Illumination Mix, also known as Begonia x tuberhybrida, is a tuberous-rooted flowering plant native to the Andes. This variety offers a mounded, trailing habit of 18-24" tall and 10-12" wide, with double flowers in a variety of colors cascading all summer. Illumination Mix is well-suited to window boxes, hanging baskets, and combination containers, bringing a deluge of color to the landscape. Shade tolerant and low-maintenance, this Begonia flourishes with little more than regular water. For a Wax Begonia with a compact habit, try Ambassador Mix.
Illumination Mix Selling Tips
Sell Illumination Mix to customers looking for a low-maintenance annual to bring color to a landscape or container. It offers many benefits, including versatility in part or full shade, profuse and long-lasting vibrant flowers, and a cascade of flowers on a trailing habit. Illumination Mix flourishes with minimal water in shade or sun, bringing cheer to window boxes, combinations, and hanging baskets all summer. Create a stunning combination by growing this plant alongside Lamium, Brunnera, Hosta, Alyssum, and Lobelia.
Coach Your Customer
1. Space plants 10-12" apart in well-drained soil in part sun or shade.
2. Be gentle with seedlings, planting them at the same depth as in the original container and taking care not to damage the roots.
3. Water Illumination Mix regularly, once or twice a week, or more often in drought.
4. Fertilize once a month during the growing season with a balanced, all-purpose fertilizer.
5. Remove plants after frost and replace in the spring or store tubers over winter in flats of peat moss in a cool, dry place with temperatures between 40 and 50 degrees.
General Growing Tips For Your Seedling Tray
For best results with Illumination Mix, use one seedling plug per 4-inch or three to five per 10-inch container. Use well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0-6.5, EC of 0.6-0.9 mS/cm (2:1), average daily temperatures of 65-72, and medium feed (150-200 ppm N). Provide light at 4,000-6,000 fc, and don't pinch. This cultivar requires long days to bloom and will respond to Cycocel as needed. Watch for aphids, thrips, powdery mildew, and botrytis.
Flowering
A variety of yellow, orange, red, pink, and white flowers bloom in summer.
Pinching
This plant doesn't require pinching.
Spacing
Space containers to allow for airflow and sunlight penetration around the base and foliage of each plant. Illumination Mix does well with 6-8" between containers; adjust spacing as the plants grow. Proper spacing helps prevent the spread of pests and diseases, encouraging healthy roots and foliage.
Height Control
Illumination Mix will respond to Cycocel at 250-500 ppm if needed. Follow the label's instructions. Provide sufficient light, warm temperatures, and appropriate spacing to prevent plants from becoming leggy and encourage healthy roots and strong starter seedling plugs.
Pests
You may see aphids and thrips. Carefully scout for pests regularly in your greenhouse and implement an Integrated Pest Management plan.
Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects that cause damage by sucking sap from plant tissue. They reproduce quickly. Curling and yellowed leaves, stunted growth, and stickiness on leaves are signs of an infestation. Use biological controls or horticultural oils to discourage and kill aphids.
Thrips are tiny insects that eat plant tissue and can transmit viruses. Watch for silvery-white streaks or black spots on foliage and distorted growth. Use natural predators (like predatory mites), insecticidal soap, neem oil, and sticky traps to control infestations and prevent spread.
Follow label instructions with any insecticides or pest control products.
Disease
Watch for Botrytis and Powdery Mildew with Illumination Mix seedling plugs. Use preventative care and an Integrated Pest Management plan to stop the spread of disease in your greenhouse.
Botrytis is a common fungal disease that causes brown spots on stems, leaves, and flowers. Remove and destroy affected plants, maintain appropriate humidity levels, and apply fungicides with boscalid, fenhexamid, or iprodione to control the spread.
Powdery Mildew is a fungal disease that thrives in humid conditions, appearing as a white or gray coating on foliage and flowers. Provide good airflow in your greenhouse. We recommend using horizontal airflow fans to help control humidity levels, along with a dehumidifier or manual venting. Remove and destroy infected plants and apply fungicides as needed or preventatively. Look for the active ingredients myclobutanil, trifloxystrobin, or potassium bicarbonate to combat Powdery Mildew threatening your seedling plugs.
With any disease, take action at the first sign to prevent irrevocable damage. Carefully follow all label instructions for any fungicide or chemical control in your greenhouse and consider every factor when choosing a treatment option as part of IPM.
Planting Illumination Mix Liners
We recommend planting one seedling plug per 4-inch container, or three to five per 10-inch container. Use well-drained soil and completely bury the ellepot in the center or evenly-spaced in the container.
Rooted Cuttings
Cuttings vary in size between different plant families. These rooted starter plants will arrive ready to be transplanted in to your final container. If they are to be used in a landscape application, you will need to establish them in a 4 inch pot or an 1801 before planting outside.
Begonia Illumination Mix Quick Reference Guide
| 4 Inch crop time | 6-8 Weeks |
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| 10 Inch crop time | 12-14 Weeks |
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| Bloom Period | Summer |
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| Color | Pink, White, Yellow, Orange, Red (Variety) |
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| Habit | Mounding, Trailing |
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| Height | 18-24 Inches |
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| Light | Partial Shade, Partial Sun |
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| Minimum Temp | 60 |
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| Perennial Zone | 10-11 |
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| Water Needs | Moderate |
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| Patented Plant | No |
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