in a dry, cool, frost-free place during the winter. Next spring, you can plant them once again and the plant will reward you with its beautiful flowers.