Fact Sheet

Introduction

NEW RELEASE - SPRING 2011

Begonia BONFIRE® Choc Red has an eye-catching profusion of exotic bright red/orange flowers covering up to half of the plant. BONFIRE Choc Red differs from Bonfire with its interesting chocolate / plum foliage with serrated edges highlighted by a red margin, and a neat, bushy growth habit.

Quickly coming into bloom in late Spring, it continues to shower you with bright red/orange blooms contrasting nicely against its dark foliage from Spring, then all Summer long, and right up until late Fall.

Low maintenance, easy-care, BONFIRE® Choc Red can be grown in full sun or partial shade and is not afraid of summer rains or drier summer conditions. It is ideal where masses of color are required with little or no care.

Key Features

Stunning profusion of bright flowers
Great Chocolate / Plum foliage
Drought tolerant and heat hardy
Sensational in patio pots and hanging baskets
Same great growth habit as the original Bonfire
Low maintenance and easy care

Suggested Uses

Patio pots and hanging baskets. Also garden landscapes.

Growth Habit

Rounded profile, up to 20 inches wide as a garden plant or in a larger hanging basket.

Flower Size

2 inches long x 2 inches wide.

Mature Height

Garden height up to 20 inches.

Mature Width

Garden width up to 20 inches.

Spacing

Space 20 inches apart.

Hardiness

Tolerates mild frost in the garden.

Flowering Period

Flowers form from Spring through to Summer, until frost.

Number Of Flowers

Up to 50% of the bush can be covered.

Flower Color

Bright red / orange flowers.

Fragrance

No fragrance.

Pruning/Pinching

Branches naturally, but will benefit from pinching to induce side branches and more compact spreading growth.

Temperature

Recommended day temperature 72°F with night temperature of 64°F. Higher temperatures will reduce flower size and intensity of color. To increase flower size and intensity of flower color, once the buds are formed finish plants at 57°F to 61°F. Lower or higher temperatures will result in less than ideal plant formation. Temperatures higher than 79°F will increase plant size and reduce flower size.

Light Needs

Grows in full sun to partial shade. In heavy shade, may spread producing lower growth, and fewer larger sized flowers.

Soil Needs

Performs bests in a well drained friable soil or good quality potting mix.

Water Needs

Keep moist through the growing season.

Fertilizer

Use a flower booster controlled release fertilizer in Spring.

Disease Tolerance

If grown in heavy wet soils or over watered, stems can rot from fungal diseases.

Pest Issues

Generally not damaged by pests, though white fly may cause some damage.

Special Care

Will benefit from digging and dividing every three years to remove old tubers and reinvigorate the plant.

Varietal/Cultivar Name

Nzcfour