Hello, dedicated caretaker. I am your Begonia. The sun is fading, the air is chilling, and my internal clock is sounding a deep, ancient alarm. It is time to rest. The vibrant energy I poured into lush leaves and brilliant blooms must now retreat, pulled down into my roots and tubers for safekeeping. Helping me through this dormant season is not about keeping me "alive" in the way you know from summer; it is about protecting my sleeping form so I can erupt with gratitude come spring. Here is what I need from you, from my perspective.
As daylight shortens and temperatures drop, I begin a profound physiological shift. My photosynthesis slows dramatically. I start to reabsorb precious nutrients from my leaves, pulling this energy back into my core. You will see my leaves begin to yellow and my stems look tired. Please, do not be alarmed or think you have failed me. This is a natural and necessary process. It is my way of conserving every bit of strength. To assist, you should gradually reduce watering. Let my soil dry out more between drinks. Stop fertilizing me entirely; I cannot process nutrients now, and they will only harm my roots.
Once my foliage has yellowed or been touched by frost, it is time for my long sleep. You have two primary options for where I spend this season. The first is to let me rest right in my pot. Simply cut my stems back to about an inch or two above the soil. Gently clean away all the fallen leaf debris from the surface to prevent mold. Then, move my pot to a cool, dark, and dry location—a basement, a garage, or a cool closet is perfect. The ideal temperature for my dormancy is between 45-55°F (7-13°C). I must be kept away from freezing conditions, which will damage my tubers.
Some gardeners prefer to store my bare tuber, which is my life center. To do this, after cutting back my foliage, carefully lift my entire root ball from the pot. Gently brush away the soil and let me dry for a few days in a well-ventilated area. Once dry, place me in a box or paper bag filled with slightly moistened peat moss, vermiculite, or sawdust. This medium should be just barely damp to the touch—enough to keep my tuber from shriveling into dust, but not so wet that I rot. The storage conditions are the same: cool, dark, and dry. Please check on me once a month, ensuring I am neither bone dry nor developing soft, mushy spots.
When the world outside begins to warm and the days noticeably lengthen, I will feel the call to wake. For potted plants, bring me back into a warmer, brighter space and begin to water me lightly. You will soon see new pink buds swelling on my trimmed stems. For stored tubers, you can pot me up in fresh, well-draining potting mix with the concave (hollow) side facing up. Place me in a warm, bright spot, water sparingly at first, and then increase watering as you see strong new growth emerge. This careful transition eases me out of my deep sleep and back into a vibrant life.
