Temperature: The use of warm temperature propagation can rapidly encourage rooting of Begonia. Recommended environment includes use of 68 degree F. night temperature. Misting in propagation should be used for the first 10 -14 days to mitigate excessive wilting. Propagation environments set up with high indirect lighting will help to warm day temperature and encourage rapid rooting.

Fertilize: Starter fertilization can begin at 75 to 100 PPM and increase to 150 - 200 PPM at root formation.

After root: After root initiation, stretch in propagation can be mitigated by the use of B-9 at 2500 PPM, and movement of cuttings to lower temperature and lower humidity environment.

More information: Should Interveinal chlorosis be present, review pH and hold pH to 5.8 to 6.2, avoid rising pH by use of acid fertilization. In addition review irrigation practices and allow drying to occur in between irrigations. Scheduling for rooting should be 4 weeks.

Environment: Environment is critical to good Begonia growth after transplant. At transplant, transition the rooted cuttings into 5 - 6000 foot candle environment with night temperature at 62-65 degrees, slightly lower temperature and higher light compared to the propagation environment. Begin increased fertilization to 200 PPM.

After rooting: After rooting into final container, reduce irrigations and begin to dry slightly between irrigations. Temperature can again be lowered to 65 degree nights and high of 75 degree day. Product can be moved to brighter light with 8000 ft candle as a target.

Use of extended lights: Begonias respond to flowering under 14 hour phtoperiods, and lighting can be used to assure flowering under short day conditions. Recommendations include daylength extension to 14 to 16 hour days, starting lights at midnight and continuing to sunrise. (Or Grow light extension of Morning with lights from 6am to 8am and then again 5pm to 8pm).

More information: If PGRs are needed to get controlled growth, use of B-9 at 1500 to 2500 PPM can be applied after transplant. Also late applications of Bonzi at .25 to 1.0 have been reported to slow vegetative growth and allow flowering to continue. Use PGR recommendations as general guidelines.

CLEAN STOCK: Susceptibility of Begonia to viruses are well known. Kientzler Begonia come from Kientzler Innovaplant with commitment to unsurpassed clean record of production reliability.

Crop Scheduling: Use the following schedules for finishing Begonia, 4 (Non pinched) in 7 - 9 weeks or 6 inch Pinched containers in Early spring should finish in 9 to 11 weeks, 8 and 10 inch containers 12 to 14 weeks, and Baskets 12 to 14 weeks. Later Spring finish can be reduced by 1 week.