B. ‘Charisma series’

Culture

Propagation Method

Pelleted seed

Cultural Requirements

Crop time:19-21 weeks Sow time:21-23 weeks before the sales time November for flowering in pots April onwards December-January for flowering bedding plants May onwards Germination*:7-14 days at temperatures of 75-78 °F (23-25 °C). Growing On: Grow on at 70 °F (20 °C) Media: Use a well-drained, growing substrate with 15-30 % clay, 0-20 % perlite, 1-2 kg/m³ complete balanced fertilizer, iron-chelate, micronutrients, pH: 5.5-6.2. Temperature: Grow at 20 °C, later decrease the temperature to 18 °C. To harden the plants for selling and for better pigmentation temperature can be decreased to 16 °C. Does not tolerate frost. Fertilization: Moderate fertilization levels are required. Fertilize the crop weekly with 100-150 ppm nitrogen, using a complete balanced fertilizer. Keep ammonium levels low, otherwise the roots become damaged. At high nitrogen levels the foliage can become very big. Avoid pH above 6.0, as high pH causes iron deficiency. Apply chelated iron, if chlorosis becomes a problem. To prevent magnesium deficiencies apply magnesium sulphate (0,025 %) 1-2 times. Avoid high salt levels in substrate. Avoid high fertilizer concentrations, it is advisable to fertilize several times with low concentrations weekly. Unfortunately climate restricts both tuber production and specimen plant growth in the Midwest and southern areas of North America, although plants from the newer hybrid seed lines are more tolerant of warmer temperatures. Flowering is dependent upon the continuous formation of new leaves, as flowers are initiated in the leaf axils. Both leaves and flowers are initiated under a 12-hour or longer photoperiod. At <12-hour photoperiod, tuber formation is accelerated. At high temperatures, shoot growth is promoted, at low temperatures tuberization and ultimately dormancy are promoted. Other cultural considerations: • Night interruption or daylength extension are needed to ensure 14 to 16 hour photoperiod if the natural daylength is shorter. • The very fine root system is easily damaged from high soluble salts, excessive drying out or excessive moisture. • The N level at each fertilization should not be over 150 ppm. • Top quality 10-in. pots can be pinched 2 to 3 weeks after transplanting leaving four nodes with leaves. • Poor or abnormal growth of shoots can result from SD photoperiods which induce tuber growth not shoot growth.

Comments

The Charisma® series is designed to perform outdoors in cooler climates, unlike many other series which have been bred for indoor/greenhouse production and use.

Known In Cultivation

widely distributed

Original Botanical Description or Link to

http://www.benary.com/en/product/C0480 http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/floriculture/hort429/Lecture/begonia.pdf