Pot and bedding - Begonia semperflorens

New Entry 2009
Begonia semperflorens
"Super Olympia® Bicolor"
Flowering period: April - November

Height < 25 cm
Spread: < 25 cm
Habit: Spherical
Flower type: Simple
Leaf Color Light Green
Placement: Full sun to partial shade
Water Average
Fertilizer need: Average
Plant type: Annual

Class New Entry 2009

BEGONIA SEMPERFLORENS, BEGONIA SEMPERFLORENS-HYBRIDS, WAX BEGONIA 'Super Olympia Bicolor'

Benary is proud to introduce yet another, unique color to the popular 'Super Olympia'® begonia series. 'Super Olympia® Bicolor' is the newest addition to the series making a total of 7 colours in this durable, versatile landscape begonia series. Abundant flowers envelop 'Super Olympia®'s glossy green foliage. At 15-20 cm 6-8'', 'Super Olympia® Bicolor' offers a well-branched, mounding habit that is ideally suited for mass plantings or annual borders. With the industries toughest germination standards, and 'Super Olympia®'s high seedling vigor, plug growers can count on this series' performance. 'Super Olympia®'s broad colour range and unparalleled garden performance make them the standard for durability and versatility.


TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Crop Time:   Plug crop: 5-6 weeks, Flowering pots (from sowing to flower): 12-14 weeks

Seed Form:   Plug tested Pelleted and Raw Seed

Seed Count:   0 K/g

Sowing Time:   December onwards

Sowing Method:   1-2 seeds/pills per plug

Germination:   Stage I: 5-10 days at 21-23 °C 70-73 °F with a relative humidity of 95 % or higher, Stage II: 10-14 days at 20-21 °C 68-70 °F, Stages III+IV: 18-20 °C 64-68 °F 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, minimum day length should be 12 h. Maintain uniform soil moisture. Do not allow young seedlings to dry out.

Growing On:   5-7 weeks after germination transplant 1 plant into a pot (8-9 cm) 4'' or pack.

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

Photoperiod / Light:   Long day plant. In winter supplemental light (50 Watt/m2) is recommended for good plant quality. Minimum day length 12 h.

Temperature:   Grow at 17-19 °C 63-66 °F. Before selling harden plants at 7-10 °C and get them used to UV light. Begonia semperflorens does not tolerate frost.

Fertilization:   Moderate fertilization levels are required. Fertilize weekly with 100-150 ppm nitrogen, using a complete balanced fertilizer. High ammonium and high nitrogen levels cause big foliage. Avoid pH above 6.5, as high pH causes iron deficiency. Apply Fe-chelate if chlorosis becomes a problem. Avoid high salt levels in substrate.

Cultural Hints:   Monitor for fungus gnats and shore flies in the moist plug trays and treat appropriately. During cool dark periods, watch for signs of Botrytis and Phytophthora. If temperatures rise, treatments of Cycocel are effective growth regulators.

All colors
   C2750 'Olympia® Starlet'®
   C2370 'Super Olympia® Coral'
   C2400 'Super Olympia® Light Pink'
   C2500 'Super Olympia® Mix'
   C2410 'Super Olympia® Pink'
   C2440 'Super Olympia® Red'
   C2460 'Super Olympia® Rose'
   C2480 'Super Olympia® White'

* 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.