# Rosecroft Begonia Cardens, Point Loma, California # 
BEGONIA CULTURAL DIRECTIONS 
Arranged by Alfred D. Robinson 
SOIL 
LEAF MOLD is the best foundation for Begonia com¬ 
post, this should be well rotted not merely dried leaves, 
and be used, except for seed, in a rather coarse condition; 
to half of this, add one-quarter sandy loam, one-quarter 
cow manure, with a sprinkling of balanced commercial 
fertilizer such as Nitrophoska and fine charcoal. Begonias 
will grow in many kinds of soil but experience has proven 
this mixture. 
Do not use any material that has even a suspicion of 
alkali, nor soil that has been persistently irrigated. Be¬ 
gonias like an acid soil. 
WATER 
For Begonias there is no real substitute for RAIN 
WATER. It is essential to have a soft water, especially 
for seed. 
SEED SOWINC AND CARE OF SEEDLINCS 
Seed of Tuberous should be planted early in the year, 
though good results are possible with May sowing. Other 
sorts at any time, depending on the facilities for care. 
We have found leaf mold the best soil for seed. Sift 
this through a medium fine screen using the coarser part 
on the bottom of a shallow seed pan, place the fine ma¬ 
terial on top of this, thoroughly soak with boiling water. 
When cool, firm and level, spread the seed, mixed with 
ten times its bulk of fine dry soil, evenly over the surface. 
Cover the pan with a sheet of glass and keep in the 
dark at a temperature around 65 Fahr, till the seed 
sprouts when it must be gradually brought to the light, 
but never full sunlight. 
As soon as seedlings have rooted firmly enough not 
to be disturbed by it, use a fine spray instead of soaking. 
A spray for applying insecticides is good. 
After watering sprinkle a little fine dry soil over sur¬ 
face to cover roots of seedlings. 
When large enough to handle prick out in similar soil 
and water as before. 
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