RESPONSE OF SIX BEGONIA SPECIES TO DIFFERENT SHADING LEVELS

The Ornamental Plant Germplasm Center (OPGC) conserves plants of B. albopicta, B. cucullata var. cucullata, B. echinosepala var. elongatifolia, B. holtonis, B. foliosa var. miniata, and B. ‘Fuchsifoliosa’ (B. fuchsioides × B. foliosa); however, there is limited cultural information for these begonia species in general. Specifically, there is inadequate information about the effect of different light intensities for greenhouse production on begonia species (not cultivated hybrids). The objective of this study was to determine the optimal shading level for maximum plant growth in order to improve the quality and productivity of begonia species. Plants of six begonia species were grown either under full sun or under shade-cloth shelters (resembling square tents) that provided three levels of shade (41, 62, and 76% of full sunlight in the glass greenhouse). In this study, the 62% shading was found optimal for begonia plant growth.