How do you store a tuberous begonia for winter?

Hello Y/A friends! I bought Non-stop orange tuberous begonias this past spring and I've heard you can store them for winter (In WI) and they will grow back next year. Can someone tell me how to do this correctly? Also looking for ideas in red, white and blue shade tolerant flowers for next spring. Would petunias do OK? They will get maybe 3-4 hours of sunlight daily. Thanks!

How do you store a tuberous begonia for winter?
To prepare the Begonia tubers for dormancy, gradually reduce watering and stop fertilizing at the end of August. Some gardeners may choose to remove any flower buds that form in September to encourage dormancy and the storing of energy in the tuber.





Dig Begonia tubers when the foliage starts to yellow, or after the first killing frost. Cut the stems to about five inches, and allow the tubers to cure (dry) indoors at room temperature, out of direct sunlight, until the remaining stem pieces are dry and loose or approximately 2 weeks. Pull off stems and any roots or soil, but don't wash the tubers.





Store the tubers in a perforated plastic bag, sack or box filled with peat moss or vermiculite in a cool, dark place. The ideal storage temperature range is 4°C (40°F) to 10°C (50°F).





Impatiens will give you red and white shade tolerant flowers. Purples are the cloeset you'll come to blue with Impateins. Cineraria (Senecio cruentus) will tolerate light shade and give you true blues. You can get blues in Lobelias as well.
Reply:Petunias need nearly full sun. Consider some of the lobelias, wax begonias, impatiens, nicotiana, Torenia fournieri, ageratum, Browallia, Coleus, Schizanthus, snaps, Cleome.





As for your nonstop, why not just pot it up and put it in a sunny windowsill this winter?
Reply:What zone are you?


No, petunias need full sun. I would go with impatiens because they are colorful and will do great with minimal sun. Astilbe are also a good choice for shade gardens. As for the begonias, if you live in the warm southern climates then you don't need to remove them and they will go dormant on their own, but make sure you stop watering in late October or early November. However, if you live in the colder northern climates then wait until your first light frost that damages the foliage. This will cause your begonias to go dormant. Dig up your begonia, dust off the soil and let it set out to dry for a few days. When it is dry enough then the branches should pop off easily. After they are dry then place each individual tuber in its own paper bag and place in a box. Remember to check them for rot throughout dormancy.


Good Luck