Propegator

So Many Labels Mark :)

There are one or two tubers just starting to pip, i can just see them peeping through the compost - but the camera couldn't pick them up. I shall try and remember to take some more pictures when they start to get going.
There are some heated mats with seed trays on at the other end of the greenhouse as well.

May I tap into your expertise, Mark? I have always nestled begonia tubers into the compost but left their upper surface visible. Would you advise planting them deeper, enough to be Just covered by the compost ?

Xela: Yes, i have always covered the top of the tuber, not too deep, only just covered. This is because, as i understand, roots form all around the tuber including on the top.

Hi Mark, are these first year tubers in the seed trays, most of my tubers are about 5 0r 6 inches in diameter, once they have dried off i store them in the loft, in fish boxes without compost sprinkle with yellow sulphur making sure tubers don't touch, they usually sprout about March, then i pot them in compost just covering the tuber, are your tubers in the trays for showing this year if so good luck

Patrick, the first year tubers are in a different propagator. These are two or three year old tubers in the front propagator in the picture, could be three or four years old in the back propagator. Depending on the size, i usually discard them once they get too big, i try and keep them in a 6" or 7" pot for showing. If they go into a larger pot that will be used as a stock plant just for taking cuttings from. I like to grow my plants with one main stem and two side shoots, ideally. I know that some growers grow a huge plant that looks like a shrub, with lots of stems, but when i'm showing i like to grow with all blooms facing front for everyone to see. Blooms facing the back can only be seen if you can walk right around the plant. Also if there are too many blooms they tend to be smaller blooms.
When my tubers dry off in the back end, i fasten the label to the tuber with a rubber band and place them in seed trays - no compost. I leave them in the green house turned down to 40 F.
Hopefully they will be for showing, if they come to standard!