Planting begonia corns.

andygb

I have planted begonia corns before in tubs and baskets, and had quite good results, but read some instructions in a garden centre yesterday which made me think that I had been doing it all wrong.
I have always planted them about four inches deep in a nice, light, well drained mixture, usually in the centre of a pot or basket, with other smaller plants around the edges.
However, the garden centre instructions for planting, was to plant the corns on the surface, not even a sprinkling of topsoil to cover.
Can anyone please advise me what they do, because I am now doubting my own method which seems to have worked fine in the past.

Cally_Smart

That could explain why mine rotted and didn't come up! I thought the corms were probably dried out too much then I'd over watered them. I shall try that next time!

Orange_King

Yep, they dont need to be under the soil at all as they will simply take root from underneath and produce the new growth from above. Just nestle them into the compost. It will certainly help prevent from rotting and be easier when you come to store them for next year at the end of the season.

savemoney

I leave the top clear and the corms just slightly pushed into compost lightly

andygb

Thanks for the advice folks, I will replant a couple (I should have called them "corms" not "corns"), and do the same with the rest.
I have never been able to save any before, so this may be what I am doing wrong.

savemoney

Don't worry its a learning curve gardening, we all make mistakes from time to time. My corms are just sprouting have them in my potting shed for past 18 days

wallbash

Have just checked mine and glad to say we have some signs of life.
I have trailing begonia's and last year invested in some 'easy' hanging baskets, made the job very much easier then fighting with toilet -rolls.

peter_the_piper

Much easier than toilet rolls we just roll the plant in a square of plastic, poke it through and then the plastic unrolls for you.