What is the price of tuberous begonia seeds? Detailed planting methods
The tuberous begonia is a plant of the genus Begonia in the family Begoniaceae. Its flowers are large and numerous, brilliantly colored, and elegantly shaped, combining the form, color, and fragrance of famous flowers such as camellia, peony, and Chinese rose, and it is therefore known as the crown of begonias. There are three propagation methods: seed sowing, tuber propagation, and cuttings, but in production, seed sowing is mainly used. Let us take a look below at tuberous begonia seed prices and planting methods!
How much do tuberous begonia seeds cost?
The price of tuberous begonia seeds is very cheap, generally around 3 to 5 yuan per gram, and one gram contains several hundred seeds. The tuberous begonia is a garden hybrid created by crossing some wild tuberous begonias native to South America, Asia, Central America, and South Africa, and it is now cultivated all over the world. It likes a warm, humid, and semi-shady environment. The optimal growth temperature is 16 to 21°C, and it is not tolerant of high temperatures. Above 32°C, the stems and leaves are prone to withering and the flower buds to dropping, and above 35°C the underground tubers rot and die. The optimal storage temperature for the tubers is 5 to 10°C.
Sowing methods for tuberous begonia
1. Sowing method: Tuberous begonia can be sown using 200-cell or 288-cell plug trays. The seedling medium uses imported seedling peat moss with 10% large-grain perlite of 3 to 5 mm added. The seedling cycle is about 10 to 12 weeks, and the seeds should not be covered during the seedling process.
2. Seedling stage
① The first stage has a temperature of 22°C to 24°C and takes 7 to 10 days. The medium must be kept moist, and this stage requires full light.
② The second stage has a temperature of 21°C to 22°C, with fertilization once a week, alternating different ratios of N, P, and K, for about 14 to 21 days.
③ The third stage has a temperature of 20°C, with a fertilizer concentration of 100 ppm to 150 ppm, fertilizing twice a week, and takes 35 to 42 days.
④ The fourth stage has a temperature of 15°C to 17°C, takes 7 days, and the fertilizer concentration is the same as in the third stage.
3. Seedling management: During the seedling period of tuberous begonia, the water pH is best at 5.5 to 6.5, and the substrate pH is best controlled at 5.8 to 6.2. At the same time, pest and disease control should be carried out. After the cotyledons emerge, spray weekly with 1000-fold chlorothalonil or thiophanate-methyl, for 2 to 3 consecutive times.
Planting methods for tuberous begonia
1. Soil: Cultivating tuberous begonia with peat moss is beneficial to tuber growth. The medium pH is best slightly acidic at 5.5 to 6.2, and it can be prepared with peat moss soil : perlite : vermiculite at 3:1:1.
2. Temperature: The optimal growth temperature for tuberous begonia is 16°C to 25°C, but in winter it should not be lower than 10°C, and in summer not higher than 28°C. It most prefers environmental conditions with a large difference between day and night temperatures.
3. Light: Under long-day conditions, tuberous begonia can be promoted to bloom, while under short-day conditions it will enter dormancy early. In summer, a shade net is needed, otherwise diseases are likely to become prevalent.
4. Humidity: Tuberous begonia relatively likes moisture, and a humid ecological environment is extremely favorable for its growth. During planting, it is sufficient to keep the air humidity controlled at 60% to 80% throughout the growth period.
5. Fertilizer and water: During the growth period of tuberous begonia, the N:P:K ratio is 1:1:1, and during the flowering promotion period it is 1:2:2, with a fertilizer concentration of 0.1 to 0.2%. Usually fertilize once every 3 to 4 days. From small seedlings to large seedlings, the EC value should gradually increase from 1.0 to 1.6.
6. Pests and diseases
① Stem rot and root rot can be watered with 1000-fold carbendazim wettable powder solution or 1000-fold benomyl solution.
② Scale insects can be killed by spraying with 1000-fold 40% omethoate emulsifiable concentrate.
③ Leaf roller moths can be killed by spraying with 10% pyrethrin emulsifiable concentrate and 2000-fold derris extract.
④ Thrips can be killed by spraying with 4000-fold potassium permanganate.