B. ‘Aphrodite series 1’

Culture

Propagation Method

Seed produced, sold as pelleted seed.

Cultural Requirements

http://www.plantpeddler.com/assets/files/Culture%20Sheets/begonia%20culture%202.pdf Suggested crop timing: 3.5" ­ 4.5", 1 ppp, 6 ­ 9 weeks non­pinched 6"­ 6.5", 2 ­ 3 ppp, 9 ­ 12 weeks non­pinched 7"­ 8", 3 ­ 4 ppp, 9 ­ 12 weeks non­pinched 10" & up, 4 ­ 5+ ppp, 10 ­ 14 weeks non­pinched 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

As with all commercial series the individual colors change or are improved on a continual basis. An entire series may disappear if sufficient improvements are made in a new line of genetics and when the company removes a series from the market they also clear as much old information about the series from any web based sources. They do this to avoid confusing their customer, nothing nefarious, but it makes it difficult to see changes in series over time, so this entry is merely a place marker showing the series at this point in time 2015. http://fshs.org/proceedings-o/1974-vol-87/508-512%20(WITTE).pdf http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/floriculture/hort429/Lecture/begonia.pdf http://www.klemsgreenhouse.com/Pages/aphro.aspx

Known In Cultivation

Yes

Original Botanical Description or Link to

http://fshs.org/proceedings-o/1974-vol-87/508-512%20(WITTE).pdf http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/floriculture/hort429/Lecture/begonia.pdf http://www.klemsgreenhouse.com/Pages/aphro.aspx