Begonia x benariensis 'BIG™ Red with Bronze Leaf' - Benary

4
Extraordinarily different!
Begonia x benariensis ‘BIG Red with Bronze Leaf’ Improved
� Most vigorous, well-branched landscape begonia
on the market
Top performance from early spring to late autumn
� ‘BIG’s are 2 weeks earlier than competing varieties
High sales potential
� Large (3” / 8 cm ), showy flowers are held above the foliage
Excellent eyecatcher with maximum show
� Thrives in a wide range of climates and soils;
can be planted in sun or shade
Showy appearance in containers, the garden,
and landscape settings
13-14 wks 12-24” / 30-60 cm Sun-shade Raw & pelleted
www.benary.com · www.big-begonia.com

Technical Information
Life Cycle: Annual
Exposure: Full sun to shade
Uses: Pots, mixed containers, baskets and
mass landscape plantings
Crop Time:
4” (10 cm) Pots North: 12-14 weeks; South: 10-12 weeks
Gallons North: 14-16 weeks; South: 12-14 weeks
Baskets North: 15-17 weeks; South: 13-15 weeks
Available as: Plug tested, pelleted seed and raw seed
Germination: Begonias require light to germinate, do not cover
seed or pellets. Germination occurs in 5-10 days at 70-74 °F
(21-23 °C), with a relative humidity of 95 % or higher. For pelleted
seed, slightly higher temperatures and 100 % relative humidity
aid in uniformity of germination. Germination media with a pH
of 5.5-6.5 is optimum. Uniformly moist and well-drained soils
are important.
Media: pH 5.5-6.6 for optimum plant growth and quality
Plug Culture: During Stage II (10-14 days), gradually lower
temperatures to 68-70 °F (20-21 °C). Maintain uniform soil
moisture. Do not allow young seedlings to dry out. Begin
fertilization at 50-75 ppm nitrate nitrogen. During Stages III and IV,
continue to gradually lower temperatures to 65-70 °F (18-21 °C)
and feed at 100 ppm nitrate nitrogen on a weekly basis. During
this stage, supplemental extended day lighting will decrease crop
time and improve plant quality.
Finish: Transplant plugs into finished containers 5-6 weeks after
sowing. Grow on at 62-68 °F (16-20 °C). Fertilize at 150 ppm
nitrogen weekly, watching to avoid excessive salt build-ups. High
light conditions promote better branching and earlier flowering.
Plants respond well to assimilation lighting. Provide adequate
space to allow for maximum branching.
Cultural Hints: Monitor for fungus gnats and shore flies in the
moist plug trays and treat appropriately. Higher light levels and
sufficient space are important for improved branching.
Do not use Bonzi or Sumagic to control growth.
Timing
‘BIG Red with Bronze Leaf’ Improved ‘BIG Red with Green Leaf’ ‘BIG Rose with Bronze Leaf’
Crop time in weeks
Tray / Pot Plant per pot from 128 from 288 from seed
128 1 - - 9-10
288 1 - - 8
5-6” / 13-15 cm 1 5-7 6-8 -
7” / 17 cm 2-3 5-7 6-8 -
8” / 20 cm 3 7-8 8-10 -
10” / 25 cm
(Hanging Basket)
3-4 7-10 8-10 -
Annuals
5