hi i have just started a collection of rex/cane begonias
any advice for the best compost to grow would be helpful
i am growing them in african violet compost seems to like it but just read pine bark/pumice 50-50 is good
just starting to grow them also got very large collection streptocarpus
regards plant girl janet
best compost rex/cane begonia
Re: best compost rex/cane begonia
Hi Plant Girl,
I grow my Rex/ Foliar Begonias, in Blackmore and Langdon, Bulrush compost. If you can't visit B & L; a good substitute, is Asda's own brand, that is made by Bullrush.
Cuttings are easy to take in it too. They are grown on in 3,5 inch square pots in the compost, until a good root system develops. Rex/ Cane, like a restricted root system.
Final potting, place x three, Rex cuttings- at 12 o clock, twenty two and twenty past, grown in three inch pots, into a seven/ eight inch shallow pot ( bulb pots are ideal).
The final pot mix I use, is × 3 to 1 mix- Bullrush / JI2, plus 6 to 9 months, Miracle Grow, slow release.
Importantly, place pot onto a large pot plant saucer, with grit in. This gives humidity, that foliage begonias like. I also keep a hand sprayer of water, that I spray foliage with, particularly, during hot weather.
Foliage begonias, don’t like direct sunlight, preferring shade. Turn pots daily. I mark the edge of the pot, with a felt pot dot, thus know when pot has been turned fully.
To get the best out of your pots, spray with Maxicrop, plant Invigorator once a week. Feed weekly too, with Chempak 2, high Nitrogen.
Foliage, can become limp, when feeding with a Nitrogen feed, to correct this, feed with Chempak 4, high Potash feed to correct, this will stiffen the leaves.
Hope that helps?
I grow my Rex/ Foliar Begonias, in Blackmore and Langdon, Bulrush compost. If you can't visit B & L; a good substitute, is Asda's own brand, that is made by Bullrush.
Cuttings are easy to take in it too. They are grown on in 3,5 inch square pots in the compost, until a good root system develops. Rex/ Cane, like a restricted root system.
Final potting, place x three, Rex cuttings- at 12 o clock, twenty two and twenty past, grown in three inch pots, into a seven/ eight inch shallow pot ( bulb pots are ideal).
The final pot mix I use, is × 3 to 1 mix- Bullrush / JI2, plus 6 to 9 months, Miracle Grow, slow release.
Importantly, place pot onto a large pot plant saucer, with grit in. This gives humidity, that foliage begonias like. I also keep a hand sprayer of water, that I spray foliage with, particularly, during hot weather.
Foliage begonias, don’t like direct sunlight, preferring shade. Turn pots daily. I mark the edge of the pot, with a felt pot dot, thus know when pot has been turned fully.
To get the best out of your pots, spray with Maxicrop, plant Invigorator once a week. Feed weekly too, with Chempak 2, high Nitrogen.
Foliage, can become limp, when feeding with a Nitrogen feed, to correct this, feed with Chempak 4, high Potash feed to correct, this will stiffen the leaves.
Hope that helps?