Begonia Cascading Splendide Apricot

Begonia tubers may be started into growth from February onwards. The easiest way is to put them into shallow boxes containing a mixture of loam, leaf mould and sand. Meanwhile, prepare the potting soil. Good top soil mixed with one-sixth part of manure should form the basis. To this prepared soil add leaf mould and it is often recommended that you add bonemeal to the compost. As soon as the shoots appear, you can pot them up in 15cm pots and place them in larger pots.

Begonias are particularly useful for bedding purposes and, if planted in beds which are enriched with well rotted or leaf mould will make a fine show. They should be started in shallow boxes in light soil; the saucer like tubers should be planted very shallow with the hollow side up. As soon as any danger of frost is passed then they can be transferred to their position in the garden at least 30cm apart. Begonias are great lovers of moisture and during dry weather they should be watered in the early morning or the evening.