What kind are these? The red one looks just like the plant I collected seeds from in a city planter down town. I also got a plant from a city worker who was digging them up to throw them out. It has kept fine all winter in the window.

Hi, tom8olvr, I just planted seeds of 16 different species of begonias. If you're a member of the ABS you can buy seed from a seed fund that the members supply. Last year I planted 8 different species and only had three types germinate. Of those I shared the plants with another member and ended up with only B. dichroa an B. curtii. Hopefully I'll have better germination this year. I waited a little later so my porch won't be so cool. I'm pretty sure that was my biggest problem. I didn't buy Dragon wing seed this year, but saved several plants to winter over. The same with the Queens. I was disappointed in the Queens last year compared to the first year that I grew them. I'm looking forward to your pictures. Anita

Gladzoe, the red ones are Dragon Wing begonias in red (they
also have pink - and 'Baby Dragon Wings' (in white and
pink??). They're vigorous and sterile (so they bloom all
summer) and take well to bedding. They're also very
forgiving - I had sprinkler system put in 2 years ago and
they destroyed the bed - and moved several full size plants
and they bounced back VERY well. I recommend them highly.
I've not overwintered them sucessfully - so I've started
them from seed each year. I'm very happy with them and was
sorry last year they were killed by the DH. I grew NG
impatiens instead (which were nice, but not as nice as the
DW begonias).

If you have overwintered them, many people take cuttings
and grow the cuttings... you might want to give that a
try? They sure are beautiful in a bed - and when they were
at full bloom I would cut the flowers and make BEAUTIFUL
bouquets of RED flowers with them - they'd last a day or
two, but were just amazing... I would bring them as a gift
with a bottle of wine when going to someone's house for dinner
and they were always well recieved. I should have taken a
picture!

Good luck!

Anita! 16 species! Wow. No, I'm not a member of ABS... We have
a club/group around here - Massachusetts - that I went to
and didn't feel like I had too much in common with them.
Anita, take pictures!!!! I'm dying to see what you get!

Abs, I still have pictures from last year and even with your instructions I couldn't get them on. Maybe I can get my grand daughter over here to help me one day. I know what you mean about begonia societies. We're more into the indoor types. It's 70°here today so I'm going back out, just came in for a little break. Anita

Testing for pictures.

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Begonias by the back porch.
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Begonias by the porch last summer and a young curtii from seed. Anita
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Beautiful!!!!!! I'm so attracted to the begonias with
the big leaves and spots! It's like an Abs magnet!!!!!!!!!

Tom, that's a great idea, using the dragon wing in a bed like that. I've got 10 seeds I decided to start (a little late getting my begonias going this year).

So, can you tell me about the spacing you did? How far apart did you put the dragon wings to get them so full-looking? I'm thinking 10 plants (if they germinate, that is) may not go very far, or will it? I might have to buy some at the nursery. I'm going to try to replicate what you've done, though - smaller scale, maybe. Thanks.

In my opinion Dee (and I'm new to all this compared to
some) 10 plants will go pretty far.

I spaced them at about 10"-12" apart. Here's a good pic of the spacing.
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That's the same bed, with just planted DW.

They said they'd grow 16" wide and 16" tall - they grew to
well over 24" tall... not sure about the width b/c they
grew into a hedge (as you can see).

In my neck of the woods they're expensive to purchase - but
I have a friend in GA who purchases them for very little
money. Also I understand you can buy a boatload on line on
e-bay. May be he'll chime in?

This is another bed I did - the dog kept laying in it (hence
the string) and they grew with the same result... even though
it's really deep shade...
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Thank you Tom - for the explanation and the photos. OK, it looks do-able. : ) I started my seeds today. Fingers crossed. They way they formed that hedge 'affect' is really nice...

Hi all, of the 16 varieties only three are showing any seedlings. This happened last year too so I know a few more will germinate. It's still a bargain when you consider what mailorder plants cost and then there's shipping. The seed that gave me the most plants isn't a species, it's Vanderveldiana. Have any of you seen it and would you decribe it?
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They're so cute!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

these are my little peanuts!
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Ok, I'm on the impatien bandwagon this weekend... transplanted 900 impatien plants. PHEW! But noticed that there was some decent growth since the last posting.
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Been a while since I updated... I'm going to be
transplanting this weekend. I've allowed them to crowd a
bit more than I should, but we'll see what I can do. Seems
like as soon as they start to touch WHAM they grow so
quickly. As soon as I transplant them they slow down in
their growth. Well, I'll have pictures monday! Have a
good Easter everyone!

Here's a progress report. The species begonias have all germinated a few seeds. The first up have been planted into pots. {{gwi:430005}}
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OMG, what a difference in size, Anita... I'm assuming some are started from seed and others are cuttings or something?

Over the weekend I transplanted (sorry no pics this time) 450 begonias - I have a few extra, but this would mean that I have a 90% germination/grow-on rate, for me, that's pretty darn good!!!

Wow, Abs, that's a lot of transplanting. I don't think I'd be able to focus my eyes after that many tiny plantings. That's not even counting your imps is it? Are you going to plant some of them around your new patio? Here's a pic of the flat I started. A lot more have germonated since I last posted. And...yes, that last post had a picture of one of the Bonfire bulbs sprouting new growth. They made nice big bulb last year that I planted for pots this year.
{{gwi:430009}} This is one of the babies, I think he looks like his father's side! Here's the flat, a lot more germinated since my last post, and some have been potted already.
{{gwi:430011}}I found My Special Angel about a week ago and put three small plants of it in one pot.
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Back in March, I said I was going to start my 10 red dragon seeds... and here they are (they're going out in less than 3 weeks, and some are more developed than others):

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I started some begonia tubers, as well. A couple have barely sprouted. I'm thinking of planting them in their hanging baskets soon, to see if that might give them a push.

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They are the cutest darn things!

I fried about half of my begonias in one day - we were having
very cloudy weather - then one day the sun popped out and
fried a ton of my plants!!! Unbelievable!