Spectrum Begonia is a cross between winters flowering wild Begonia Socotrana found in Northeast Tropical Africa on small island of Socotra off Yemen coast in the Indian Ocean and summer begonia flowering Tuberous Begonias'. Spectrum begonia is fibrous root winter flowering begonia. The is man made begonia hybrida genetically engineered in Europe's and grown in the Netherlands as perennial. Spectrum Begonia for year-round blooming unfortunately year around begonia blooming will not be the average U.S. home gardener's experience growing Spectrum Begonia.

Whose Yer Daddy?

Originally I was part of the coastal shelf of Africa I broke free of my fathers bondage in the Tertiary period that was name for the major portion of the Cenozoic era, I don't remember the exact year I know it was between 15 to 66 million years ago when I my three brothers and my sister the Gulf of Aden came to life.

I have been known by many names the Egyptians called me WA-W-AT or "TA-NET-JER" meaning "god's land". I was once called the land of Queen Sheba or Pa’-anch; I was called by the Greeks, Dioskouridou in the 1st century AD and I have been called land of Jinn in ancient Arabic stories. You may know me as the Land of Punt from the Bible, Koran or Torah in 5600 B.C.E. I was commercial center for goods not only within my own borders, but I controlled the entire commerce of Africa with my trade in fish, figs, medicine, dye, frankincense, and myrrh.

I ‘am the prehistoric island of Socotra and I face the Gulf of Aden which runs into the mouth of the Red Sea; I’ am the largest landmass in the Indian Ocean along with my smaller brothers we are four archipelago islands. I ‘am closer to the eastern tip of the Horn of Africa than to Southern Arabia and I was place from the tale of shipwrecked sailor (2200 B.C.E.) lost in WA-W-AT.

I’ am island of legends told by the Greeks who sought the dragon's blood its red sap was bought and sold as a medicine and a dye by seafarers. I no longer control the world as once did; I’ am old and feeble but my children, grandchildren and great grand children, they are Socotran Begonia Elongata, Begonia Socotrana, Begonia Ameero, they strong well known and in great demand.

My famous son was found in the Haggier Mountains by small slight man his name was Isaac Bayley Balfour, I’ am old and sometimes it’s hard for me to remember I think he was Professor of Botany at University of Glasgow on an expedition 1880. My son is the father and is responsible for the production of the first winter flowering begonia hybrids; my son flowers during the monsoon winter rains and his offspring is winter flowering hybrid Begonia x Hiemalis and Begonia x Cheimantha but the truth of the matter their not as handsome or genetically sound as my boy Begonia Soctrana.

Spectrum Begonia grown in the United States should be grown as early spring annual or fall or early winter annual begonia house plants unless you own or have access to greenhouse you will be unable to control outdoor temperatures and Spectrum Begonia has sensitivity to heat; maximum of 23 °C (73 °F) ambient temperatures are ideal growing temperature for Spectrum Begonia.

The Spectrum Begonia is begonia hybrid grown from begonia cuttings rather than from begonia bulbs like the wild Begonia Socotrana; begonia tubers for the Tuberous Begonia or begonia seeds for the Begonia Hiemalis. Spectrum Begonia is distinguished by medium, to small profuse single or double begonia flowers. Spectrum Begonia we grow have been in our engineering offices in two states our Spectrum Begonia experience Joplin, Missouri and Reno, Nevada.

Spectrum Begonias thrives indoors, outdoors in ground the spectrum begonia becomes demanding care of begonia house plant, requiring ample amounts of humidity, inability to tolerate heat and bug ridden. Spectrum Begonia is distinguished by large, medium, to small profuse single or double begonia flowers and Spectrum Begonias cannot tolerate heat they do much better indoor or shaded deck, our office in Missouri has large indoor Atrium where all Spectrum Begonia do well

Spectrum begonia requires humidity, our spectrum begonia  were strong, thriving, beautiful and did wonderfully in the fall and early winter, we cut them back but they didn't come back via reblooming; we purchased new Spectrum Begonia plants in the spring they were strong and thriving until early summer the spectrum begonias in Nevada literally dissolved-what we observed spectrum begonia became heat stressed this begonia plant doesn't wilt in classical since because their stems are brittle they fall over become very mushy and die within 10 days; the spectrum begonias in Missouri are not growing and not blooming they are in summer rest cycle the Missouri office anticipates they will rebloom in the fall. Nevada Rongen Inc. is not trying to dissuade you "au contraire" the Spectrum Begonia is well worth the effort in any geographic location.

Spectrum Begonia Planting & Begonia Care Tips

Spectrum begonia plants could be grown in the garden depending on your geographic location, patio containers, or begonia hanging baskets our preference is indoors; Spectrum Begonias are outstanding in porch boxes and begonia hanging baskets. Spectrum begonia tips and begonia information will help you to provide and support thriving growing environment for spectrum begonias; in cool or wet climates a different strategy will be required consider growing your spectrum begonia on a covered patio or in porch boxes. Spectrum begonia plants perform best when Soilless Begonia Spectrum Recipes soil temperatures 60°F to 65°F; if planting during the fall in ground begonia flowerbeds, provide a maximum of four and half days of sun in other words 12 to 14 hours day-light in southeast Spectrum begonias will not tolerate hot full sun although too much shade will cause the spectrum begonia plant to become soft, mushy, unstable and at the very least less prolific via spectrum begonia, buds and flowering blooms.

Hiemalis, Spectrum, Rieger & Elaitor Begonias Parallel But Different

• Spectrum Begonia: The Hiemalis Begonia it's a begonia house plant hybrid it grows best in an east window. If the Begonia hiemalis turns copper on its foliage indicates the begonia plant is receiving too much light which will cause the begonia hiemalis to die.
  
  
• Spectrum Begonia: The Spectrum Begonia winter flowering begonia, formerly known as Begonia X Elatior, Hybrids of crosses among Begonia Socotrana Hook (winter-flowering) and various Andean Hybrids (large double flowering) creating spectrum begonia.
  
  
• Spectrum Begonia: The Elatior Begonia winter flowering begonia, cross breeding between Begonia Socotrana Hook and Begonia Tuberhybrida 'Viscountess Doneraile'; Difference Elatior Begonia is usually disguarded after flowering.
  
  
• Spectrum Begonia: The Rieger Begonia winter flowering begonia, formerly known as B. x Elatior Hybrids of crosses among Begonia Socotrana Hook (winter-flowering) and Begonia X Tuberhybrida Voss (large double flowering). Plain language the reiger begonias are a hybrid cross between tuberous and wax Begonias with minimum proper care, they will remain in bloom for several months.

Wintering Begonias Spectrum Indoor Begonia Care

Take Spectrum Begonia indoors prior to the first frost in the fall do not repot the spectrum begonia plants. The spectrum can be placed indoors in bright east or southeast window for sunlight and enjoyment well into winter. Growing Begonia Spectrum for indoors, for simple, fast and easy spectrum care, we strongly recommend Secret Free Making Spectrum Begonia Humidity Pebble Tray pebble trays for humidity.

Begonia Spectrum Watering, and Soil

Spectrum begonia require moderately moist soil, but never soggy wet conditions. Primary use of water is transportation of nutrients from the begonia fibrous roots; majority of water evaporates from begonia spectrum plants foliage this process referred to as transpiration.

Spectrum Begonia potting mixes should be designed for container use, we recommend for in ground planting include ample amounts coir or peat moss with perlite for proper drainage; allow the topsoil surface to become slightly dry between through watering's. When it's time to water you will notice the coir or peat moss topsoil surface will change color from dark color to much lighter color and the topsoil surface will feel powdery to the touch.

Spectrum Begonia Color & Begonia Varieties if you are planting spectrum begonia in begonia garden beds, consider incorporating generous amounts of coir, peat moss or clean compost and perlite for porous fast draining begonia soil medium. Heavy clay soils are particularly difficult for begonias of all types; amending soil will make them begonia friendly, and provides outstanding results. Spectrums double begonia flowers are self-cleaning, and will dry-up and blow away after they are spent however indoors you will need to remove them use thin nosed scissors pinching them off can cause accidental stem breakage.

God And 16 Nutrients

Spectrum Begonias are moderate in their demands for Macro & Micro nutrients. A balanced liquid fertilizer and Bio stimulants use half of the label recommended rate this will keep spectrum begonias healthy and colorful. Fertilizer is not food for begonia plants; All plants make their own food through process called photosynthesis, begonia plants utilizes light from sun this creates sugars from carbon dioxide and water.

Healthy, Spectrum Begonias require sixteen basic nutrients these are essential for their ability to live, the sixteen elements are the same for all living plants when Spectrum Begonia begonia plant is deprived of any of the sixteen, the begonia will die and this is why you provide fertilizers and bio-stimulants. Three of the sixteen is Carbon, Hydrogen, and Oxygen those elements are freely obtained from water and air are usually available to the spectrum begonia. Fertilizers contain varying amounts of Macro-nutrients, which are the numbers you see on the box or bottle and Bio Stimulants contain Micro Nutrients. What’s the difference between the two you ask? Well that's easy to answer,fertilizers generally contain large amounts of the Macro Nutrients, with very little Micro Nutrients, while Bio-Stimulants, Micro-Nutrients contain very little Macro-Nutrients, further Micro-Nutrients also have a beneficial fungi known as Mycorhizae. This fungi works in a symbiotic relationship with the begonia fibrous root system, the fungus helps by drawing in moisture and nutrients for the begonia and in return the begonia feeds fungus carbohydrates. The remaining thirteen nutrients come through the root system and are divided into three groups, based on the numerical amounts of the different nutrients.

First Group Of Nutrients Are: The numbers are represented (in this order) Nitrogen (N) is always the first item listed Nitrogen promotes green leafy growth and excess nitrogen in the soil can cause excessive vegetative foliage growth of the begonia plant and at the expense of begonia flowers bud development. The second number is Phosphorus (P), New or young begonia require extra phosphorus this encourage good root development. Apply recommended amount for begonia plants per label directions in the soil at time of planting or during the first growing season. The third number is Potassium (K), Potassium is used by the begonia plant to support most of the enzymatic functions of the plant. It increases vigor and resistance to disease, stimulates production of strong stems and improves quality of the overall begonia health these are 3 elements are called Macro-Nutrients.

Second Group Of Nutrients Are: The secondary nutrients are calcium, magnesium, and sulfur, are used in greater quantity and deficiencies are more common. Third Group Of Nutrients Are: Nutrients used in very small amounts are called Micro-Nutrients or trace elements. They include boron, chlorine, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum, and zinc. Begonia growers tend to focus on these macro-nutrients, because of the great quantity used however all nutrients are equally important to begonias health and the ability to grow and bloom.

Discover Why Spacing Required B. Spectrum

Spacing spectrum begonia grows to the height of 12" to 14" and should be spaced from 10" to 12" apart for in ground begonia plants. Spectrum begonia placed closer will produce taller spectrum begonia plants with fewer if any begonia blooms and diseases air circulation, remember you are growing begonia flowers not begonia foliage.

• Spacing: Avoid crowding Spectrum Begonia, (Begonia) Diseases, Begonia Environmental Factors, Begonia Problems and Begonia Cures spectrum begonia and begonia propagation recommended final spacing when purchasing 4",5" and 6" potted spectrum begonia. Pinching: will be necessary on single-stem begonia plants to allow the begonia plant to break along the main stem with new shoots Growing Humidity Begonias emerging at the begonia leaf axis. Pinching helps shape the begonia plant and provides additional begonia flowering shoots and pinch approximately two weeks after transplanting.
  
  
• planting 4" pot [ 6" deep by 6" wide ]
  
  
• planting 5" pot [ 9" deep by 9" wide ]
  
  
• planting 6" pot [ 11" deep by 11" wide ]

Time Consuming Hiemalis Begonia Insects and Diseases

Damaging pest are slugs and snails Spectrum Begonia Simple Pest Cure if these are a problem in your area, keep bait stations well stocked. Spectrum begonias can become infected with powdery mildew in very moist, humid area or it you have splash water on leaves and blooms Milk Cures Powdery Mildew. When this happens, it is an indicator that plants should be in a location with better air circulation, or slightly more sun Control can be achieved by using milk or rose and flower fungicide designed for mildew control. Extreme cold temperatures and frost will kill spectrum begonias delay planting until frost conditions have passed.