Groovy Mellow Yellow

Culture guide

Usage

Pots, Hanging Baskets, Mixed Containers, Packs and Landscape

Sowing method

1-2 pellets per plug. No covering required. 

Germination

Optimum conditions for seedling development, beginning on the day of sowing until radicle emergence. Expect radicle emergence in 7–10 days. Germination should be complete at 10 days unless optimum conditions are not provided. Humidity should be between 95-100 % until day 11; then dehumidify and reduce to 60 %.

Growing on

Obligate long day plant requiring a daylength > 13.5 hours to initiate flowering. A night break can also be used, lighting for 5 hrs. during the night from 10 pm-3 am.

Media

Plug culture: pH 5.5-5.8; EC 0.5; Begonias are sensitive to high salt levels. Use a media low in soluble salts. Begin with a media moisture level of saturated (5) from day 1–11. A saturated media and high humidity is critical to successful begonia germination. Beginning day 12, alternate between moisture levels wet (4) and moist (3).

Growing on: Use a well-drained, growing substrate. pH 5.5–5.8; EC 1.0-1.5. Alternate between moisture levels wet (4) and medium (2).

Temperature

Plug culture: 72–74°F (22-23˚C) until radicle emergence. Higher temperatures, exceeding 80°F (27°C) will inhibit germination. Upon radicle emergence, on day 10-14 reduce the temperature to 68–70°F (20–21°C) until cotyledon expansion has occured. On day 21 the temperature can be reduced further to 68°F (20°C). For irrigation use tempered water (above 64°F / 18°C) only.

Growing on: After transplanting 65–68 °F (18–20°C) nights for the first 14 days or until the roots reach the bottom of the container. Thereafter temperatures may be lowered to 62–64°F (17–18°C). An ADT (average daily temperature of 67°F (19˚C) will give the fastest finished crop. Temperatures below 57°F (14˚C) will result in tuber fomation and a delay of the crop. A DIFF of 34-36°F (2-3°C) 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 20-10-20 fertilizer and under lower light a 17-5-17.Once seedlings are established the 17-5-17 fertilizer works well. Include a micro nutrient package to give adequeste supply of minor elements.

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. Tall, stretched plants with few flowers indicate too much ammonium. Stunted, chlorotic plants with marginal leaf burn indicate a lack of calcium and magnesium. Under high light and extended daylength an ammonium-based feed (20-10-20) at 100-150 ppm nitrogen can also be used