Begonia Olympia

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Life Cycle:Annual

Familiy, Origin:Begoniaceae, South and Mid America

Sitelocation:Full sun to partial shade to shade

Garden Height:20 cm, 7,87 inch

Crop Time:Plug crop:5-6 weeks; Flowering pots:11-16 weeks, depending on season, light intensity and variety

Sell Period:May-June

Seed Form:Raw Seed and Pelleted Seed

Seed Count:90909 K/g

Sowing Time:December onwards

Sowing Method:1-2 seeds per plug

Germination:Stage I: 5-10 days at 23-26 °C with a relative humidity of 95 % or higher; Stage II: 10-14 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. In winter supplemental light (50 Watt/m2) is recommended. The day length could be 12 h. Keep soil slightly moist but not wet. Avoid the substrate to dry out.

Plug Culture:From Stage II reduce the moisture, but the plug should not dry out. 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 100-150 ppm.

Growing On:5-7 weeks after sowing transplant 1 plant into a pot (8-9 cm) or pack. The young shoots should have 2-3 sets of true leaves.

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. In winter supplemental light (50 Watt/m2) is recommended for the good plant quality. The day length could be 12 h. Protect the plants in summer against high sunlight.

Temperature:Grow at 17-19 °C. For selling harden the plants at 7-10 °C and UV light. B. semperflorens does not tolerate frost.

Fertilization:Moderate fertilization levels are required. Fertilize the crop weekly with 100-150 ppm nitrogen, using a complete balanced fertilizer. Avoid high ammonium and high nitrogen levels, because the foliage can grow 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. Avoid high salt levels in substrate.

Cultural Hints:Control the pests and diseases especially in the Stages I-III regularly. Be aware of Botrytis and Phytophthora in the winter. For selling harden the plants at 7-10 °C and UV light.