Begonia

Plant Characteristics
Lifespan:	⌛	perennial
Origin:	✈	?

Cultivation

Exposure:	☼	part-sun, [[Exposure::part-shade best^sn]]
Water:	◍	[[Water::moist soil^sn]]
Sunset Zones:		14-28 except as noted

Scientific Names
Begoniaceae >	Begonia >

Read about Begonia in the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture
BEGONIA (named after Michel Begon, superintendent at St. Domingo, 1638-1710, a French promoter of botany). Beganiacese. Beoonia. Elephant's Ear. Beefsteak Geranium. A various group, ranging from hothouse to conservatory and window-garden subjects, many of them grown primarily for foliage, others for the showy bloom; treated mostly as single pot specimens, but some kinds used for bedding.^CH More or less sappy or succulent herbs or undershrubs, having the st. in some cases reduced to a thick rhizome, in others to a distinct small tuber, while a few others possess a semi-tuber in which there are a number of closely set scales or suppressed Ivs.. resembling bulbs: lvs. variable, alternate, more or less unequal-sided, entire, or lobed, or toothed, ovate-acuminate, orbicular or peltate: fls. monoscious (bisexual variations are known: Dummer; Annals Bot. xxvi. 1123), asymmetrical, usually in axillary cymes, the males usually with 4 parts, of which 2 arc mostly small, the females with 5 (rarely 2), pink, white, rose, scarlet, yellow, and all shades of these, being represented; stamens numerous: filaments free or united at the base; styles 2 or 4, free, sometimes connate; stigmas branched or twisted like a corkscrew; ovary inferior: fr. usually a 1— 3-winged caps., which is often colored; seed numerous, very minute.—The genus Begonia, with 400-500 species in warm countries around the globe, gives the name and definition to the Begoniaceic. Only three other genera are recognized: Hillebrandia, with 1 species in Hawaii; Symbegonia, 1 little-known species in New Guinea; Begoniella, 3 species in Colombia. The begonias are exceedingly variable, the genus running into about 60 well-marked sections, but the inter- gradations are so many and the essential floral characters so constant that it is impracticable to break up the great group into separate genera.^CH The begonia is one of the great groups of cultivated . ornamental plants. Very many species have been introduced, and there are numberless hybrids and variations. The most popular single begonia is now probably the wonderfully floriferous Gloire de Lorraine (Fig. 505). The foliage begonias are of many original kinds, and the numerous hybrids and variations have given great choice to the cultivator. B. Rex is the chief basis of the foliage races. Many cultivators are unaware of the possibilities of the Rex derivatives, because they grow them in pots (for commerce) on benches, whereas the singular and characteristic results are secured by growing them in the earth against greenhouse walk or in rock pockets below the benches.^CH Because of the great numbers of interesting forms, begonias have appealed strongly to collectors and fanciers. In recent years, however, the collections have been passing out in the large private places; and most dealers now carry only a few standard kinds (mostly modified cultivated forms), in addition to the florists' bedding and garden sorts and a general mixed stock of tuberous kinds. The following botanical account, therefore, does not accurately represent the present state of the begonia trade. It is to be regretted that the fanciers' collections are not kept; and it is partly in the hope that the desire for collections will return that this rather full treatment is given of the main species and stem-groups now in cultivation.^CH The foliage begonias of the Rex type are subject to an insidious disorder, affecting the leaves and eventually the entire plant. The remedy seems to be to discard all suspected stock and to propagate from wholly healthy plants, or to' grow them out of it by planting them in a shaded airy greenhouse bench for a summer and potting again in fall.^CH The interest in begonias centers in their use as ornamental subjects. It is said that the stalks of some of the species arc used as the leaf-stalks of rhubarb are used. The rhizomes of many species, particularly those from South America, are bitter and astringent and are employed locally for certain fevers and for syphilis. Some species contain purgative principles.^CH The first begonia was introduced into England in 1777, B. nitida. Since then, about 200 have proved of value to the horticulturist. Few other plants have been improved or varied so rapidly, there being thousands of variations now in cultivation, displaying the most gorgeous colors in their flowers and beautiful coloring in their leaves. The development of the modern race of hybrid tuberous begonias followed the introduction of B. Veitchii, B. rosxflora, B. Davisii, B. bolivi- ensis, B. Pearcei and others after 1860. The geographical distribution of begonias is very disjunctive and localized. They are indigenous to Mexico, Central and South America, Asia, and South Africa. They seem to have no genetic relationship with other plants now living. ^CH The above text is from the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture. It may be out of date, but still contains valuable and interesting information which can be incorporated into the remainder of the article. Click on "Collapse" in the header to hide this text.

Cultivation

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Propagation

Most are easily propagated from either leaf, stem or rhizome cuttings. You can also grow them from the tiny, dust-like seed.

Pests and diseases

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Types

Below is a breakout of begonia varieties by growth habit and care needs^sn.

Hardy begonias

B. grandis (B. evansiana, B. grandis evansiana) is the one species in this group, which is much hardier to cold. Sunset zones 3-33. Tuber. 2-3 ft high. ^sn

Cane-type begonias

Stems are tall and woody, with bamboo-like joints. Includes "angel-wing" begonias. Some reach over 5ft.^sn

B. 'Irene Nuss'

Hiemalis begonias

More often sold as Rieger begonias. Plants are compact and bushy. Blooms profusely. Great indoors or out. Average flower size is 2in.^sn

Multiflora begonias

Bushy plants are 1-1.5 feet and compact. Care is same as for tuberous begonias.^sn

Rex begonias

Leaves are multicolored with bold patterns. Prefer high humidity. Have rhizomes, but are treated separately than rhizomatous begonias. ^sn

Rhizomatous begonias

Mostly grown for foliage, but produce attractive flowers. Group includes "star begonias", named for the shape of their leaves. Good house plants. Enjoy window light, only need water when top inch of soil dries out. Grow in wide, shallow pots. Blooms winter through summer. Flowers are white or pink.^sn

B. masoniana - Iron Cross Begonia.

Semperflorens begonias

Bedding begonias, also known as fibrous begonias. Small plants reach 6-12 inches. Many small flowers. Blooms spring through fall. Foliage green, bronze or red, and may be variegated. Grown in sun in cool climates, shade in very hot climates. Dark leaved varieties can grow in the sun even in hot sunny areas when well watered.^sn

Shrublike begonias

Multiple soft green stems. Both foliage and flowers are attractive. Very interesting leaves may be textured, hairy or feltlike. May be bushy or more trailing. May bloom any time. Red, white, peach or pink flowers. May reach 8 feet. Require ample water.^sn

Trailing or climbing begonias

Depedning on your training, these begonias will trail or climb. Great for hanging baskets. Good in ground where protected. Care is the same as for tuberous begonias. Blooms sporadically when temperatures are warm.^sn

B. solananthera

Tuberous begonias

Florists begonias. Very large bloomed hybrids, grow from tubers. Flowers may reach saucer-size. Some grow upright, others droop and do better in hanging baskets. With few exceptions they bloom in summer and fall. Flowers come in red, orange, yellow, pink, white and some pastels. Prefer filtered shade and moderate humidity. Mist in dry climates. Susceptible to powdery mildew. Leaves will yellow and wilt in fall. When stems fall off on their own, take out tubers, shake off dirt gently, dry under sun for a few days and sore in a cool dry place until spring planting time when small pink buds become visible. Small seedlings and tubers are found for sale in spring at nurseries. Plants are sold as either hanging or upright.^sn

Gallery

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References

Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture, by L. H. Bailey, MacMillan Co., 1963
Sunset National Garden Book. Sunset Books, Inc., 1997. ISBN 0376038608

External links

w:Begonia. Some of the material on this page may be from Wikipedia, under the Creative Commons license.
Begonia QR Code (Size 50, 100, 200, 500)

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