Elatior, Volcano, Rex and Waterfall Begonia Care *

Substrate

The potting media should be of a well aerated and coarse structure. We recommend a coarse peat, well decomposed leaf mold and perlite. On capillary matting we recommend about 10% perlite and for ebb-and-flow irrigation 15% perlite should be added to the mix. The optimum pH is 5.8 - 6.0.

Temperature

After potting 72F should be maintained (night and day). As soon as the plants are well rooted, 68F is sufficient (night and day). During the last stage of the crop 65F (day) can be maintained in order to get a more intensive flower color (night temperature 68F). Growth regulation by negative DIF is possible.

Shading

The shading screen should be adjusted to allow for 1600 to 1800 foot candle.

Controlling Pests & Disease

Common Pest problems are with Aphids, Mites, White Fly, Thrips, and Fungus gnats.

Common Disease problems are with Powdery Mildew, Botrytis, Phytium, Foliar nematodes and Xanthomonas Begoniae (bacterial blight).

Artificial Lighting

For lighting Begonias there are several possibilities. It is however not necessary to light the plants to make them bloom.

1. Assimilation lights during the entire crop period. The light intensity which should be used is 250 - 300 foot candle. Total day length should be 14 to 16 hours. The lamps should be programmed to come on once the natural radiation intensity is lower than 400 foot candle.
2. Another method when growing under assimilation lights is to use lights only during the first 4-5 weeks. After this period plants are spaced and can be placed about 8W per square yard.

When using assimilation lights, dosing of CO2 can be continued during the period of lighting. A dose of 650 ppm is most economical, never exceed more than 800 ppm.

After Potting

Use Fungicide drench after potting to control Rizoctonia and Pythium.

Solenia Begonia Care *

Currently, our Solenia Begonia assortment consists of three different cultivars - red, orange and pink. All three are very weather resistant and specially selected for outdoor performance.

Peat

Solenia® can be potted in every good quality peat. Most important, the peat must keep a good moisture level. Example for a good quality peat:

80% peat moss 15% peat moss fragments 5% clay 5.25 kg/m3 Dolokal 1 kg/m3 PG-mix

Pot Size

Pink and Orange: 5 to 6 Inches. Red: 5 to 6 Inches. Solenias® are also very suitable for growing in dishes.

Pinching

Red: For a good size, it is recommendable to pinch. Pink and Orange: You have to pinch for bigger pot sizes. Time: One week after potting or after three leaves appear.

Temperature

After potting, keep a temperature of 65F to 68F (day and night). As soon as the plants are well rooted, you can drop the temperature to 62F to 65F. To harden off the plants, you should keep the last two weeks of the culture at the temperature of 57F. If the plants stretch too much, you can use the cold drop which is a drop of 3 degrees from 2 hours before sunrise until two hours after sunrise.

Shading

Solenia® must be grown under as much light as possible. Only at the start do you have to shade if the radiation is higher than 18000 lux (=252 W/m2 = 91 J/cm2).

Artificial Lighting

For lighting Solenia®, there three possibilities:

1. Assimilation lighting during the complete time of culture. The light intensity should be 2500-3000 lux. This corresponds with about 35 watt/m. The total day length should range from 16-18 hours.
2. Another method is to grow the plants under assimilation lights during the first four weeks. After that, the plants are spaced and placed in another greenhouse where real lighting is simulated by TL- or Grow lamps (about 8 watt/m2). Especially in winter, this method results in quick and healthy start of the plant.
3. The whole culture under TL- or grow lamps with eventually cyclic lighting. In that case, the lighting should be 10 minutes per half hour.

In cases 1 and 2, the dosing of CO2 can be continued during the period of lighting; however, it is of no use to dose CO2 in the case of lighting by TL - or grow lamps. A dose of 650 ppm is most economical, at any rate, never more than 800 ppm.

Short Days

This is not really necessary. For Red and Pink it may be preferable to use for more uniform crop with more compact plants. If you blackout, it must be in the first three weeks after potting and for a period of at least 10 days.

Stopping

Solenia must be stopped, especially the Red and Orange. It also depends on whether you have pinched the plants. If you stop, start two weeks after planting, and then every week. Concentration of 1%. Of course, stopping depends on the size of the plant you want, the temperature you grow, etc. It can be necessary to stop two times a week.

Fertilizing

After potting, give calcium nitrate 1 gr/quart. Later, fertilize with 12-12-36 and calcium nitrate. 6 weeks after potting, only potassium nitrate or 12-12-36 to harden off the plants. The plants must have been in the peat at an EC of at least 1. If you don't fertilize enough, you will get a lot of single flowers. Also, you should fertilize on a regular basis to get the best performance.

Sticking

For smaller plants it is not always necessary but sticking is advisable, especially for bigger plants. In 4 inch pot, you need 2 or 3, and with a  5 inch pot, you need 4 or 5. 

Culture Time

The culture time depends on the following:

• growing conditions
• pinching
• pot size
• how many flowers are needed
• time of potting

Growing time for 5 inch pots with open flowers is 8 weeks.

Possibilities

Please be aware that Solenias are not an indoor houseplant but an outdoor plant. 

Solenias are best used in window baskets or as a patio plant. Solenias also grow well in gardens, either in the shade or direct sunlight.