AmeriHybrid Picotee Tuberous Begonia 'Calypso'

Layer upon layer of white petals, with a pink, picotee edge.

The two tone petals are a sight to behold. Each bloom grows 10-20cm (bigger with disbudding). Gorgeous, mounding plants that can bloom prolifically.

Tuberous Begonias have a misleading reputation of being difficult, but they are easily grown with a little know how. As a general guide, they are happiest in a position where ferns and orchids grow, such as under a patio, or tree out of the hot sunlight.

Tuberous Begonias grow best in pots, in climates with cool nights. You can easily grow them in the mild areas of NSW, the Qld Tablelands, Victoria, Tasmania and south of Perth in WA. They won't tolerate direct sunlight and high heat, so it is best to place your pot where it receives filtered light such as under a tree, shade cloth, a porch or in a shade house.

It is important to get the watering right, they seem a bit fussy, but easy to please once you know how.

1. When the Begonia tuber begins to shoot in August/September keep the soil just moist, watering as the soil begins to dry.

2. When the plants are actively growing and flowering, saturate the pot (avoiding the stem and leaves), then allow the soil to almost dry out before watering again. This is important because if it is kept constantly wet it can breed fungal or bacterial infections and cause tuber rot.

3. When the Begonia tuber is dormant (winter), you need not water at all, until around August/September when the new growth begins.

In pots or hanging baskets it is important that you don't rely on the potting mix for fertiliser, it has a limited amount and should be supplemented with a liquid or pelletised fertiliser as well. They can produce a lot of blooms if well looked after.