B. ‘Whopper’ series’

Culture

Propagation Method

seed either raw or pelleted

Cultural Requirements

Germination*:Begonias require light to germinate, do not cover seed or pellets. Germination occurs in 5-10 days at 73-80 °F (23-26 °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. Growing On:6-7 weeks after sowing transplant 1 plug into 12-13 cm pot (12 cm: 35-40 pots/m2, 13 cm: 30-35 pots/m2). The plugs should have 2-3 sets of true leaves. High light conditions promote better branching and earlier flowering. Media:Sowing media: pH 5.5-5.8; EC 0.5-0.75 No covering required. Growing on: pH 5.5-5.8; EC 1.2-1.5 Alternate between moisture levels wet and medium. Let plants dry back to at least a moist before re saturating to a wet. Extremely dry plants will have a grayish cast to the leaves. Avoid watering plants under high temperature and light when the leaf temperature is excessive. Temperature:Plug culture: Temperature: 22-24 °C days 1-11. For irrigation use warm water (above 18 °C) only. Growing on: 20-21 °C nights, 18-19 °C days for the first 14 days or until the roots reach the bottom of the container. Thereafter temperatures may be lowered to 16-18 °C day and night. An ADT (average daily temperature) of 19 °C will give the fastest finished crop. Once well established in the final container, approximately two to three weeks after transplanting from a 288 plug the temperature can be lowered further to 13-15 °C. This will keep the plants toned and prevents too large of leaves. Fertilization:Moderate fertilization levels are required. Fertilize at 150 ppm nitrogen weekly, watching excessive salt built-ups.

Comments

Whopper is a sister line of the same breeding that developed the BIG and Surefire series of Begonias, all bred by Benary seed and then named for the outlet they go through to garden centers. All are called Begonia x benariensis. 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.

Known In Cultivation

Yes

Original Botanical Description or Link to

http://www.ballseed.com/PlantInfo/?phid=009206320008908