Begonia Nonstop Mocca Red Seedling Tray

For best results with Nonstop Mocca Red, use one seedling plug per 4-inch or three to five per 10-inch container. Use well-drained soil with a pH of 5.5-6.5, EC of 0.6-0.9 mS/cm (2:1), average daily temperatures of 68-72, and medium feed (150-200 ppm N) with a well-balanced fertilizer. Provide light at 4,000-6,000 fc, and don't pinch or use PGRs. This cultivar requires long days (14+ hours) to bloom. Watch for aphids, thrips, powdery mildew, and botrytis.

Red flowers bloom from spring until frost.

This plant doesn't require pinching.

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

We don't recommend using PGRs with this Begonia variety. 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 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.

Watch for Botrytis and Powdery Mildew with Nonstop Mocca 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.

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.

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.