# Rosecroft Begonia Cardens, Point Loma, California # 
Handling Tubers 
These are available in the dry state from mid-Decem¬ 
ber till the end of February. They sprout early in Southern 
California. 
Begonia tubers are more like a round soucer shaped 
potato than a bulb. The top is the depressed side. To 
start them, put to half their depth in leaf mold, sand or 
moss. We prefer the first. Give them a good wetting and 
keep in shaded location in moderate temperature till they 
sprout; before they do, keep on dry side. 
When well growing, pot in the Begonia compost with 
crown barely covered, water thoroughly by setting pot in 
water till moisture shows on surface and then not again 
till well established. Start with as small a pot as size of 
tuber allows, shifting on as required. A large tuber will 
finally ask for an eight-inch size. Keep in strong light 
but not direct sunlight. When in full growth water freely. 
Most tuberous Begonias unfortunately require staking; do 
this before it seems necessary. Pinch off the first blooms 
and keep off seedpods for best development. 
When plants show by yellowing foliage and ceasing to 
bloom that they are ready to mature, water only enough 
to avoid actual dryness. Store pots away on their side 
under a bench or shrubbery or if removed from soil put 
tubers in leaf mold in flats. They should never be actu¬ 
ally dry, nor wet, nor in danger of frost. 
A good fertilizer is Floranid, one teaspoonful to a 
gallon of water applied every two weeks. Ordinary wash¬ 
ing Ammonia a teaspoonful to a gallon of water is also 
useful. No fertilizer more often than once in four water¬ 
ings and never on a dry plant, nor on one not in growing 
state. 
Shipping Directions 
Tubers can be shipped in the dormant state only in 
January and February. By the first of March they start 
growth in our climate, and any attempt to control this 
has resulted in a lowered vitality. As with the majority of 
tuberous plants, root production should precede top 
growth. 
Orders for less than one dollar are not acceptable. 
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