Begonia sparks will fly

Tangerine was named the Pantone 2012 Color of the Year, and nectarine made Pantone’s 2013 Spring Fashion Color Report, so if you’re looking to grow something that is in keeping with the trend, Sparks Will Fly is a good pick. This begonia produces soft-orange blooms that will flush yellow in the fall against bronze-colored foliage. Blooming from early spring to late summer, it has a height and spread of 15 to 18 inches and a mounded habit. It requires partial to full shade, and is ideal for patio containers or used as a low-growing annual in the front of the border.

Production:

• Stick cuttings in a disinfected propagation area the day they arrive. Preventively drench to avoid pythium.
• Media should be slightly moistened, well-drained and aerated, with a pH of 5.8 to 6.2 and EC of 1.0 to 1.5.
• Keep media temperature at 72°F and air temperature between 68 and 74°F, with 70 to 80 percent humidity.
• Slightly water cuttings after sticking. Mist one to three days, but avoid saturated media. Cuttings should be watered in the morning.
• Keep cuttings shaded at 1,500 to 2,000 foot candles during the first week. Once well-established, cuttings can tolerate light levels of 2,500 to 3,500 foot candles.
• Fertilize cuttings in the morning at 150 to 200 ppm N using a well-balanced fertilizer as they root.
• For a more compact cutting, use PGRs during rooting.
• Pinch liner at third node, before fifth node develops.
• Extend daytime to 14 hours, using HID lights if possible.
• During finishing, maintain temperature between 55 and 60°F at night and 65 to 75°F during the day. Always keep temperature above 55°F.
• The ideal light range is 3,000 to 4,000 foot candles. Finish under longer days to promote flowering.
• Allow media to dry between watering and use a constant liquid feed program of 200 to 300 ppm.