BEGONIA TUBERHYBRIDA, BEGONIA TUBEROSA Ornament

TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Life Cycle:Annual

Familiy, Origin:Begoniaceae, South America

Sitelocation:Full sun (Northern Europe) to Partial shade to shade

Garden Height:18 cm 7,09 inch

Flower Size:9 cm 3,54 inch

Crop Time:Plug crop:8-10 weeks; Flowering pots:20-24 weeks; Flowering container/ hanging basket: 23-25 weeks

Sell Period:April-July

Seed Form:Raw Seed and Pelleted Seed

Seed Count:50000 K/g

Sowing Time:November for flowering, in pots from April onwards; December-January for flowering, bedding plants from May onwards

Sowing Method:1-2 seeds per plug

Germination:Stage I: 7-14 days at 23-25 °C with a relative humidity of 95 % or higher. Stage II: 28-42 days at 20-21 °C; Stage III and IV: 18-20 °C, in media with very low soluble salt levels and pH: 5.5-6.2. Requires light for germination. Do not cover seeds or pellets. Consistent moisture of the substrate and high humidity above 95 % for fast, uniform germination. Avoid the substrate to dry out. For irrigation use warm water (above 18 °C) only.

Plug Culture:From Stage II reduce the moisture, but the plug should not dry and cultivate under long day (14 h). Do not let soluble salt level rise above 0,5 EC. The roots are sensitive to high salt levels in substrates. Start fertilization at 50 ppm nitrogen in a well balanced formula. During Stage III and Stage IV fertilization levels can be increased up to 150-200 ppm.

Growing On:6 weeks after sowing transplant 1 plant per plug tray (4x4 - 6x6 cm) and 12 weeks later transplant 1 plant into a pot (10-12 cm) or 3-4 plants into a hanging basket (20-30 cm). Avoid cool substrate for transplantation. Two time transplantation support root development and young plant quality.

Media:Use a well-drained, growing substrate with 15-30 % clay, 0-20 % perlite, 1-2 kg/m3 complete balanced fertilizer, iron-chelate, micronutrients, pH: 5.5-6.2.

Photoperiod/ Light:Long day plant. Keep light levels moderate (minimum 550 lx) and long day (14-16 h) for flowers initiation and vegetative growth. In winter assimilation light is recommended for the good plant development and quality. The assimilation light will shorten the crop time. Night interruption is possible. Do not stop the exposure to assimilation light before March. Protect the plants in summer with a shading against high sunlight. Short days will result in tuber formation.

Temperature:Grow at 16-18 °C. 10 days before selling the temperatures can be decreased to 16 °C. Temperatures below 14 °C will result in tuber formation and crop delay.

Fertilization:Moderate fertilization levels are required. Fertilize the crop alternating with 150-200 ppm nitrogen, using a complete and potassium balanced fertilizer (N: K2O-ratio: 1:1,5). Keep low ammonium levels, otherwise the roots become damaged. At high nitrogen levels the foliage can become very big. Avoid pH above 6.0, as high pH causes iron deficiency. Apply chelated iron, if chlorosis becomes a problem. To prevent magnesium deficiency apply magnesium sulphate (0,025 %) 1-2 times. Additional foliage fertilization with potassium support compact plant growth and the foliage gets a dark green color. Avoid high salt levels in substrate. Avoid high fertilizer concentrations, it is advisable to fertilize several times with low concentrations weekly.