Begonia plug plants

[susiewoosie]

I wonder if some kind grape would help. I know that begonias have to be lifted over winter to save them from frost damage. I have the chance to buy 36 begonias plug plants from Thompson and Morgan and I'm wondering if these need to be treated the same as bulbs or can they be left in? The variety is Begonia semperflorens 'Lotto' Mixed Half-hardy Perennial

Thanks Sue

[Scarlet]

Plants that are described as half-hardy are tender and will not withstand the frost. I'm afraid you would have to over winter indoors.

[susiewoosie]

Okay thanks. Not sure what I could do with them over winter

[susiewoosie]

Thinking about it, they are so cheap that I could treat them as an annual and it they manage to survive the winter then great and if not then it won't matter.

[Scarlet]

Perhaps you could just take a few cuttings to overwinter?

[susiewoosie]

I was getting for my neighbours garden. I already overwinter 5 begonia tubers for her and I'm just not sure about doing that. How do you take cuttings? I suppose if its easy I could do that and then if none survive then at least I could re-plant with those.

Thanks for everyones help

[veggiechicken]

With those half-hardy begonias you just snap off a bit of stem and stick it in water. Hey presto, roots and a new plant. At least, that's how I think I've done it in the past!!

[susiewoosie]

Thats great thanks for that

[redser]

I grow loads from seed every year. Semperflorens Options mixed from T & M. I just spread the whole packet over a half tray and get hundreds. I only take about 100, but the others stay in a sort of state of suspended animation and stay tiny. You can over-winter the small tray and then prick out more the following year. But I usually end up dumping them cause I like sowing begonias for some weird reason Just an option for you next year. Start in January. They are very slow growing so don't get leggy on the window sill easily.

Begonia semperflorens 'Options Mixed' - Half-hardy Annual Seeds - Thompson & Morgan

[susiewoosie]

I think because they're for my neighbours garden i would just take cuttings buit thanks for you help redser

[susieq100]

For the last couple of years I have bought begonia plug plants - Inferno - fabulous, fabulous colours and I put them in hanging baskets. This year I have ordered them again, but have also planted into pots the corms I saved from last year's plants. They are currently in my greenhouse (unheated) and I am awaiting developments. They may or (most likely) will not grow ... but is worth a go!