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Begonia Seed germination and cultural information
Plant type:
Tender annualUses:
Bedding plants, containers and pot plantPlant height:
15 - 25 cmSowing:
December - March, for main May/June sales April - May, for summer pot bedding salesLight needed for germination
Approximate crop timing (mid season)
Sowing to transplanting 5 - 6 weeks
Sowing to flowering 12 -15 weeks
Seedling to flowering 7 - 8 weeks
Begonia Growing on:
Temperature Minimum of 20
0C until plants are established, then lower to16 –18
0CpH 5.5 - 6.0
Begonia Feeding Use continuous low rate balanced feed.
Growth regulation May be used to reduce foliage size, 2 or 3 times before flowering. Responds to Chlormequat at 0.5 ml/l
Pack/Pot size Pack 18 - 24’s. Pot 9 – 10 cm
Planting out spacing 15 cm
Advice A pre sowing fungicide drench is advisable.
Good light levels are essential for seedling development but avoid direct sunlight.
Take care not to transplant shallow rooted seedlings too deeply. Water evenly
until the flower buds are visible but once established allow to dry between watering.
Common Diseases Damping off of seedlings (Pythium or Rhizoctonia)
Botrytis - Grey mould on mature plants in high humidity, poor ventilated
conditions.
Powdery Mildew
Plant type
: Glasshouse perennial. Grown as a tender annual.Uses:
Bedding, pots and packs, containersSowing:
Early December for May sales. 20 0C. Do not cover with vermiculiteGermination 2 - 4 weeks
Approximate crop timing (mid season)
Sowing to transplanting 7 weeks
Sowing to flowering 20 - 22 weeks
Seedling to flowering 13 -14 weeks
Growing on:
Temperature 18
0C for transplanting seedlings. Once roots have developed grow on at 15 – 18 0C. pH 5.5 - 6.5Feeding At about 6 weeks the seedlings may need a weak nitrogen feed. 4 - 5 weeks after potting on start liquid feeding with 150 ppm nitrogen (20.10.20).
Growth regulation Plants respond to Chlormequat at 0.5 ml/l. Use only if necessary.
Pack/Pot size 10 – 12 cm pots. Double six packs.
Begonia Planting out spacing 20 cm
Advice: Seedlings require supplementary light to provide more than 12 hours daylight
until mid March. Ensure high humidity and shade from direct sunlight from the
seedling stage until flower buds have initiated. Potting on should be done using a
soft potting technique followed by careful watering.
Common diseases Damping off of seedlings (Pythium or Rhizoctonia)
Botrytis - Grey mould on mature plants in high humidity, poor ventilated conditions.
Common pests Thrips, Cyclamen mite, Whiteflies.
Any chemicals referred to should be used only in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
The Technical and cultural details are written for gardeners and growers, they are not cut and dried and are for information purposes only. It is not intended as a blue print for growing. A guide for you to use and adjust the data to suit your growing conditions. All information is based on UK conditions and should be used for guidance only. No guarantee is given for the resultant crop, or liability accepted for using the information used on this website in any article web page or cd rom.