not remove the tuber from the soil—tfor a grad- 
ual drying off is necessary. A very important 
precaution is to avoid cutting or breaking off 
the top, for the strength of the season's growth 
returns to the tuber as it matures in the fall. 
In late fall or spring one may remove tuber, 
brush off old soil, and dead roots. Guard 
against bruising tubers and place them in flats 
covering with peat or leafmold to prevent 
shrinkage. All parts of the old stem should be 
removed at this time to prevent decay. 
DISEASES AND PESTS 
Tuberous begonias have very few diseases 
or pests, especially outside. With very little 
care your flowers and leaf growth should be 
perfect. 
ROT. A bruised tuber or stalk might start 
to decay. Expose bruised parts to sunlight, 
dust with bordeaux, charcoal, parisgreen or 
sulphur. A tuber may also decay if it is kept 
too moist or if stalk is broken off at the tuber. 
EATING INSECTS. The Cyclamen mite at- 
tacks the veins on the under side of the leaves 
and stems causing leaves to curl, veins to turn 
brown and plant to stunt. Isolate from others 
and spray with a light oil as Volk. The plant 
may not bloom satisfactorily that season but 
you can save the tuber for the next year. To 
prevent, keep leaves and soil moist, and spray 
occasionally with a weak solution of garden 
volk. 
APHIS, WORMS AND LARVAE from butter- 
flies are best controlled by spraying with black 
leaf 40 in combination with volk. 
SNAILS, SLUGS, AND SOWBUGS are con- 
trolled by the use of poisons used for that 
purpose. 
OTHER PRECAUTIONS 
Too much water and shade causes spindly 
plants and poor blooms. 
Too much water and hot dry weather causes 
buds to fall off. 
Too much fertilizer causes leaves to curl 
under and plant to wilt. The main point is not 
to overdo. Treat them as you do other plants. 
If you do not have a suitable place to grow 
begonias our suggestion is to build a small 
ornamental lath house. You will also find it 
excellent for other plants. 
Come to see us and we will be pleased to 
help you. Your success is our success. 
PALOS VERDES BEGONIA FARM 
4024 Pacific Coast Highway 
Phone Redondo 7147 
Walteria, California 
Near Redondo Beach on Highway 101 
