Pot, bedding, patio, basket - Begonia tuberhybrida

New Entry 2009
Begonia tuberhybrida
"Illumination® Peaches'n Cream"
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: Full sun to partial shade
Water Average
Fertilizer need: High to medium
Typical use Pot, bedding, patio, basket
Plant type: Annual

Class New Entry 2009

BEGONIA TUBERHYBRIDA, TUBEROUS-ROOTED BEGONIA, BEGONIA TUBEROSA 'Illumination Peaches 'n Cream'

Charming elegance are the words that come to mind to describe the newest addition to the 'Illumination'® series. 'Illumination® Peaches 'n Cream' has an abundance of large double flowers 5-7.5 cm 2-3'', in a soft spectrum of peaches 'n cream colour shades, creating a spectacular display in hanging baskets and large containers that will brighten shady locations.


TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Flower Size:   7 cm -    2,76 inch

Crop Time:   Plug crop: 8-10 weeks; Flowering pots (from sowing to flower): 18-20 weeks; Hanging basket: (from sowing to flower): 23-25 weeks

Seed Form:   Raw Seed and Pelleted Seed

Seed Count:   0 K/g

Sowing Time:   November-December for flowering pots and hanging baskets from April-May.

Sowing Method:   1-2 pellets 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 lighting (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 (4x4 - 6x6 cm) and 12 weeks after sowing transplant 1 plant into a pot (10-12 cm) 4'' or 3-4 plants into a hanging basket (20-30 cm) 8-12''. 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: 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 6.5, 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.

* 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.