Should I wash my begonia corms?

That's it, really, and what is the best way to store them over winter?

All help gratefully received.

Thank you

Neil C

 

Hello Neil
No need to wash them , just let them dry off over a couple of weeks and remove as much soil as possible from them by gentle rubbing . If any are showing signs of rot discard them .Remove all the old stems , and wrap lightly in tissue paper. Store them in a plastic bag with some shredded paper around them , cut a few holes in the base of the bag to allow a little air to circulate. Then hang them in the coolest frost free spot you have . I hang mine in the garage . Oh if you have a few different sorts clearly label the bags - I have just managed to mix all my corms up this morning by mistake !!:gaagh:
Pot them up beginning of March next year in a warm corner of the house !

 

Probably not. I suspect washing will encourage them to rot off more than if they were stored dirty but dry.

Like potates, which keep far better if sold au naturel. Apparently, however, the public just will not buy dirty spuds. Crazy, innit.

 

Never washed mine.
A bit like washing a brillo pad, I would think.

I just remove most of the soil/compost once dry, and store frost free in an onion bag.

 

Thank you.

Can you please tell me...

...if corms made from plants will, as it were, reach maturity in their first year.

...the best way and time to start them off (if not in their final position).

Thanks again.

 

They should flower first year I think and you can plant them out in march I think?
Last year when I stored mine I kept them in the pots and water them every now and then over winter. Come spring it had all turned to pulp I thought you did not let them dry out lol :o