Begonia seed - time for battle (again)

djbnat · « **on:** February 01, 2009, 17:45 »

Hi all
It will soon be time for my annual losing battle trying to get Bergonia seed to germinate - the really fine seed that is surface sown, not corms. Does anyone have the secret? Every year I surface sow and cover the tray with clear perspex in a heated greenhouse, leaving the seed uncovered as directed but it always fails to germinate. Any ideas what is wrong?

Regards
DJB

garddwr · « **Reply #1 on:** February 01, 2009, 18:06 »

Hi,

I am going to have a go at them this year and I didn't realise they were that hard to germinate. What variety have you been trying to grow and where did you buy them ? Also do you store your seed properly ?

djbnat · « **Reply #2 on:** February 01, 2009, 18:19 »

Hi Garddwr
Sorry cannot remember the variety but they are Wilkinsons own brand - I think they are "mixed". The rest of my seeds are also Wilko's and I have no problem with those. Storage should not be an issue as I buy and sow fresh each year (as I use them all up). I really love these flowers and always end up ordering plugs from T&M as my seeds fail.... I would love to be self sufficient with these.
Regards
DJB

sclarke624 · « **Reply #3 on:** February 01, 2009, 18:26 »

ha I can't even get the corms to grow

garddwr · « **Reply #4 on:** February 01, 2009, 21:43 »

Quote from: djbnat on February 01, 2009, 18:19

Hi Garddwr
Sorry cannot remember the variety but they are Wilkinsons own brand - I think they are "mixed". The rest of my seeds are also Wilko's and I have no problem with those. Storage should not be an issue as I buy and sow fresh each year (as I use them all up). I really love these flowers and always end up ordering plugs from T&M as my seeds fail.... I would love to be self sufficient with these.
Regards
DJB

Thats interesting as I have the wilko's ones as well I'll let you know if I have any success with them.

richyrich7 · « **Reply #5 on:** February 01, 2009, 22:07 »

Try watering the compost 1st with a cheshunt solution before sowing the seed.
Sow the seed onto the damp compost and then a quick mist with a water sprayer.

Unless you do it that way of course

And you probably already turn the glass every day to get rid of excess moisture ?

djbnat · « **Reply #6 on:** February 02, 2009, 20:53 »

Richy
Many thanks for that, I have not tried that - the seed is relatively cheap so I will give it a go.
Regards
DJB

richyrich7 · « **Reply #7 on:** February 02, 2009, 20:55 »

Good luck & let us know how you get on.

I do mine that way and get a very good germination rate

garddwr · « **Reply #8 on:** February 02, 2009, 21:42 »

Right ok then I'll try it that way as well. Where do you buy this stuff and how much is it ?

richyrich7 · « **Reply #9 on:** February 02, 2009, 21:52 »

Cheshunt compound ? all it is is a fungicidal solution just to help prevent damping off disease, you could probably do with out to be honest, but I like to be on the safe side.

It's not overly expensive and lasts for ages, you can get it from hardware/garden centres.

yorky · « **Reply #10 on:** February 03, 2009, 18:09 »

Have a look at this site, http://www.nickys-nursery.co.uk/seeds/pages/growing-begonia.htm It looks as if you might need a propagator as the germination temperature looks to be higher than most people can heat a greenhouse to.

djbnat · « **Reply #11 on:** February 04, 2009, 20:06 »

Hi Yorky
Many thanks for the link - really useful. I have recently bought a heated propogator (geranium seed in it at the moment but ready for pricking out) so I will give that a go too. The link also prompted me on the type I have tried, they are Semperflorans. Thanks to everyone for their help
Regards
DJB

Brian_of_Bozeat · « **Reply #12 on:** March 08, 2009, 14:27 »

I am trying some in my heated propogaor for the first time, I'm finally seeing some tiny seedlings but they have taken 3 to 4 weeks! (all the other seeds sown at the same time are ready for pricking out!

So, be patient is my advice...

Growing Bedding Begonia From Seed - A complete guide - hints tips and help ! Started by garddwr on General Gardening	3 Replies 6092 Views	January 21, 2010, 20:00 by richyrich7
My Begonia Started by jimroden on General Gardening	5 Replies 2501 Views	May 07, 2008, 20:24 by Yorkie
begonia Started by wengren on General Gardening	1 Replies 1787 Views	September 01, 2008, 13:08 by Debz
Begonia help. Started by Nadlen on General Gardening	5 Replies 2473 Views	April 22, 2011, 14:54 by Nadlen

Begonia seed - time for battle (again)

djbnat

Begonia seed - time for battle (again)

garddwr

Re: Begonia seed - time for battle (again)

djbnat

Re: Begonia seed - time for battle (again)

sclarke624

Re: Begonia seed - time for battle (again)

garddwr

Re: Begonia seed - time for battle (again)

richyrich7

Re: Begonia seed - time for battle (again)

djbnat

Re: Begonia seed - time for battle (again)

richyrich7

Re: Begonia seed - time for battle (again)

garddwr

Re: Begonia seed - time for battle (again)

richyrich7

Re: Begonia seed - time for battle (again)

yorky

Re: Begonia seed - time for battle (again)

djbnat

Re: Begonia seed - time for battle (again)

Brian_of_Bozeat

Re: Begonia seed - time for battle (again)

Similar Topics

Growing Bedding Begonia From Seed - A complete guide - hints tips and help !

My Begonia

begonia

Begonia help.