BEGONIAS FROM SEED

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 3 December 1927, Page 4

BEGONIAS FROM SEED

' Begonias are easily raised from seed, if sown in" spring, or- even now, if placed in a greenhouse or frame. The seeds of begonias are exceedingly small, and must be sown with the greatest care, on a fiuely-sift'eTi surface of light, rich soil; leaf mould, that has been well baked, is the best, with no addition/except that of a little silver sand; for if much sand is used the surface cakes and becomes green. In sowing these or other fine seeds it is a great mistake to use too large a body of .soil; an inch and a half in depth altogether is plenty, and whether potß, pans, or boxes arc used, the rest ought to consist of rough-drainage material. Of the soil, the lower inch should bo rather rough, tho upper £in. rather finely sifted, and Jin. on the surface made very fine. Water before sowing, and after sowing cover with a, sheet of glass, or cover,with, a sheet of paper until the seedlings are well up. In no case must the soil be allowed to become drv - • i i The sooner the seedlings are pricked off into other pots, pans, or boxes, after they have formed a couple of rough leaves, the better, as they will feel the check less and grow faster. Keep the plants near the glass to induce dwarf, sturdy growth, and as soon as sufficiently advanced transfer into pots singly, and pot,on from time to time as they require moro root space, and as the planjs advance in growth a little welldecomposed manure added to the s °il will be beneficial. It is surprising the number of plants and tho wide range of colour that can be obtained from a packet of good seed, if carefully sown, and the plants are properly attended to when raised. For growing outside in the beds or borders the simple varieties are undoubtedly the best for the purpose, the flowers of the double varieties being naturally heavier and more easily damaged by the wind.