Tuberous Begonia – Begonia X tuberhybrida (B. tuberhybrida hybrids)

Common Name: Tuberous Begonia, Tuberous Rooted Begonia

Botanical Name: Begonia X tuberhybrida (B. tuberhybrida hybrids), bay-GO-nee-a tu-ber-HY-brid-a

Decorative Life: 2-4 plus weeks depending on environment.

Flower Color: Pink, Red, White, Yellow

Availability: Year Round

Plugs can be stored for 3 weeks in the dark (6 weeks in light) at 41F and subsequently grown into very acceptable plants and/or flowers. Tubers can be stored for 20 weeks at 41F under low (2-3%) oxygen with improved sprouting the result after subsequent planting compared to those stored in air.

Chill sensitive, store above 55 degrees F.

• Begonia: after Michel Begon, 1638-1710, promoter of botany at St. Domingo.
• The “X” in the botanical name means that this is a cross between at least two species in the same genus and in this case, crosses from many species.
• According to Creasy (1999), petals are edible. Can be used in salads and yogurts and as a garnish.
• Some favorite cultivars and their respective flower colors include ‘Pin-Up Flame’ (orange/yellow/red combinations) and ‘Nonstop Rose Petticoat’ (rose and white bicolor). Will generally do well in light levels at least bright enough to read a newspaper in comfort but more light (up to filtered full sunlight) would be better.
• Often used in hanging baskets.