Begonia Babywing Red Seedling Tray

For best results with Babywing Red, use one seedling plug per 4-inch container, one or two per 6-inch, or three to four per 10-inch. Use well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0-6.5, EC of 0.9-1.3 mS/cm (2:1), temperatures of 65-70 daytime and 60-65 nighttime, and light feed (100-175 ppm) alternating between a 15-0-15 and 20-10-20 fertilizer. Provide light at 3,500-4,500 fc and don't pinch or use PGRs. This cultivar is day-neutral. Avoid any contact with Bonzi or Sumagic, even from spraying other plants. Watch for fungus gnats, shore flies, and botrytis. 

Red flowers bloom from spring through summer. 

This plant doesn't require pinching.

Space containers to allow for airflow and sunlight penetration around the base and foliage of each plant. Babywing Red 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. 

Don't use PGRs with Babywing Red. Paclobutrazol, even in a tiny quantity, can damage plants irrevocably. Instead, provide sufficient light, warm temperatures, and appropriate spacing to prevent plants from becoming leggy and encourage healthy roots and strong starter seedling plugs.

You may see fungus gnats and shore flies. Carefully scout for pests regularly in your greenhouse and implement an Integrated Pest Management plan.

Fungus Gnats are small, dark flies that lay eggs in damp soil where larvae feed on plant roots, causing damage and death. Watch for adult gnats flying around the plants and check for larvae in the soil. Prevent infestations by allowing the soil to dry between waterings and controlling humidity in the greenhouse. Fungus Gnats thrive in moist conditions. Catch adult gnats with sticky traps to prevent them from laying eggs. Use beneficial nematodes or apply Bacillus thuringiensis. 

Shore Flies are small black flies attracted to algae and organic matter. Watch for adult flies around plants and larvae in the soil. Sanitize surfaces and prevent algae growth in your greenhouse. Remove any extraneous organic matter, use sticky traps to catch adult flies, and use beneficial nematodes to kill larvae. 

Follow label instructions with any insecticides or pest control products.

Watch for Botrytis with Babywing Red 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.

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.

We recommend planting one seedling plug per 4-inch, one or two per 6-inch, or three to four per 10-inch container. Use well-drained soil and completely bury the ellepot in the center of the container.