BEGONIA GROWING ABOUT AUCKLAND

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 173, 24 July 1941, Page 19

BEGONIA GROWING ABOUT AUCKLAND

INURING the past few years there has been a revival in j interest in Auckland in begonias, ! but those who admire these glorious flowering plants at our public parks often do not realise how easily they can be grown in the home plot. The fibrous-rooted begonias of the small-flowered semperflorens type are particularly valuable for summer bedding. Their flowers range from pink through salmon to scarlet and their beauty is enhanced in. many instances by rich bronzy foliage. They are easily raised from seeds sown now in a glasshouse or frame. The seed should be sown in pots filled with a compost consisting of . equal parts of finely sifted sand, loam and l£>afmrvnld

The seeds are like dust and require no covering. The soil should be kep moist Ind g no more. When about 1 r high seedlings are pricked out lntc boxes and later transferred U individual plots. Glowing Colours Equally valuable for filling flowei beds to give a brilliant summer dis play are the large-flowered tuberous rooted begonias. These present ; ■ wonderful range of glowing colours Tubers are available from seed? men and when they arrive should b< ■ planted immediately into boxes, u

good compost consists of five parts of fibrous loam, two parts each of leafmould and clean sand, and a little well-decayed cow manure. About 2oz of bonedust can be added to each pound of the completed mixture. Press the tubers lightly into the soil, which should be kept fairly loose. When the danger of frost has passed, the plants can be put out in a bed rich in leafmould and well

worked and drained. Dormant tubers can be planted direct in the beds in spring. They appreciate abundant moisture in summer and should be watered in dry spells. Mulch if the soil is light, using lawn mowings or leaf mould. Begonias, particularly the tuberous type, are ideal for glasshouse or bushhouse cultivation in Auckland. A suitable compost for growing and flowering them consists of three parts good fibrous loam, one part leafmould or dry cow manure and suflicient sand to make it porous. They delight in abundant moisture. To grow the pendulous hybrid varieties, wire baskets are lined with moss and then filled with compost, the tubers or seedlings being set in them when growing freely.