Begonia Tuber

I have a tuberous begonia that grew like mad in a basket last summer. I have over wintered it and it is now ready to come back into growth, but it is at least 8 inches in diameter. Should I cut it up into smaller sections, if so what should I do to ensure it doesn't get any disease from this operation?

 

Welcome to the board big daddy

I've not tried it myself but this article seems to make sense. (scroll down the page untill you find the bit about division.

"Tubers can be divided too. First step is to get the tubers growing in March. When buds (eyes) first start to appear, remove the tuber from the growing medium and divide with a sharp knife leaving at least one eye per cut division. Dust with a general purpose fungicide following the label directions. One source recommends dusting with powdered charcoal. Let these divisions air dry for a few days. Plant in moist sand with the eyes
on top. At one to two inches of growth replant in regular growing soil mix."

[ 14. February 2006, 04:29 PM: Message edited by: frogesque ]