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caleb_flutist1

Variegated Wax Begonia?

caleb_flutist1
18 years ago

I think that somehow one of my now tiny wax begonia has either mutated or is the product of a cross-pollination of some kind. It has deeply variegated leaves. Pure white stripes go all the way from the apex of the leaves to the very edged. I believed it has red flowers although it is still small and hasn't flowered yet so I don't know. I didn't produce this myself, I bought it at a friends greenhouse sale. Can you tell me if there is a wax begonia with this kind of variegation? If not, who would i tell to get it propagated and on the market? How much could it be worth?

Thank you for your help,

Caleb

Comments (8)

  • mingtea
    18 years ago

    hi caleb,

    there is a semperflorens begonia called 'Charm.' i linked a past post for you. HTH,

    -ming

    Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:428535}}

  • caleb_flutist1
    Original Author
    18 years ago

    sorry that's not it!

    it's not dotted like that, it's not even that species (variety?) It has solid lines of variegation from the apex to the tips. I have in fact seen that very picture before while searching the forums for something about begonia variegation. Thank you very much for responding so quickly! I hope I find out what it is. It would be awesome if it were a new mutation!

    Thanks again

    Caleb

  • hc mcdole
    18 years ago

    Caleb,

    Can you post a picture of this mystery begonia?

    Ming is right about the variegated wax begonia - it is 'Charm'.

    It sounds like you either don't have a wax begonia (semperflorens) or have some new wax begonia not released to the general public. It'd be interesting to see this.

    Butch

  • caleb_flutist1
    Original Author
    18 years ago

    I will try to get a picture up before the end of the day. Butch, I am 99.9% positive it is of the Semperflorens. It is small now and it may very well be the 'Charm' that you have showed me but why would it be sold in a flat of plain old wax begonias? They look exactly the same except for the variegation. Will the flowers be different on a 'Charm'. I tthink it is a new variety but I don't know so that's why I am here.

  • greenelbows1
    18 years ago

    I think I have seen other variegated semps besides 'Charm' advertised, but not widely. Yours sounds really pretty! Seems to me I even saw ads for different colors of 'Charm', but the variegation you describe would appeal more to me personally. I've grown 'Charm', and it's nice enough, but it always looks a little like it's got a virus or been splattered with weed-killer or something to me. I definitely like some variegated plants, but others aren't to my taste--and isn't it great we don't all want to grow just the same things!?

  • marguerite_gw Zone 9a
    18 years ago

    A few years ago variegated-leaf Begonia semperflorens were sold as seed here in the ordinary catalogues; I haven't seen them in a long time though I've certainly looked for them; perhaps not enough people bought them or maybe they didn't thrive; anyway, yours sounds pretty unusual and worth holding on to; if you propagate it yourself and see how sturdy it is, you could then find out if any specialist nurseries might be interested. Sometimes variegation means a weaker plant, so it would be worth growing it on as a trial yourself first, I think. The very best of luck with it!

  • caleb_flutist1
    Original Author
    18 years ago

    I have noticed it is weaker in resisting the terrible sun and heat we have been exposed to lately. By that I mean that it's leaves are more burnt than the others, but at least it's not dead! My camera hasn't been working but I'll try to get a picture up.

  • seaecho1
    18 years ago

    It sounds just lovely. Yes, please post a pic.

    Randi

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