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Divide tubers if there are two eyes?
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Posted by ladychroe z6 NJ (My Page) on Mon, Apr 25, 05 at 9:22
Hi,
This is my first year with begonias. I have four tubers, all sprouting nicely, outside in pots (I bring thim in if there is a frost watch).
Each of my tubers has two sprouts. Should I divide them, like a dahlia? Or pinch off the smaller sprout? Or should I just leave them? What do you usually do?
Christine |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Divide tubers if there are two eyes?
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| Leave them as they are. You should never divide tubers as in this case you do not end up with two good tubers. you end up with two inferior tubers. If two stems eventually develop (which does not always happen.. due to apical dominance of the primary bud) you can at that time (when the stem is 3-5 inches tall) remove soil soil above the tuber around the stem. Grab the stem as close to the tuber as at all possible (with thumb and forefinger) and gently rock it back and forth. It will break off by tuber level including a few roots. You can then root the "cutting" after 30 minutes (allow to callus). Let the wound on the tuber stay open for a day or two before covering again. This is a much better way of propagating your tubers. Good luck (I am growing 21 tubers this year.. it is a very addictive plant) |
RE: Divide tubers if there are two eyes?
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| Thank you, this sounds like good advice. |
RE: Divide tubers if there are two eyes?
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| Hi do you root your cuttings in a propagator or on an open bench in a shaded warm postion. Do you feel some bottom hear speeds things up early in the season? I have tried some in a closed polythene bag to help keep in moisture but wonder which method is most successful? |
RE: Divide tubers if there are two eyes?
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| I usually root mine indoors under fluorescent light with 70F bottom heat. |
RE: Divide tubers if there are two eyes?
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| Thanks for the advice, I have a few in an open top propagator so hopefully they should root. |
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