Norton asked So I tried to germinate begonias for a second time with much better > results. I sow the seeds in humid soil in last quarter (moon cycle ) and > both species germinated after 12 days, it also helped that now that is > autum the air is colder and more humid. The pots now look like they have > a green mat on them. So my question is: How and when do I separate them? > They are growing pretty close to each other, now that they are small, > they will probably compete until the one that grows faster covers the > others I guess. What I do need to make sure is that they form a nice > size tuber before they go into dormancy until next season. > > To see pictures of the speciesI´m talking about follow this links > Begonia geraniifolia: https://goo.gl/Bcyrgk/ > Begonia octopetala: https://goo.gl/oGJDnz/ I haven't grown these species, but I have grown other begonias from seed. I have also grown winter-growing bulbs from seed. I tend to approach new species cautiously and use techniques that have less potential to cause harm. Later, with more experience with how individual plants grow, I might do things differently. These two Begonia species are unusual for being winter-growers. I do not remove winter growing bulbs from the sprouting pots until after at least 2-3 growing seasons, unless they are extremely vigorous growers. Tiny tubers are easy to damage. I don't know how vigorously these two species grow. Some tuberous begonias are very fast growers, and can easily be transplanted from the sprouting containers within a year. If there is enough water and fertilizer, they will grow well in a very crowded container. I transplant winter-growing bulbs when they are dormant. Small tubers may not have enough reserves to make new roots if the original roots are damaged by transplanting during the growing season. I try to store the sprouting pot where it is cooler than outside, but my summers are extremely hot. http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php/… In my opinion, most begonias that grow without dormancy are too small to transplant safely for months, to perhaps a year, after sowing. It is too easy to damage the delicate roots. I would let these two species grow in your original pots this season. Keep them well watered, and consider using plentiful fertilizer. The faster they can get large, the better their chances of surviving the first dormancy. Keep them growing as late into next spring as you can by keeping them as cool as you can, and continuing to water. If they grow vigorously this season, and the tubers are large, you can consider transplanting them before the second season. Note how deeply the tubers are buried. I think begonias are more sensitive to planting depth than many other tuberous plants. I would leave them in the sprouting pot until perhaps a month before you expect them to begin growing again. Please let us know how your plants are growing. This will be a learning experience for everybody. Leo Martin Zone 9? Phoenix Arizona USA <div dir="ltr">Norton asked<br><div class="gmail_extra"><br clear="all"><div class="gmail_quote"><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:///0px/ 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:///1px/ solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:///1ex/">So I tried to germinate begonias for a second time with much better<br> results. I sow the seeds in humid soil in last quarter (moon cycle ) and<br> both species germinated after 12 days, it also helped that now that is<br> autum the air is colder and more humid. The pots now look like they have<br> a green mat on them. So my question is: How and when do I separate them?<br> They are growing pretty close to each other, now that they are small,<br> they will probably compete until the one that grows faster covers the<br> others I guess. What I do need to make sure is that they form a nice<br> size tuber before they go into dormancy until next season.<br> <br> To see pictures of the speciesI´m talking about follow this links<br> Begonia geraniifolia: <a href="https://goo.gl/Bcyrgk/" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">https://goo.gl/Bcyrgk/</a><br> Begonia octopetala: <a href="https://goo.gl/oGJDnz/" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">https://goo.gl/oGJDnz/</a></blockquote><div><br></div><div><div class="gmail_signature">I haven't grown these species, but I have grown other begonias from seed. I have also grown winter-growing bulbs from seed. I tend to approach new species cautiously and use techniques that have less potential to cause harm. Later, with more experience with how individual plants grow, I might do things differently.</div><div class="gmail_signature"><br></div><div class="gmail_signature">These two Begonia species are unusual for being winter-growers. I do not remove winter growing bulbs from the sprouting pots until after at least 2-3 growing seasons, unless they are extremely vigorous growers. Tiny tubers are easy to damage. I don't know how vigorously these two species grow. Some tuberous begonias are very fast growers, and can easily be transplanted from the sprouting containers within a year. If there is enough water and fertilizer, they will grow well in a very crowded container.</div><div class="gmail_signature"><br></div><div class="gmail_signature">I transplant winter-growing bulbs when they are dormant. Small tubers may not have enough reserves to make new roots if the original roots are damaged by transplanting during the growing season. I try to store the sprouting pot where it is cooler than outside, but my summers are extremely hot.</div><div class="gmail_signature"><a href="http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php/…">http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php/…</a><br></div><div class="gmail_signature"><br></div><div class="gmail_signature">In my opinion, most begonias that grow without dormancy are too small to transplant safely for months, to perhaps a year, after sowing. It is too easy to damage the delicate roots.</div><div class="gmail_signature"><br></div><div class="gmail_signature">I would let these two species grow in your original pots this season. Keep them well watered, and consider using plentiful fertilizer. The faster they can get large, the better their chances of surviving the first dormancy. Keep them growing as late into next spring as you can by keeping them as cool as you can, and continuing to water.</div><div class="gmail_signature"><br></div><div class="gmail_signature">If they grow vigorously this season, and the tubers are large, you can consider transplanting them before the second season. Note how deeply the tubers are buried. I think begonias are more sensitive to planting depth than many other tuberous plants. I would leave them in the sprouting pot until perhaps a month before you expect them to begin growing again.</div><div class="gmail_signature"><br></div><div class="gmail_signature">Please let us know how your plants are growing. This will be a learning experience for everybody.</div><div class="gmail_signature"><br></div><div class="gmail_signature">Leo Martin<br>Zone 9?<br>Phoenix Arizona USA</div></div></div></div></div> _______________________________________________ pbs mailing list pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net http://lists.pacificbulbsociety.net/cgi-bin/…