# Rosecroft Begonia Gardens, Point Loma, California • 
As soon as seedlings have rooted firmly enough not 
to be disturbed by it, use a fine spray instead of soaking. 
A spray for applying insecticides is good. 
After watering sprinkle a little fine dry soil over sur¬ 
face to cover roots of seedlings. 
When large enough to handle prick out in similar soil 
and water as before. 
When crowded, pot or plant out. 
Various instruments are recommended for pricking out. 
We have found nothing better than a small finger-nail 
file or a gold nib. 
If seed is started early in the year it is helpful to take 
the chill off water used. 
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 saucer 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 re¬ 
quire 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 actually 
dry nor wet, or in danger of frost. 
A good fertilizer is Floranid: one teaspoonful to a gallon 
of water applied every two weeks. Ordinary washing 
Ammonia, a teaspoonful to a gallon of water is also use¬ 
ful. No fertilizer more often than once in four waterings 
and never on a dry plant, nor on one not in growing state. 
• 34 • 
