TWO POTS OF BEGONIA BOLIVIENSIS, the straight species behind the flashy ‘Bonfire’ cultivar that we’ve talked about so much this year, arrived by mail-order in May, theoretically for use in pots. But they sat like a pair of stones all spring, summer, and fall (like the one in the photo still does, except for that tiny new dot of green on the right side of the tuber). Dead, I wondered, or just recalcitrant?
Recalcitrant, to the max, apparently. Just plain uncooperative, and following a beat of their own.
Seven months after they arrived, on nearly the shortest day of the year with months of low light and cold ahead, they have risen.
Oh, perfect. Of course I have any number of ideal conditions to offer these late-sleeper: Will it be a radiator, my sleepyhead darlings, or a drafty windowsill? (Kidding. Both are certain death.)
The description on my friend Tony Avent’s Plant Delight Nursery website noted their lazybones dispositions: “These do not emerge from dormancy until June, so chill out.” And so I did. And then it was July, and October, and even December…but the tubers were firm, so I didn’t toss them. And then a little green bead appeared on each one, and from it (on one of them at least) a shoot. Perhaps the Plant Delights catalog needs editing:
“These do not emerge from dormancy until December, when it’s really chilly out.”
What follows is another adventure in heroic plant-husbandry, at attempt to keep these two alive despite it all. I did so want to see what parent the beautiful ‘Bonfire’ (below) arose from…and with luck, and stamina, perhaps I will.
Now lest this spawn a round of nursery-bashing, I will add this: Plant Delights is ace; no fault that the very live babies they shipped me decided to take a very long nap before saying hello. Maybe the shock of arriving so far north of the Mason-Dixon line just freaked them out. Or maybe they wanted me to have a refresher course in that ultimate of all gardener lessons: patience. Mission accomplished, Tony. 
it lives: my overwintered begonia ‘bonfire’ 
one hosta per customer, but which one? 
Margaret,
Well, my “Bonfire” begonia just fizzled out–I was hoping to over-winter it this time, but no luck! Strangely enough, my potted rosemary is soldiering on in the exact same lighting conditions, but I’m sure it too will succumb to indooritis before long! Many thanks for making 2008 such a delight–I’ve enjoyed your blog, your readers’ comments and the stunning photography. Is there an “aerial” map of your place somewhere in the archives that could help us visualize your garden layout? Merry Christmas and all best for a Happy New Gardening Year in 2009!
Steve Zick
Evanston, IL
Thanks, Steve, for the encouragement. No aerial map…but what a good idea, a garden plan. I think the ‘Bonfire’ will go dormant but just the tuber stays intact, or so I am hoping. I put mine in the basement to encourage them to shut down and rest. Who knows? I’ll keep you all posted on my experiment.
I have a ‘Bonfire’ which did go dormant last winter and emerged in April to bloom all summer. This same plant is still green now in December although it has no blooms. No sign of dormancy yet. I guess it is fickle!
Glad I am not alone, Layanee.
I emailed the begonia’s former parent, Tony Avent, and he wrote back in the characteristic humor that we all know from his catalog and website:
“I can only assume that this was due to the big chlorophyll layoff this spring when the carbon prices spiked. Plants that hadn’t sprouted early were ordered to delay their emergence until the prices dropped. Now that the carbon prices have dropped, nature has given many plants the go ahead to sprout, which I’m sure is what happened to your begonia.”
Actually, I suppose it’s as good an explanation as any…
You mention a radiator as an option for a plant in dormancy. Does that also include plants not doing well in general? I asumed the steam radiator in my house would throw too much heat and harm the plant. Reading your post makes we want to try a few plants on to of the wooden radiator cover I have… Thoughts? How muh heat is too much (steam)heat?
Welcome, Joe. I realize from your comment that my sarcasm doesn’t “read” and I apologize. Virtually no plant will survive the radiator nor the drafty windowsill here, so I do not recommend either. Wish I could–we all have those spots (and don’t have the right places, where there is bright light but no draft and no baking). I will fix the post to make it clearer…before I am responsible for anyone killing anything! Thanks for your comment, and please do come back again soon. Happy and merry meantime.
Thanks Margaret. I had moved some Ivy (“Bettina”, Hedera helix) to a radiator top which happens to be under a window a few days ago. I hate to move it out of the light, but as you state baking it would be far worse. I guess we all have to hunker down until spring…
After an inspiring visit to Campo dei Fiori in Sheffield/Great Barrington MA, I feel an urge to fill my house with interesting indoor begonias. Does anyone know a good source to get them, either internet or an actual nursery you can visit (preferred)? Does anyone have experience with local begonia societies? There is one in Wellesley MA–has anyone tried it? Sometimes these are not open to newcomers. Thanks!
@Nancy: I order by mail from Logees, normally, or Kartuz also has a big selection.