Repotting guide

When & how to repot Begonia 'Pin Up Flame' (Begonia × tuberhybrida 'Pin Up Flame')

Also called pin up flame begonia, bicolor tuberous begonia.

More about begonia 'pin up flame'

About Begonia 'Pin Up Flame'

Begonia × tuberhybrida 'Pin Up Flame' · also called pin up flame begonia, bicolor tuberous begonia · flowering

Begonia 'Pin Up Flame' is a tuberous begonia with large single flowers in creamy yellow boldly edged in fiery orange-red, an eye-catching bicolour that holds an RHS Award of Garden Merit. Grown as a half-hardy annual or lifted tuber, it flowers all summer in partial shade in moist, free-draining soil and is stored dry over winter.

Mature size: Around 25-35 cm tall and wide.

How to tell begonia 'pin up flame' needs repotting

Repotting on a calendar is less reliable than reading the plant. For begonia 'pin up flame', watch for these signs:

Flowering has tailed off year on year and the clump has become congested and overcrowded.
Lots of leaf and few flowers — a classic sign that begonia 'pin up flame' bulbs or tubers need lifting and dividing.
Bulbs visibly bursting the pot or pushing each other to the surface.
It is the natural dormancy window (foliage yellowed and died back) — the only safe time to lift and split.

For the underlying biology of a pot-bound root system and why it stalls a plant, see our guide to spotting and fixing a root-bound plant.

How often to repot begonia 'pin up flame'

Lift and divide every 3–4 years once clumps congest. Rather than a true repot, begonia 'pin up flame' is lifted and divided once the clump congests and flowering drops off. Bushy, mounding tuberous begonia with brittle, succulent, upright stems; compact and well branched, good for beds, pots and patio displays..

What size pot to step begonia 'pin up flame' up to

Pot size matters less than depth and spacing here. When you replant begonia 'pin up flame', set the bulbs or tubers at the correct depth (a rough guide: two to three times their own height of soil over the top) and space them so they are not touching. A wide, shallow pot suits a clump better than a tall narrow one.

Not sure of the exact diameter? Our pot size calculator takes the current pot and root spread and tells you the right next size — it deliberately recommends a single step up, never a big jump.

The best time of year to repot begonia 'pin up flame'

The only safe window is dormancy: wait until the foliage has yellowed and died back naturally, lift and divide then, and replant before or at the start of the next growing season. Disturbing begonia 'pin up flame' in full growth or flower sets it back badly.

Step-by-step: repotting begonia 'pin up flame'

Wait for dormancy. Let begonia 'pin up flame' foliage yellow and die back completely. Lifting while it is in growth wastes the energy it is storing for next year.
Lift carefully. Loosen the soil well away from the bulbs/tubers with a fork and ease the whole clump out without spearing them.
Separate the offsets. Gently pull the clump apart into individual bulbs or tubers. Keep only firm, healthy, blemish-free ones.
Replant at the right depth. Reset them in fresh rich, moisture-retentive but free-draining potting compost at the correct depth and spacing — not touching — so each has room to bulk up.
Water in and rest. Water once to settle them, then keep on the dry side until growth resumes. Do not feed until leaves are actively growing.

Aftercare

After replanting begonia 'pin up flame', keep the soil barely moist — not wet — until shoots appear; bulbs and tubers rot in cold, saturated soil. Once leaves are growing strongly, resume normal watering. Hold off feeding until the plant is in active growth again.

The right soil mix for begonia 'pin up flame'

Begonia 'Pin Up Flame' wants rich, moisture-retentive but free-draining potting compost. Plant in a quality multipurpose or peat-free compost lightened with grit or perlite. The shallow roots and brittle, succulent stems need an open medium; heavy, sodden compost rots the crown and tuber. Always use fresh mix when you repot — reusing old, broken-down soil reintroduces the compaction and poor drainage you are repotting to fix.

Repotting begonia 'pin up flame' — frequently asked questions

How often should you repot begonia 'pin up flame'?

Lift and divide every 3–4 years once clumps congest for begonia 'pin up flame'. Begonia 'Pin Up Flame' is lifted and divided, not "repotted". Every 3–4 years, once the foliage has died back and it is dormant, lift the clump, separate the offsets, and replant at the correct depth in rich, moisture-retentive but free-draining potting compost. Crowding, not pot size, is what reduces flowering over time.

What size pot does begonia 'pin up flame' need?

When is the best time of year to repot begonia 'pin up flame'?

Do you "repot" begonia 'pin up flame', or lift and divide it?

You lift and divide it. Begonia 'Pin Up Flame' grows from bulbs or tubers, so instead of repotting you wait for dormancy, lift the congested clump, separate the healthy offsets, and replant them at the right depth and spacing. Doing this every 3–4 years restores flowering.

Should you fertilise begonia 'pin up flame' after repotting?

Hold off feeding begonia 'pin up flame' until it is in active growth again. Fresh soil already carries enough nutrients to get it re-established, and feeding disturbed roots too soon does more harm than good.