I'm determined next year to mass out these long blooming mounds of Begonia in my front beds. I see them in many of the businesses in full sun. Those with the bronze leaves seem to fair the best out front of our local bank. Every time I drive by I just gasp at their beauty. My question is, should I wait until the nurseries start selling them in flats in early spring or would it be best for me to start them from seeds in early spring?
Deborah
Begonia x semperflorens bedding plants or from seed?
My advice is to sow the seeds indoors in Oct - Nov so they can be set outside when the nurseries get their stock.
Have you grown Begonias from seed before? The seeds are not much bigger than dust. Did you know they seeds are sown on top of the soil medium - they need light to germinate. It can be done and a lot of fun.
Richard
Thank you for that bit of information, Richard. I didn't know that. I've only been able to find seeds from Parks Seed. Do you know of any other vendors that sell Begonia seeds?
Some tiny seed are pelletized which makes it easier to sow and supposedly to grow. I think it has been disproven on light needed for germination because some people purposefully germinate their seed in the dark to inhibit algae growth. Once germinated they then move it to light. It is probably safer to germinate under light so you don't forget it in a dark place though.
Burpee, and eBay have seeds for sale. The pellets or strips help a lot. The seeds are so tiny they could be blown out of your hand. If you are a member of the American Begonia Society, they have a seed fund with good prices and you can find further instructions for growing from seed.
I have not read anything about the need for light during germination to be disproven. Even the latest publications from the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens indicate light is needed for germination.
I think I read the light thing in either The Begonian or The Yahoo Begonia Group which have very reputable growers of begonias from seed. Either way, it doesn't really matter if it's needed or not for germination because eventually it will be be needed.