Begonia Marmorata

Plant your 'Marmorata' begonias in a shady or slightly sunny location, in light and moist soil rich in humus. Begonias don't like heavy soils, so lighten it if necessary with some sand. Plant them after the last frost, one per pot of about twenty centimetres, or spaced 25 centimetres (10 inches) apart in the ground. Plant the begonia with the hollow side up, and cover with 5cm (2in) of soil. Like dahlias, you can speed up their growth cycle by planting them as early as February, in a pot, kept sheltered, and taking them out in May. Water regularly. Apply begonia fertilizer at planting, then twice a month during the season. Remove faded flowers. Dig up the bulbs before the first frost, and store them in a bit of turf, in a dry and cool place, during winter.