Shocked By New Buds on Begonias In Store

After being caught unprepared by the plummeting temperatures in December, I thought it a good idea to try to propagate some new begonias in case any have been lost. I was shocked to find new buds on one begonia tuber in store.

Although fresh, these buds look as if they have been growing for a week or two. But why have they appeared? The tuber has been in an unheated garage, subjected to freezing conditions whilst only covered loosely by a few sheets of newspaper. It doesn't make sense.

The only reason I can give is that the tuber might think it's spring. But although temperatures have been mild this past week or so (about 10 deg C (50 deg F)), this is hardly high enough, or long enough, to sustain so much development. Another mystery.

Will run propagator at about 15 deg C (59 deg F) for a while and see what happens. Have packed tubers with garden soil. Need to watch out for any slugs hatching out.