Growing Cocktail Series Fibrous Begonia Garden Seeds

Cocktail Series begonia seeds are generally not sown directly in the garden and are best started indoors 6-8 weeks prior to the final frost and then transplanted to a partially shaded place either indoors or out. Begonia seeds may take 21-28 days to germinate with full lighting. Lightly press without covering 3-4 Cocktail Series begonia seeds 10 inches apart in moderately fertile, moist, and well-drained soil in partial shade to full shade. Cocktail Series fibrous begonia is susceptible to bacterial leaf spot, crown and stem rot, blight, and powdery mildew if grown in overly saturated and poorly drained soil. Plants are somewhat tolerant to drought because of their waxy leaves. Begonia has no serious pests, but monitor regularly for mealy bugs and thrips. Cocktail Series begonia seeds mature in 91-98 days as 8-12 inch tall dwarfed mounds with a 10-12 inch spread of waxy leaves and dozens of 1 inch blooms.

Begonia x semperflorens is one of about 1,800 species of begonia native to the humid and shady tropics of South America. The genus begonia is the absolute largest and most diverse genus in all of the world, and has since been naturalized throughout most of the world's tropics. At the time of classification, French botanists chose the name begonia in homage to 17th century French governor of Haiti, Michel Begon.