Begonia X Benariensis
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Garden Height:40 cm 15,75 inch

Flower Size:8 cm 3,15 inch

Crop Time:Plug crop: 6-8 weeks; Flowering pots (sowing to flower) depending on season, light intensity, and pot size: 1 plant in 12 cm pot: 13-14 weeks (Plant height: 15-20 cm) or 3 plants in 20 l container: 15-16 weeks (Plant height: 30-35 cm).

Sell Period:from mid of April to June

Seed Form:Plug tested pelleted and raw seed

Seed Count:80000 K/g

Sowing Time:from mid of December onwards

Sowing Method:1-2 seeds/pellets per plug

Germination:Stage I: 8-12 days at 23 °C with a relative humidity of 95 % or higher; Stage II: 10-14 days at 20-21 °C; Stages III+IV: 18-20 °C in a media with very low soluble salt levels an pH 5.5-6.2. Requires light for germination. Do not cover seeds. In winter supplemental light (50 W/m2) is recommended. Long day plant. The day length should be 12 h. Keep soil slightly moist but not wet. Avoid substrate to dry out.

Plug Culture:From stage II reduce the moisture, but the plugs should not dry out. Do not let soluble salt level rise above 0,5 EC as roots are sensitive to high salt levels. Start fertilization at 50 ppm nitrogen in a well balanced formula. During stages III+IV fertilization levels can be increased up to 100-150 ppm.

Growing On:6-7 weeks after sowing transplant 1 plug into 12-13 cm pot (12 cm: 35-40 pots/m2, 13 cm: 30-35 pots/m2). The plugs should have 2-3 sets of true leaves. High light conditions promote better branching and earlier flowering.

Media:Use a well-drained, growing substrate, pH 5.5-6.2.

Temperature:Grow at 17-19 °C.

Fertilization:Moderate fertilization levels are required. Fertilize at 150 ppm nitrogen weekly, watching excessive salt built-ups.

Cultural Hints:Monitor for fungus gnats or shore flies in the moist plug trays and treat appropriately. Higher light levels and sufficient space are important for improved branching. For selling harden plants to adapt to cooler night temperatures and high UV levels.