Irradiance and temperature effects on rates of development and morphology in Begonia semperflorens-cultorum

Three developmental phases were defined for Begonia semperflorens-cultorum: phase I--germination, phase II--germination to transplant (3 expanded leaves), phase III--transplant to first flower. Germination of 90 to 93% occurred at temperatures of 18 to 24C. At temperatures greater than 24, germination of 79 to 83% was seen. Begonia did not germinate in the dark. There was no difference in germination between seeds germinated in ambient irradiance conditions and seeds that received 24 hr supplemental irradiance (4.3 mol day...