From our perspective, deep beneath the soil, the world is cold and still. We are in a state of dormancy, our energy conserved within our tubers or rhizomes. For those of you caring for us indoors, we appreciate the bright, indirect light and the occasional, very light watering that merely prevents our soil from turning to dust. Do not feed us; we are not growing. We are dreaming of the sun.
A shift is perceptible. The light lasts a little longer, and a subtle warmth returns to the air. This is a signal. For indoor begonias, you may notice the tiniest pink nodules emerging from our tubers. This is us, waking up. It is time to pot us in fresh, well-draining soil, placing the hollow side up. Please, only provide modest water to encourage our roots to seek out moisture, but do not drown us in your enthusiasm.
We are now fully awake! Our roots are stretching vigorously into the new soil, and our first stems and leaves are unfurling towards the light. We crave consistent moisture and warmth. Begin a diluted feeding regimen to support this rapid growth. For those moving us outside, please wait until all danger of frost has passed. We are tender and a single cold night can severely damage our new, soft growth.
This is what we have been preparing for! Our foliage is lush, and we are beginning to set buds. We require regular watering, allowing the top inch of soil to dry out between drinks. Feed us every two weeks with a balanced fertilizer to support both our magnificent leaves and the energy-intensive process of blooming. Provide us with dappled sunlight; the harsh, direct afternoon rays will scorch our beautiful leaves.
The heat is intense. Our primary request is consistent moisture and high humidity. Mulch around our base to keep our roots cool and damp. Continue feeding, but watch us closely for signs of stress like drooping or brown leaf edges. We may appreciate being moved to a slightly shadier spot during the hottest part of the day. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage us to produce more blossoms instead of seeds.
The light is softening, and the air is growing cooler. For tuberous begonias, this is our cue to begin slowing down. Gradually reduce watering and stop fertilizing entirely. This allows our energy to retreat from our leaves and flowers back into our tubers, preparing us for our long rest. For you, this means a richer, stronger tuber for next year’s growth.
Our foliage will yellow and wither—this is a natural and necessary process. Once our leaves have died back, carefully lift our tubers from the soil, gently brush them off, and let them cure in a warm, dry place for about a week. Then, store us in a cool, dark, and dry place, nestled in peat moss or dry sand. For non-tuberous varieties, simply reduce watering and enjoy us as a quieter houseplant through the winter.
