Begonia grandis Bulbils

last year

My Begonia grandis produced some bulbils this fall and I'm wondering if I can grow them indoors now. I know they'll grow in the spring if I leave them outside, but I'd like to get them growing now if possible. Do they need a rest or cool period?

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hc mcdole

last year

I bought from them at least twice and lost both - grew one in the ground and lost it so the second time I kept it in the pot and lost it after a year or two. Weird how that works out.

Here is a big one grown in Orlando and it is HOT down there. This is in harsh morning sun mid-May. It may be hardy in winter for freezing areas but it grows well in the tropical areas too.

The one I showed in bud has a little more open a week later. July 18, 2020 It looks like it has attracted some stink bugs or similar insects to it.

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Comments (9)

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
last year
give us a big city name.. so we can hone in on where you are.. it might make a difference ...

you are asking if there is a requisite dormancy ... personally.. i dont know...

ken
Zone 7b
Original Author
last year
Yes, do the bulbils need a dormant period before the will grow? I'm near Raleigh, NC.

Thanks
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hc mcdole
last year
Take a few bulbils and try sprouting them indoors. If they spout, then they didn't need a cool or cold spell. If they don't sprout then you can safely assume that they do need a cold spell (stratification period) to sprout. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Report back on your findings. Others may be very interested to hear. I let mine do their thing outdoors.
Zone 7b
Original Author
last year
I brought several indoors about a week ago. No growth so far. I'll keep you updated.

Thanks
hc mcdole
last year
Sounds like a good plan. I have bought them over the years and grew them in the ground and in a pot and lost them. I got some from a gardening friend at a begonia club meeting. I brought in some cuttings or rooted begonias to pass around in an aluminum pan. I put those dug up plants from my friend in the same pan, added some potting soil (poked holes in the pan) and put them under the shade of an azalea. I haven't done one other thing to this pan of begonias and now I have them spreading over the years from bulbils and maybe seeds. Guess the answer was not to buy them? Or quit coddling them?

This is them in 2018 with two different florist ivies (they have to be weed whacked these days).

Here they are back in July this year. Where's the pan?

May 1st, this year. They are as competitive as the florist ivies.

April 20th, they are waking up after a winter's rest.

Last year's blooms.

Late Feb seed pods

Can be weedy but I like that.
Zone 7b
Original Author
last year
Sounds like they are tougher than they look and that the area under the azalea is the perfect spot. Thanks for the info.
hc mcdole
last year
Yes, they are tough. Here are some at one of our local nurseries where they are growing next to and under potting benches outdoors.

One of mine from a few years ago starting to bud. This was G. evansiana which may be a little different than what I have now. I lost the G. E. This was one I bought instead of being gifted by someone else.
Zone 7b
Original Author
last year
Nice! I'm surprised they haven't dug them up and offered them for sale.