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Q. My grandchildren gave me several large Tuberous Begonia bulbs. I’ve never grown them so I’d like some planting and growing information? A. Tuberous Begonia bulbs are best planted in containers, February through April. Begonias grown in the ground are very challenging as they’re more likely to rot from our poorly, draining soils. The bulbs can be planted now or you can wait for the new pink shoots to develop. If you choose to wait, I’d place the bulbs in a brightly lit, warm, location. They’re planted in six-inch or larger containers with the concave or hallow side down about a half an inch below the soil surface using any of the commercial potting or acid planting mixes. After planting, the containers should be watered really well and not often unless the soil becomes dry or the new shoots appear. Some begonias will sprout right away while others will take weeks. The containers are then placed in a protected area outdoors until mid March when the danger of frost has past. Once that occurs, they’re moved into a sunny location where they can remain until the temperature reaches eighty degrees. Tuberous Begonias need to be protected from the heat of the day sun; hence, they’re placed in a shady area from noon or early afternoon on. When the new growth reaches two inches tall you should pinch the plant to force the lateral growth. In addition, the plants should be staked as they’re brittle and get top heavy with the flowers. You also begin to fertilize them monthly with Miracle Gro, Dr. Earth Liquid Plant Food or Osmocote, the time-release fertilizer. Tuberous Begonias require long days to bloom so don’t expect any flowers until June or July. Sometime in the fall, your begonias will begin to look straggly and tired but you shouldn’t cut them back. Instead, you let them go dormant gradually by withholding and/or reducing the water. After the foliage dies back, you can leave the bulbs in the container to over winter for next year.
Q. My husband has applied Scott’s Turf Builder plus Halts to our lawn, according to the directions. The granules were spaced every three to five inches across the grass. My concern is that the granules, looks closer together in the picture than on the bag. Should we make another application? A. Any turf product applied with the right equipment and at the right setting should be distributed correctly. The picture on the bag should not matter. The marketing department may have taken some liberties with the photo. Also, comparing the photo to a turf area is not necessarily a fair comparison. I'm going to repeat myself but there is no need to reapply if the right product applied with the right equipment at the right setting.
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