begonia [Cherry Bon Bon]

Ideal for hanging baskets and tubs, and generally bought as cuttings. Start off indoors in spring in light, well-drained, neutral compost. May be grown permanently under glass in bright light shaded from direct sun. Otherwise move outdoors into a sunny or semi-shaded postion when all risk of frost is past. Dry off tubers in winter and store frost free. See Begonia: outdoors for further advice

Remove old stems and foliage as the plant dies back for winter

Propagate by basal or stem-tip softwood cuttings in spring

Can get caterpillars, mealybugs, thrips, glasshouse red spider mite, vine weevil and aphids

May be affected by powdery mildews and stem-rot