Lifting Begonia Tubers

As seen here, I remove foliage down to within 7.5 cm (3 inches) of soil/compost level. It is best not to remove the stalks at this time; they die naturally in storage and can be removed easily.

After carefully digging around the tuber (don't forget to allow for an increase in size through season's growth), I prise them from the compost, then leave them in dry air to dry.

You don't have to do this. They can be left in the compost over winter, provided it is not too wet. But they seem to store best with some dry soil/compost (about 1 to 2 cm) around the tuber, and will stand quite a bit of frost in this condition.

The soil/compost is removed by carefully easing it away from around the tuber, taking care not to damage it (I find tubers are very delicate when just dug up). If tubers are accidentally damaged, open wounds can be dusted with yellow sulphur powder to prevent fungal spores getting in.

Some growers recommend treating with 'Thiacloprid' ('Provado Vine Weevil Killer') to kill vine weevil grubs at this stage. I don't. I let them over-winter, then remove them in spring before the roots have resumed growth. This way, if the tuber is damaged, it doesn't matter so much.