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Begonia tubers

Jean GenieJean Genie Posts: 1,724
in Problem solving

I saved some begonia tubers from last year and have set them off in a heated propagator and have discovered some little seeds sprouting from the tubers. The begonias were originally planted in a hanging basket along with some other basket plants but I can't remember what.

Not sure what to do now. Should I leave these seeds to grow and see what transpires or could I be cultivating weeds ? image

Any thoughts please ?

Thanks.

Jean.image

 

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Posts

  • sotongeoffsotongeoff Posts: 9,802

    II think Jean you are cultivating weeds or flower seeds from what was in the basket-so it may or may not be a fresh begoniaimage

  • Matty2Matty2 Posts: 4,817

    Just started my tubers off as well. I think if I were you I would carefully remove all the stray (weed type) growth and just leave the tubers. especially as you don't kow what it is 

    Bjayimage

  • Jean GenieJean Genie Posts: 1,724

    Think I will pick them off . The tubers seem ok though - they didn't show any signs of disease or rot. I'll keep a check on them.

    Thanks folks. image

  • LynLyn Posts: 22,852

    I dont think they need to go into a propagator, they may get to damp and start to rot.I have just set 50 from previous years just in seed trays in dampish peaty compost. If you knew what you had in the baskets last year, why not pot them up, they may be lobelia or something nice that you can use again instead of planting seeds.

    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • Jean GenieJean Genie Posts: 1,724

    Hi Lyn, The reason I put them in the propagator was because I started them early and it still seemed to be a bit chilly. I don't have a grrenhouse so they are in the conservatory which is mostly unheated. If we are due a frost I have the heating on low. So should I put them on the windowledge ?

    The seeds I've just picked off as I'm concerned they may be weeds.

  • Matty2Matty2 Posts: 4,817

    Mine are on a window ledge in the spare room with heating on low. Today I noticed some little pink buds on a couple image

  • Jean GenieJean Genie Posts: 1,724

    Bjay I've got some buds on mine as well image Think I'll take them out and put them on the windowledge. Never saved tubers before -  first attempt.

  • Matty2Matty2 Posts: 4,817

    I hope you mean you will leave them in your shallow compostimage

    Saves money and the bigger the tubers the bigger theplant and more flowers. I save them most years Last year I had that offer from GW for some trailing ones. They came as plugs and no tubers. By the end of the summer there were small tubers so fingers crossed they will grow on as well. 

  • Jean GenieJean Genie Posts: 1,724

    imageimageimage Yes !  Hope they do ok. Sorry to say I just used to bin them when the baskets were finished. What a waste. I've learned loads on this forum. image

    Good luck with yours.image

  • LynLyn Posts: 22,852

    Mine are also budding, in the unheated conservatory.

    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

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