WHEN TO SOW
February to April.
WHERE TO SOW
Sow seeds thinly in a good compost in pots or trays under glass at 16°C. Cover lightly with sifted compost.
WHAT TO DO NEXT
When the seedlings are large enough to handle, prick off into trays 5cm apart. As seedlings grow, transplant into 9cm pots and gradually harden off before planting out in the flowering site from late May onwards. Space plants 60cm apart.
MATURITY
July onwards.
HANDY TIP
These large plants with their succulent stems and large leaf areas need regular watering during the summer.
FLOWER SEED SOWING TECHNIQUE
HALF
HARDY PERENNIAL
BUT TREAT AS HALF
HARDY ANNUAL
Use seed trays or plastic modules and a good seedling compost, preferably using a peat substitute. For small sowings standard pots can be used.
Firm the compost lightly and moisten before sowing. Very fine seeds, like Begonia (where there are more than 60,000 seeds to a gram) should be mixed with dry horticultural sand to avoid one big clump of seed, and to help see where the seed has been sown.
As a general rule, the depth of sowing depends on the size of the seed. Aim to cover the seed with compost or vermiculite to the same depth as the size of the seed. Very fine seed need not be covered at all.
Sow thinly and cover the tray with a sheet of glass with paper on top. Wipe the glass every day and inspect the tray for signs of germination. Sowings in pots can be enclosed in a polythene bag for the same effect.
As soon as seedlings break the surface, remove the glass and paper or polythene bag. If left under glass they will become leggy and weak. Keep moist with a fine spray.
When the first set of true leaves (not the seedling leaves) have formed they should be pricked off into trays, setting the seedlings about 4-5cm (1 1/2-2") apart. Always handle by the leaves and not the stem and use a fork or knife blade to ease them out of the compost. Keep in the shade for a couple of days after pricking off.
Gradually harden the plants by increasing ventilation and moving the trays into a cold frame and finally outside for 7 days before transplanting into the flowering site.