Begonias

Discussion in 'Other Plants' started by john michael cook, Dec 14, 2014.

  1. john michael cook

    john michael cook Apprentice Gardener

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    Sent for some begonia seeds iIumination type ive been told that they will not flower this year is that true any advice please regards MICK
     
  2. JWK

    JWK Gardener Staff Member

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    You need to wait till early next year to sow them for flowering next summer, unless you have a heating/lighting set up.
     
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    • JWK

      JWK Gardener Staff Member

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      You maybe know this john, but begonia seed is very tiny, it resembles dust. Sometimes it comes in a little glass/plastic phial within the seed packet. I struggle with these, so I add a little dry silver sand to the seed and a gentle shake, this makes it much easier to sow evenly.
       
    • HarryS

      HarryS Eternally Optimistic Gardener

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      John , I grow Begonia Illumination from tubers every year . They are a great reliable plant for shade / semi shade positions . I grow from saved tubers every March . You will find lots of garden centres sell begonia Illumination from Mid April in packs of four , for about £5-£6 . Three plants will fill a 14" basket . I have never grown Begonia from seed as I understand it can be a little tricky.
       
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      • john michael cook

        john michael cook Apprentice Gardener

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        Thanks all the seed ive got is pelleted and intend to start them next month in a heated propagator then transfer them to a heated green house which will be holding my leeks and onions I bought plug plants from a local nurserie last year in feb and brought them on the display was amaseing not that i used them they were given to my sisters now the rest of the family wants them this year so i thought ill grow them from seed to save money and was told by a friend that it took 2 year for them to flower from seed so great news cant wait to get started now cheers all merry christmass
         
      • JWK

        JWK Gardener Staff Member

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        They will flower in the same year - provided you start them earlier enough as you plan.
         
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        • pete

          pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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          Begonia seed is very slow growing for the first two or so months, especially the tuberous types.
          I think the seedlings will need 60F min to grow on, quite a bit warmer in fact than leeks or onions.
           
        • strongylodon

          strongylodon Old Member

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          I agree with Pete that they will need 15c/60f to keep them growing at first, they are slow and fiddly to prick out, buying mini plugs is a better bet.
           
        • Spruce

          Spruce Glad to be back .....

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          just to add , dont over water the compost they will "damp off" get a fungus , I have tried seed you need patience and a close eye on them everyday
           
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          • Billybell

            Billybell Gardener

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            Just to add to what has already been said. Begonia seed needs light to germinate, so should be sown on the surface of the compost and left uncovered. I am not sure how this will be effected by the fact that your seed is pelleted. Presumably the pellet will dissolve leaving the seed exposed to the light.

            The method I used was to sift some multi purpose compost, then put the fine stuff that had gone through the riddle to one side for the moment. The rough stuff that was left in the riddle was placed at the bottom of a seed tray to provide good drainage. A layer of unsieved multi purpose was then added and finished off with the finely sieved stuff on top. The tray was watered from the bottom and the seed (mixed with silver sand) was sown on the surface. This was then placed in a propagator under a grow light. I used to get nearly 100% germination of Begonia Rex using this method.
             
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            • HarryS

              HarryS Eternally Optimistic Gardener

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              That is exactly how I sow fine seed...except for the 100% germination :biggrin:
               
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