WINTER BEGONIAS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22402, 24 April 1936, Page 11 (Supplement)

WINTER BEGONIAS

SEMI-TUBEROUS KINDS Few greenhouse plants will give a more generous return than k do the winter flowering types of begonias, providing, of course, that they are given correct cultural treatment. The troubles experienced by growers are most frequently due to a lack of understanding of the requirements of the plants, for once their needs are realised they present no more trouble than do the ordinary run of winter flowering subjects. Pride of place among the winter flowering section must, of course, be given to the semi-tuberous kinds, which have been obtained by crossing the tuberous rooted varieties with the winter flowering species, B. socotrana. Unlike the tuberous varieties they do not require a complete rest after flowering. The root stock is midway between the tuberous and fibrous-rooted, kinds, and they must at all times have sufficient water to keep the stems plump

and healthy. There are a few varieties, including the salmon-orange Optima, which have a more or less well defined tuber, and which do sometimes lose their leaves and steins, but even with these it is prudent to water through the resting period. Excess of moisture at the root is a condition they will never tolerate at any time, and at this season of the year the water-can must be handled with more than the usual discretion, for with lower temperatures prevailing, and the lack of warm sunshine, water is not evaporated to the same extent. The atmosphere of the house should also be slightly on the dry side. It is obvious that cooler conditibns are in themselves suffiicent to check transpiration to a very great extent,

and by keeping the atmosphero fairly dry, damping of tho foliago and excessive condensation during the night will be avoided. Well grown plants should now be full of bud and flower, and wilj appreciate some help in the way of feeding. Since excessive moisture is to be avoided, the best plan is to use very dilute solutions of natural manure, and use it instead of, or in the place of, water. One thing to guard against is that the liquid does not leave a sediment on the soil. At the first sign of this the sharpened stick should be used to prick up the surface. The plants do not require the same amount of shade as the summer flowering kinds, but at the same time a little shade from bright sunshine will be appreciated..