Bedding pot or basket - Begonia tuberhybrida

New Entry 2009
Begonia tuberhybrida
"Primary® Deep Red"
Flowering period: April - September

Height 25 - 50 cm
Spread: 25 - 50 cm
Habit: Ground-cover/ Crawling
Flower type: Double
Size: 5 - 10 cm
Leaf Color Dark
Placement: Partial shade to full shade
Water Average
Fertilizer need: Average
Typical use Bedding pot or basket
Plant type: Annual

Class New Entry 2009

BEGONIA TUBERHYBRIDA, TUBEROUS-ROOTED BEGONIA, BEGONIA TUBEROSA 'Primary Deep Red'

The 'Primary' begonia series, like its sister series 'Nonstop'®, offers unmatched germination and Plug development, large, fully double flowers and exceptional garden performance. Early to flower with a tight, compact habit, the series ensures cost effective production for the grower. The newest colours in the series, 'Deep Red' and 'Pink Shades' round out the color selection and offer the same fully double flowers, and exceptional garden performance as the rest of the 'Primary' series.

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Crop Time:   Plug crop: 8-10 weeks; Flowering pots (from sowing to flower): 17-19 weeks

Seed Form:   Raw Seed and Pelleted Seed

Seed Count:   0 K/g

Sowing Time:   December-January

Sowing Method:   1-2 seeds per plug

Germination:   Stage I: 7-14 days at 21-23 °C 70-73 °F and relative humidity of 95 %. Maintain high moisture. Light germinator, don't cover seeds or pellets. Additional light (50 W/m2) accelerates germination and improves quality of the seedlings; Stage II: 28-42 days at 20-21 °C 68-70 °F. Continue long day lightning (14 h) and avoid saturated or dry media, lower humidity levels. Water temperature should be 18 °C 64 °F. Stage III-IV: 18-20 °C 64-68 °F.

Growing On:   6 weeks after sowing transplant 1 plant per plug tray (4 x 4-6 x 6 cm) and 12 weeks after sowing transplant 1 plant into a pot (10-12 cm) 4''. Avoid cool substrate at transplantation. Two time transplantation supports root development and young plant quality.

Media:   Use a well-drained, growing substrate with 15-30 % clay, 0-20 % perlite, 1-2 kg/m2 complete balanced fertilizer, iron-chelate, micronutrients, pH: 5.5-6.2.

Photoperiod / Light:   Long day plant. Long day (14-16 h) is necessary for flower initiation. In winter assimilation light is recommended for good plant development and quality and will shorten crop time. Short days will result in tuber formation

Temperature:   Grow at 16-18 °C 61-64 °F. 10 days before selling temperature can be decreased to 16 °C 61 °F. Temperatures below 14 °C 57 °F will result in tuber formation and crop delay.

Fertilization:   Moderate fertilization levels are required. Fertilize weekly with 150-200 ppm nitrogen, using a complete and potassium balanced fertilizer (N: K20-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 6.5, 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 supports compact plant growth and provides a dark green foliage colour. Avoid high soluble salts in the soil.

Cultural Hints:   Before selling harden the plants at 16 °C 61 °F and UV light. Keep sufficient distance between plants in greenhouse. Do not cultivate too wet, because roots are sensitive. Avoid high relative humidity in greenhouse. Check plants for Powdery Mildew and treat appropriately.

All colors
     C6360 'Primary Mix'
   C6220 'Primary Orange'
   C6170 'Primary Pink Shades' 2009/2010
   C6270 'Primary Scarlet'
   C6310 'Primary White'
   C6110 'Primary Yellow'

* Germination Stages (from seed to finished young plant)
Stage I: Starts with the radicle breaking through the testa. The roots are touching the medium. Ends with fully developed cotyledons.
Stage II: Starts from fully developed cotyledons. Ends with the fully developed true leaf or true leaf pair.
Stage III: Starts from the fully developed true leaf or true leaf pair and ends with 80% of the young plants being marketable.
Stage IV: All young plants are ready for sale and in the process of being hardened off. This stage lasts about 7 days.

Hint:
The cultural recommendations are based on results from trials conducted under Central European conditions. Different conditions in other parts of the world may lead to deviations in results achieved.