Begonias

[edbrown_III]

Anybody out there grow Begonias ? what are good ones to grow in Florida any good varieties for North Florida ?

Best regards

Ed

[palmmermaid]

I grow begonias with mixed results. It is all about location, soil, and water - but isn't it always! B. nelumbifolia has huge leaves and does well in very bright light. I have seen them in almost full sun. I find the canes do very well for me. I lost several as a result of the standing water in my garden - it was there for 10 days. We can't really grow any of the rex types here in south Florida - they just melt in our summers. You might try them up there.

I make a mix of composted horse manure and peat to mix in with the soil. They seem to like that. They also want to be consistently moist - not wet, not dry. Easy to propagate from leaves or rhizomes.

Greg Sytch is a member of this forum. If he is checking, he is the man to ask about begonias.

[edbrown_III]

much obliged

Best regards

Ed

[Cindy Adair]

I know nothing about growing begonias anywhere in Florida, but these folks in Miami do. http://palmhammockorchidest.tripod.com/master.html I've visited several times and begonias seem to be their focus, although they have many other interesting plants and lovely display gardens. They advertise in Fairchild Garden's magazine which is where I found out about them. I try to support businesses who help support Botanical Gardens when I can.

[Kailua_Krish]

I visited Palm Hammock and although they were very nice they didnt have any advice about cold tolerant begonias. Im watching this thread hoping for any hints!

-Krishna

[palmmermaid]

Contact Greg Sytch on this board. He can help or tell you who can.

[gsytch]

And here I am. Check out my blog.... http://planetbegonia.blogspot.com I've grown them for years and years, in the yard, in pots, in my shade/green houses etc they thrive here, all kinds. The basic requirement is a well drained potting mix that is light. Rhizomatous require quite a bit of shade althought they adapt to some sun, while canes adapt to sun better. My issue is that hurricane Jeanne blew over my shade in 04 and getting shade back takes time. I grow 150-200 varieties, some better than others! IMA

[epiphyte]

I have only recently started to explore begonias...but my favorite is easily Begonia boliviensis. Here it is blooming around two stories high up on my tree...

Begonia boliviensis growing Epiphytically by epiphyte78, on Flickr

It's kind of hard to tell but I used coco basket liner to create a "pocket" for it. I'm pretty sure I stuffed the pocket with New Zealand sphagnum...but I could have used pretty much any well drained medium.

Boliviensis blooms all summer long. In terms of water...during the hottest days it will start to wilt after around 3 days without water. It's deciduous...so right about this time of year it's seriously considering the merit of discarding its foliage.

Not sure how happy it would be in Florida though.

[gsytch]

B. boliviensis does not grow here. Our wet, humid summers rot it out. I envy your plant. It is actually dormant, and there is a bulb (s) under just waiting for next spring. Nice job!

[aussiearoids]

One of the few begonias I grow .. lined up a few different cane types .

[epiphyte]

B. boliviensis does not grow here. Our wet, humid summers rot it out. I envy your plant. It is actually dormant, and there is a bulb (s) under just waiting for next spring. Nice job!

Thanks. I rotted one out too...but it was growing in a hanging pot with insufficient drainage. If you get a chance...you might attach one to a tree for the heck of it. Imagine how awesome it would look growing on this Quercus virginiana.

[Pedro 65]

I have only recently started to explore begonias...but my favorite is easily Begonia boliviensis. Here it is blooming around two stories high up on my tree...

Begonia boliviensis growing Epiphytically by epiphyte78, on Flickr

It's kind of hard to tell but I used coco basket liner to create a "pocket" for it. I'm pretty sure I stuffed the pocket with New Zealand sphagnum...but I could have used pretty much any well drained medium.

Boliviensis blooms all summer long. In terms of water...during the hottest days it will start to wilt after around 3 days without water. It's deciduous...so right about this time of year it's seriously considering the merit of discarding its foliage.

Not sure how happy it would be in Florida though.

Thanks Epiphyte, Im now on the"chase" for this Begonia boliviensis. Pete

[gsytch]

It comes in several cultivars with 'Bonfire' being the latest, greatest. If you hit B. boliviensis Bonfire, you will see it is probably available come spring.

[gsytch]

That is Begonia brevirimosa. If you Google it and hit images, you will see it. It prefers warmth and humidity, and I must say, rarely seen growing in the open. Here are a few I grow. Easily.http://planetbegonia.blogspot.com

[SubTropicRay]

This month's Florida Gardening magazine has a pretty good article on Begonias.

[OB Burt]

What about tuberous begonias with the big showy flowers? I was wondering if they might make a killer understory accent for the summer.

[edbrown_III]

Thanks for the info ---- I hope to get down and see a few folks gardens and see how they use them . I will take a look at the blog and FLorida Gardening Magazine I wish you all a merry christmas

Best regards

Ed

[gsytch]

Thanks Ray, I wrote the article. The hardest part was getting pictures that met the magazine's criteria. Burt, tuberous do fine for you in SD. They require those cooler nights. My begonias are growing very well now, due to the warmth and foggy mornings. CHILLY weather anticipated this weekend, but it is due.