This is my first time to post to the Begonia Forum. I usually hang out at the Gesneriad, African Violet, and Bonsai forums, but I've always loved begonias, too. I'm hoping for recommendations for the tiniest of begonias to use in miniature dish gardens, terrariums, and natural gardens (usually planted in driftwood, shells, etc.), which I exhibit in African violet shows. Last year a friend gave me a start of 'Smidgen' for my birthday. Smidgen's largest leaves are only 1/2" (2 cm) long. The plant stays tiny and doesn't outgrow it's garden within a few weeks. Thanks in advance for recommendations for other true mini varieties about this size. Sources would be appreciated, too.

Betty in Arkansas where the dogwoods are just beginning to blossom out

Betty

Rob's Violets typically has some very good deals and ships fairly fast too. Some of the begonias they offer are not miniatures though so be forewarned. Case in point is 'Shamus' - it can get quite large (not nelumbiifolia large) but mine is covering a 20 inch round table after 2 to 3 years and the leaf size is over 4 inches across.

Accents for Home and Garden is another place to get some small begonias at great prices (much larger pot size than Rob's).

Some small ones to consider are bowerae hybrids. The leaf size is usually 1/2 inch or smaller but it can spread to fill a good size pot. I have had problems with lots of begonias from Rob's but typically it has been my fault. If I had provided a good humid environment they seem to thrive but dry basement air does them in usually.

The other thing you can do is "bonsai" your plants. Bonsai isn't just for woody plants. For instance I have one very teeny tiny 'Black Coffee' in a Jiffy 7 cube for the last 3 to 4 years. That cube is inside a Solo rinse cup (the ones you see at the dentist's office). I don't know how it is still hanging on inside such a small space but it is. I gave my mother a cutting of 'Black Coffee' and she grew a very large one inside a 8 inch pot. One leaf of it dwarfs the small one I just mentioned.

Here are some of my small begonias:
'Red Planet'

'Mazae Dark'

'Little Cleo'

'Last Laugh' I suspect this is going to be much bigger when it grows up

'Baby Dress' I have tried this at least twice in the past. This time it is still in its original pot and still alive after nearly a year.

'Chantilly Lace' I thought I was going to lose my last one so I bought this as a back up. The other one has grown like a weed since I put it in an enclosed environment (acrylic ice bucket with a salad bowl lid).

B. hydrocotifolia This is a slow growing, small species.

A bowerae hybrid (maybe 'Kit Kat') this is in a small pot so it is contained. The next one I will show you is the same plant in a 6 inch bowl.

bowerae hybrid in a bigger pot with a bonus 'Little Brother Montgomery' in the same pot. LBM is pushing the lid off the pot so I may have to move it out soon.

I don't know what this is but I like it.

'Othello' or as some eBay seller has it listed -Orthello

'Mazae Dark' in hand

'Little Cleo' in hand

'Butterfly' with 16 oz cup for humidity control

'Black Coffee' in different size pots

The blue ribbon winner is my mother's 'Black Coffee' at this year's Southeastern Flower Show. Second place was my 'Cachuma' on the floor.