Begonia x hybrida

PanAmerican Seed’s Begonia × hybrida Gryphon is named for the mythical creature with the head and wings of an eagle and the body of a lion. Its unique foliage makes a dramatic statement in combination or specimen containers. This partial shade plant reaches 14-16 inches tall and 16-18 inches wide. It tolerates temperatures to 40°F.

From sowing to transplants takes eight to nine weeks. One plug per 4- or 5-inch pot finishes in five to six weeks. Two to three plugs in a 6-inch pot finish in five to six weeks. For 10- to 12-inch pots or hanging baskets plant three to four plugs that finish in nine to 11 weeks.

Gryphon doesn’t have any major insect or disease problems.

• Gryphon fits into existing begonia plug culture. Germination takes approximately 10 to 12 days at 72°F-78°F. Light is required for germination. The seed is very sensitive to drying out during early stages of germination. Use a well-drained, disease-free, soilless medium with a pH of 5.8-6.2 and an initial nutrient charge (electrical conductivity of 0.5 mmhos/cm at a 1:2 extraction). Sow one pelleted seed per cell in 288 or larger plug trays. Maintain 95-97 percent relative humidity until cotyledons emerge. A saturated growing medium and high relative humidity is critical to germinate successfully.
• For growing on use a soilless medium with a pH of 5.4-6.0 and electrical conductivity of 1.0 mmhos/cm. Maintain a night temperature of 62°F-67°F and day temperature of 65°F-75°F. Light level should be 3,000-7,000 footcandles. Gryphon could flower when grown under a daylength of 11 hours or less. At daylengths longer than 11 hours, flowering is significantly delayed or plants never flower.
• Avoid both excessive watering and drought. Apply fertilizer at a rate 175-225 parts per million nitrogen once a week as soon as plugs begin to root out.
• Generally, plant growth regulators are not needed. A tank mix of B-Nine (daminozide) 2,500 ppm and Cycocel (chlormequat) 300 ppm or B-Nine alone (for cooler areas) can be used two weeks after transplanting. Avoid using chlormequat alone as it can cause phytotoxicity. No pinching is required.