Begonia NONSTOP ® MIXED

Begonia NONSTOP MIXED x tuberhybrida - Tuberous hybrid begonia Nonstop, seed mix, Begonia Nonstop Mix.

Begonia is a genus of plants in the family Begoniaceae, comprising more than 1600-1800 species distributed across the tropical and subtropical regions of South and Central America, Africa, and Asia. The greatest diversity is observed in humid forests and mountainous areas, where the plants inhabit the shade of trees, rocky slopes, and moist crevices. The genus is distinguished by an exceptional variety of forms and high ornamental value.

Representatives of the genus can be herbaceous, shrubby, semi-shrubby, tuberous, or rhizomatous. Shoots can be erect, creeping, or trailing. The leaves are most often asymmetrical, with pronounced nodes and internodes on the stem, often even more decorative than the flowers. Leaf coloration varies from green to dark burgundy or almost black, with silvery, pink, or contrasting patterns.

The flowers are unisexual, gathered in complex paniculate inflorescences. The size and shape of the flowers are diverse: from small to large cultivar forms with a diameter of up to 20 cm (8 in). The perianth is brightly colored, with white, pink, red, and orange shades occurring. The fruit is a capsule with extremely fine, dust-like seeds.

The flowers are very large, up to 10 cm (4 in) across, densely double, resembling roses in shape, and open continuously from late spring until frosts. The seeds are offered as a mix, so it is not known in advance what color they will be: the Nonstop series includes white, yellow, orange, pink, and red forms. The bush forms a compact cushion 20-30 cm (8-12 in) high and 30-40 cm (12-16 in) wide.

The seeds are dust-like, less than 1 mm (0.04 in) long, light brown, formed in dry capsules. Germination rate is usually 40-70% and depends noticeably on germination conditions. Soaking dust-like seeds is impractical, so the substrate itself is sanitized: before sowing, it is drenched with a weak solution of potassium permanganate and dried slightly.

Sowing is performed on the surface without burying onto a sterile fine-textured substrate based on peat and perlite. The seeds are distributed evenly over the surface and pressed lightly. The sowing is moistened from a spray bottle with a growth stimulant solution: SUPERthrive, HB-101, Aminozol, Epin, or Zircon, placed in a greenhouse or covered with film or a lid, and placed in a warm spot at a temperature of 22-25 °C (72-77 °F) in bright diffused light. Daily airing is mandatory; moistening is performed only from a spray bottle or through the bottom tray.

Seedlings emerge after 10-20 days, the minimum period being about 7 days, and the maximum possible may exceed 35 days. After emergence, the temperature is lowered to 16-18 °C (61-64 °F). Pricking out is carried out in several stages as the seedlings strengthen, since young plants are very fragile: after 5-6 weeks, seedlings are pricked out into individual pots, and after another 5 weeks, the plants are planted into larger pots and containers. After pricking out, stable humidity and soft lighting are maintained so that growth remains uniform.

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Begonia is grown in bright diffused light, with direct midday rays restricted to prevent leaf burns. Placement on east or northeast windows is preferred; in case of lack of light, soft supplemental lighting is used. Under weak lighting, leaves become smaller and lose their decorative quality.

During the period of active growth, a temperature of 20-26 °C (68-79 °F) is maintained. Cooling below 16 °C (61 °F) is undesirable. In the autumn-winter period with the shortening of daylight hours, the temperature can be lowered to 10-15 °C (50-59 °F) with a gradual reduction in watering. During a warm wintering, supplementary lighting is provided. Watering is regular and moderate; the substrate is kept slightly moist, but without water stagnation. The soil must be allowed to dry out between waterings.

Air humidity is maintained moderately high - a tray with wet pebbles or expanded clay is used. Spraying is permissible in the morning or evening, avoiding direct sun. A loose, breathable substrate based on leaf soil with the addition of peat and perlite is used. The pot is selected wide and shallow. Repotting is performed as the plant outgrows its container, usually once every 1-2 years, with mandatory drainage.

Fertilizers are applied only during the active growth period 2-3 times per season or once every 2-3 weeks with a weak solution of fertilizer for foliage plants. Pruning is carried out 1-2 times a year to form a denser crown, removing dried leaves and weakened shoots.