I wonder if anyone can give me some advice please. I know that I can take cuttings from sprouting dahlia tubers but can I do the same with begonias ???
I had a peek last night and I have got a whole bunch of shoots ;D ;D
Never heard of anyone taking cuttings of begonia shoots and having checked several sources for you no book seems to mention it or recommend it, they all only mention division.
No reason why you shouldn't try a couple if you have got lots of shoots, you never know it might work and you could become famous. :D
I don't think it will work - certainly, when I've tried to root broken pieces they've failed without exception.
Nothing to stop you trying, though - just don't exhaust the tuber in the process!
Ooo... this got me thinking and hoping (done it with dahlias before, but not begonias... yet!)
Google says here (http://www.begonias.ca/prop_intro.htm):
QuoteThe "by cutting" propagation method is often considered the method of choice amongst growers.... of all propagation methods, basal cuttings are probably considered to the most effective and have the highest chance of producing a fat healthy tuber at the end of the first year...This method is typically just done for tuberous begonias...
link with more details about basal cuttings here (http://www.begonias.ca/prop_basal.htm)
Not tried it myself before, but having just got a few tubers of scented begonias in the post, I'm certainly going to give it a go :D
I grow blackmore and Langdon begonias for shows and provided you are talking about begonias growing from corms cuttings root very easy. If you start your tubers in a tray,just covering the top, you will get good strong shoots, you can cut some of them with a sharp knife close to the corm.I use a misture of half compost half perlite, out one cutting in a small cacti type pot (about 1 1/2 inches diam.) if you can give them a little bottom heat, not too much, they root in about 2/3weeks grow them through the summer and you should have a new corm about the size of a 10p piece.You can take cuttings during the summer months but it is more difficult.They used to say you should not cover the corm but that is now not so, if you cover the corm about 1/2 inch you get a lot more root and should any water get in the hollow at the top the compost will draw it out.
Jitterbug ,yes i am sure you can but i would dust the corm with flowers of sulphar when you have cut it, just a dusting like a babys bum Hahahaha!
Good luck wait to hear how you get on.Rosebuddy. ;D
Just to put it right in case I did not get it clear I did not mean you cut the corm,you only take the stem.You can cut the corm up provided each piece has a growth on it but I prefer to take cuttings as you get a better root system.