Begonia Tuberhybrida Nonstop Mocca Mix Seeds

Culture guide

Usage
Bedding, patio containers and landscape, window boxes, pot plants

Sow time
November for flowering pots from April onwards, December-January for flowering bedding plants from May onwards

Sowing method
1-2 seeds per plug

Germination
Maintain optimal conditions for seedling development should begin on the day of sowing until root emergence. Expect root emergence in 7-10 days.

Growing on
Transplant plugs into finished containers with a well drained media, and pH of 5.5 to 6.5. Maintain day length in excess of 14 hours. Continued supplemental lighting will improve plant quality and shorten crop time. Growing temperatures between 68-72 °F (18-22 °C) optimize growth and flowering. Fertilize at 150-250 ppm nitrogen in a well-balanced formula.

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

Temperature
Plug Culture: Maintain 22-23°C (72-73°F) until roots emerge. Higher temperatures. exceeding 27°C (80°F) will inhibit germination. Upon root emergence, on day 10-14reduce the temperature to 20--21°C (68-70°F) until cotyledon expansion. On day 21 the temperature can be reduced further to 20°C (68°F). For irrigation use warm water (above 18°C/64°F) only. Maintaining the ideal temperature will achieve the shortest crop time. On days 28-42 keep the temperature at 20-21 °C (68-70 °F). A slightly lower temperature of 19-20 °C (66-68 °F) will reduce stretch in the seedlings. Tuberous begonias are very responsive to DIF where a 1-2 °C (34-36 °F) DIF will also keep plants compact. Once roots have reached the bottom of the tray after day 42 the temperature can be lowered to 18-19 °C (64-66 °F).

Growing on: After transplanting maintain 18-20°C (64-68°F) nights for the first 14 days or until the roots reach the bottom of the container. Thereafter temperatures may be lowered to 16-18°C (60-64°F). An ADT (average daily temperature) of 19°C (66°F) will give the fastest finished crop. Temperatures below 14°C (57°F) will result in tuber formation and a delay of the crop. A DIF of 1-2°C (34-36°F) will result in a more compact crop requiring little to no growth regulators.

Fertilization
Plug Culture: Begin fertilizing early, once germination is complete, approximately day 14. Lower rates of feeding at 50 ppm 2-3 times per week will help to size up the seedlings. Under higher light conditions use a 17-5-17 fertilizer and under lower light a 14-4-14. Alternate between a calcium based fertilizer (14-4-14 or 15-5-15) and an ammonium based fertilizer (17-5-17) at 50-100 ppm nitrogen every 2-3 waterings. Fertilizer applications can be gradually increased in the later stages of bulking where a constant feeding at 100 ppm is used. Under high light and long days an ammonium based fertilizer (20-10-20) at 50-100 ppm can also be used.

Growing on: Alternate between calcium based fertilizer 14-4-14 and an ammonium fertilizer 17-5-17 at 100-150 ppm. Keep the media EC at 1.5. Application of potassium nitrate can help to keep the plants more compact. Under higher light and warmer temperatures a fertilizer with additional ammonium can be used.