Begonias, to cover or not to cover, that is the question.

[Ladygardener]

To start off any of the Begonia, I've always just set them onto damp compost and keep them inside until they grow shoots. Recently however, I've watched a few videos where the recommendation is to cover the corms with moist compost as this helps them swell up quicker and therefore shoot faster.

I'd be interested to hear if anyone does this. I know some of us start our Begonia off early, do you cover the corm or not?

[Jasmine]

My one mystery white begonia corm is always covered Ladygardener,, since its appearance in the garden I have it in a pot in the summer and it goes in its pot in the shed for the winter. It will come out again when the frosts are over which should be very soon.

I am no expert though - as I said when the corn arrived in the garden - I had never bought for myself, or grown begonias!

[andy]

I lay mine on top of a pot of compost and just push it down until you can just see the surface of the corm.....concave side up.

[Rosefriend]

Pleased that you brought this up Ladygardener. For years I planted them, covered and waited ages sometimes for them to appear, sometimes they even rotted etc.

I did read/see one way which was to lay the corm in a saucer barely covered with water and leave for 24 hours so that the corm soaked up a bit of moisture - never done it so I can't say if it works..

For the last 2 years I have done andy, way - just pressed them down into compost and kept them moist - actually watered the compost first and then pressed them in. They came a lot quicker and I didn't lose much at all...

[Amber]

I wait until I see some signs of growth then cover the surface of the corms; this helps to keep the corms moist and grow more roots. Another way to start them off is in a bag of moist compost placed somewhere warm and dark....should see signs of growth within a week or so....

[Tig]

I need a way to stop mine growing! They started to shoot early and I have them just sat on top of compost at the moment - roll on frost free nights.

[Ladygardener]

Ladygardener,Jasmine,andy,Rosefriend,Amber,Tig, Thanks all for your input. I think what I'll do is start covering the corms after they've put up a few shoots, which some of mine have at the moment. Tig that's a heck of a lot of Begonia, well done you for overwintering them and for getting them off to a great start. Is it nearly time you could set them outside during the day to harden them off a bit?

[Tig]

We have had frosts here up to the end of May in recent years LG, it would be a big risk. I may have to pot them up individually & hope that one of the growhouses will stay warm enough for them if they don't slow down though, I've been removing flower buds to try to stop them wearing themselves out before summer!

[Ladygardener]

Wow they really are far on are'nt they Tig. I have one that has really taken off, some with shoots and some with small leaves but also some that are doing nothing at all.