


Seedling Plants .. . Commercially all tu- 
berous begonias are produced annually from 
seed. Seed sown during January and Febru- 
ary will produce flowering plants, from July 
on, and a tuber upon maturing in December. 
From then on the tuber, each year, grows in 
size forming a larger and larger plant. For the 
benefit of those who have no facilities or time 
for starting tubers, or for growing begonias 
from seed, we offer seedling plants of all types 
and colors listed on pages 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 
and 12. 
These seedlings are twice transplanted and 
hardened off before shipping so that upon ar- 
rival they can be planted directly outdoors in 
a permanent location. The shipping season 
begins May 15 and ends June 15. Later plant- 
ings would not bring sufficiently large plants to 
give enough flowers the same season. Plants 
that are planted in May and early June will 
begin to bloom by the end of July and reach 
their height of flowering season during August- 
September and continuing on into November. 
Regions with warm summers and long cool 
autumns, such as most parts of California, will 
get better results from seedlings than from 
tubers. Tubers start blooming earlier and the 
flowers often burn during the hot summer 
months. If one desires a long season of flower- 
ing, tubers can be planted for early bloom and 
seedlings for continuing the season until the 
end of autumn. For bedding purposes seed- 
lings are preferable as they grow uniformly 
and form a mass of color. 
Seedlings are shipped successfully to all 
parts of the United States but we guarantee 
safe delivery only on the Pacific Coast and 
cannot be responsible for shipments east of 
the Rocky Mountains. 
CULTURE OF TUBEROUS BEGONIAS 
Seed... Sow from January to March. Place 
one or two inches of gravel in flats or seed 
pans, to insure good drainage, over which 
place a fairly coarse mixture of two-thirds 
leaf mold and one-third peat, about one inch 
deep. Smooth the surface with the same mix- 
ture, finely sifted, not more than one-eighth 
inch deep but do not press it down. It is neces- 
sary for the surface to be of a spongy char- 
acter, so that when the seed germinates, the 
young roots can get into it. If surface is too 
fine and packed, the seedlings will often fall 
over, as the young roots are unable to get 
in... Place the pans in shallow water until 
thoroughly soaked up from below, then broad- 
cast the seed. Cover with glass and a sheet of 
paper or keep it in the dark until germination 
takes place. Night temperature of 65 to 75 
degrees Fahrenheit is necessary for quick 
germination. Lower temperature than 65 de- 
grees will considerably slow up germination, 
with poorer results ... As soon as germination 
takes place, take the paper off and in three or 
four days lift the glass also, otherwise the 
little seedlings will get too spindly.Warm tem- 
perature, protection from direct sunlight, and 
uniform moisture, are absolutely necessary. 
Even a slight drying out of the surface will be 
fatal to the delicate young plants. Very gentle 
overhead watering should be used when neces- 
sary ... Dampening off will occur only if flats 
are kept too wet in greenhouse without proper 
ventilation. Watering with a weak solution of 
Clorox, about 2 to 4 per cent, we found as best 
cure and preventive. 
Transplanting ... When the third leaves 
are developed, transplant one inch apart in 
flats containing the same mixture as for sow- 
ing. No finely-sifted surface is necessary any 
more. Do not put more than one to one and 
one-half inches deep of soil in your flats. Deep 
flats filled with several inches of soil are not 
necessary. Usually they do not drain well, soil 
will get sour, and checking of the growth will 
be the result. Before they get too crowded, 
transplant in the same manner again farther 
apart, until strong enough to be planted out in 
the open or, if desired, potted up. If planting 
in open ground, enrich the soil liberally with 
well-rotted cow or sheep manure and a sprin- 
kling of bone meal. If soil is heavy, add plenty 
of either leaf mold, peat or sand or a mixture 
of all, so that the ground will be light and 
porous. Plant in a shaded position, such as 
under the trees or north side of the house, 
where direct sunlight cannot reach them. Keep 
well watered; fine, overhead sprinkling pre- 
ferred. 
Digging and Storage .. . In autumn, 
when the foliage turns yellow, withdraw the 
water gradually and when all growth dies 
down entirely, take out, wash off all soil, tak- 
ing care not to bruise the tubers, dry in sun- 
light for a day or two until thoroughly dry; 
then store in open flats in cool, dry place. See 
that all particles of the old stem are removed 
until healthy tissue shows; otherwise, if left 
on, they will decay and destroy the tuber. 
