IR 
PLANTING OUTDOORS. When all danger of frost is 
past the well established plants should be removed from 
pot or flat (disturbing the roots as little as possible) and 
planted directly into a permanent bed for the summer; 
or into window boxes and hanging baskets if the pendulous 
types are being used. 
Keep in mind there is a front to all Begonia plants, indicat- 
ed by the leaves which always point forward. So face 
accordingly, otherwise flowers may all open to the rear. 
LOCATION. All types (except Mulliflora) require almost 
complete shade. Open shade is best, so do not plant under 
trees with low hanging branches. Area should be protected 
from strong drying winds. 
A few hours of early morning sun will not be harmful, but 
the hot afternoon sun at any stage is very detrimental. 
Multiflora Begonias will tolerate as much as a full morning 
of sun. 
SOIL. Should be well drained, thoroughly and deeply 
spaded and worked. Prepare with generous quantities of 
peat moss, coarse sand, and well rotted manure. An ideal 
soil is composed of about 50% humus. 
A few weeks before planting time apply a well balanced 
commercial fertilizer, plus Superphosphate, at the rate 
of 4 lbs. per 100 square feet, and work in well. 
GENERAL OUTDOOR CARE. Require constant and 
plentiful moisture and regular feeding. While they will 
produce fair results under normal garden conditions, they 
will produce spectacular results if careful attention is 
given to feeding and watering. 
Water very regularly and deeply (be sure drainage is good), 
and never permit soil to completely dry out. Judgment 
will have to be used, however, as soil should not become 
water-logged. 
During warm weather spray foliage of plants a couple of 
times a day with a gentle spray. During exceptionally hot 
weather spray more frequently. 
FEEDING. Regularly every two weeks with a well 
balanced liquid fertilizer (Ra-Pid-Gro). 
As Tuberous Begonias are shallow rooting, mulch surface 
of soil with 1 or 2 inches of Peat Moss or Buckwheat hulls 
(Mul-Tex). This will conserve moisture and keep soil cool, 
as well as protect surface roots. 
WINTER CARE. A short while before danger of freezing 
in the fall, as flower production declines, withhold water 
gradually and permit foliage to ripen and yellow. Then 
dig entire plant retaining most of the roots. Store in a cool 
room until the soil and fleshly tuber has dried well (a 
month or more). 
When stalk will easily part from top of tuber, remove it 
and clean tuber carefully of all adhering soil. Store in dry 
sand or Buckwheat Hulls (Mul-Tex) in a temperature 
between 35 and 50 degrees. 
SPECIAL NOTE. For a very thorough and complete 
discussion of Tuberous Begonias and their care we recom- 
mend without reservation the new book TUBEROUS 
BEGONIAS by Worth Brown. Available through us for 
$2.75, as listed in our catalog. 
BESSERA 
Of very simple culture, needing only light well drained 
soil, and a sunny location. Plant in late spring, setting 
the bulbs about 1)4 to 2 inches deep. In fall before the 
first freeze dig bulbs, dry for a short period, and store in a 
cool dry room. 
‘Page 25 
CHILDANTHUS 
Prefers a good rich garden loam in a very sunny situation. 
Prepare the soil well by digging deeply and thoroughly. 
If not light and porous work in a quantity of sharp sand 
and humus. 
As the bulbs sprout early, plant just as soon as ground 
begins to warm in the spring. Cover to a depth of 3 inches. 
Keep well watered during dry spells. 
This beautiful plant is completely hardy in the deep south 
and other allied regions. Very recommendable for pot 
culture in a sunny greenhouse. 
EUCHARIS 
A very popular greenhouse and pot plant. Occasionally 
grown outdoors in California and Southern Florida. Of 
great beauty, and deliciously fragrant. Free-flowering. 
PLANTING. Set same depth as diameter of bulb. Three 
Bulbs may be placed in a 6 to 8 inch pot, or 1 bulb to a 
4 to 5 inch pot. Plant as soon as received. 
SOIL. Should be course and fibrous. The best mixture is 
well rotted sod with about 14 old dry cow manure, and a 
sprinkling of Superphosphate. Add enough sand to keep 
the mixture porous. 
FEEDING. Start after foliage becomes well developed 
and continue every few weeks until flowers begin to open. 
Then withhold food until flowering period is over. When 
flowers are finished and flower stalks are removed a new 
set of leaves will begin pushing up. Feed until these leaves 
are fully developed. 
TEMPERATURE. Eucharis is essentially a warm house 
plant. During the active growing season it should have a 
minimum night temperature of 65 to 70 degrees. During 
the day it may be kept as hot as 80 or 85 degrees; but give 
light shade during the middle of the day in summer. 
GENERAL CARE. Requires large quantities of water 
during growing season. Dry off during the dormant season 
but never so much that foliage disappears. This would 
greatly weaken the bulb. Reacts very unfavorably to 
disturbance, so repotting should be done only when neces- 
sary. 
SPECIAL NOTES. Propagation is by offsets—but bear 
in mind the plants do not like disturbing, and require con- 
siderable time to recover from the process of separating 
offsets or dividing. Spring is the best time to perform this 
operation. 
{f you wish, you can follow the same growth and blooming 
cycle of Amaryllis—rest period in the winter, bloom in 
late spring or summer, etc. However, if bulbs are strong 
and healthy they can be made to bloom several times each 
season without detrimental effect. Directions are as 
follows :— 
When leaves have fully matured cease watering until signs 
of flagging foliage are noticed. Water thoroughly and per- 
mit foliage to freshen. Then withhold water again. Keep 
up this alternate treatment for about a month, during 
which time the minimum night temperature can be about 
5 degrees lower. 
Start plants into full growth again by thorough soaking 
and raise temperature to not less than 65 degrees at night. 
Start feeding regularly as mentioned previously and 
continue same cycle. 
