Genus: Begonia

There are at least 10,000 hybrids and cultivars recorded in this genus with a massive 1400 species! The showy flowers and often attractively marked leaves encourage breeders to keep on hybridizing these multi-faceted plants.

Most begonias are frost tender and the often large flowers come in many shades of white, pink, scarlet and yellow. In most species the fruit is a winged capsule containing lots of minute seeds. The foliage can be spectacular with silver-green, red, purple, yellow splashes and veins.

The genus and common name honours Michel Bégon, a French patron of botany.

Begonia photos

  • Niagra Yellow Begonias  (Begonia)
    By Janette
  • Begonia Niagra Yellow (Begonia)
    By Janette
  • George McCormick - Begonia (Begonia)
    By marksbeg..
  • Million Kisses - Begonia (Begonia)
    By marksbeg..
  • Flamboyant - Begonia (Begonia)
    By marksbeg..
  • Begonia Betulia (Begonia)
    By marksbeg..
  • A garden flower photo (Begonia)
    By marksbeg..
  • A garden flower photo (Begonia)
    By marksbeg..
  • Buds (Begonia)
    By marksbeg..
  • Buds (Begonia)
    By marksbeg..
  • Buds (Begonia)
    By marksbeg..
  • Firecracker (Begonia)
    By marksbeg..
  • Firecracker (Begonia)
    By marksbeg..
  • Begonias and Allium schubertii (Begonia)
    By Buzzbee
  • Yellow Begonia (Begonia)
    By Janette
  • Red Begonia (Begonia)
    By Janette
  • White Begonia (Begonia)
    By Janette
  • B. Blushing Silver Begonia (Begonia)
    By marksbeg..
  • Begonia Nigra Scarlet (Begonia)
    By Janette
  • Christina's blossoms (Begonia semperflorens)
    By Taffy
  • No side shoots, won't make the show (Begonia)
    By marksbeg..
  • Potted on with 2 side shoots (Begonia)
    By marksbeg..
  • Adding the cane (Begonia)
    By marksbeg..
  • Roots filled the pot, ready to pot on (Begonia)
    By marksbeg..

more...

Species of Begonia

Members growing plants in this genus

  • marksbegonias

    Marksbegonias

    joined 21 May, 2007

    6 plants

  • AndrewR

    Andrewr

    joined 7 Aug, 2007

    495 plants

  • Taffy

    Taffy

    joined 29 Dec, 2007

    4 plants

  • Buzzbee

    Buzzbee

    joined 23 Dec, 2007

    164 plants

  • Xela

    Xela

    joined 1 Mar, 2008

    220 plants

  • Janette

    Janette

    joined 7 Feb, 2008

    224 plants

Comments:

Marguerite

Marguerite

25 Jul, 2008

 

Fantastic flower. I thought it was a rose when I saw the thumbnail,lol.

Lori

Lori

24 Jul, 2008

 

ooo pretty... like the hanging planter too!

Janette

Janette

24 Jul, 2008

 

The very one Jacque thanks Eileen

irish

Irish

24 Jul, 2008

 

beautiful colour

jacque

Jacque

24 Jul, 2008

 

Lovely Yellow Janette ,Is that the Fairy tree i see behind it? :)

marksbegonias

Marksbegonias

22 Jul, 2008

 

I'm looking forward to them opening, i'll get some more pictures when they do!

On photo - Buds

marksbegonias

Marksbegonias

22 Jul, 2008

 

The Double Tuberous Begonias do look like roses, although some have frilled petals. I think thats why i'm so fond of them, i've always loved Roses - these have no thorns and big blooms from a pot plant.

On photo - Buttermilk Begonia.

Marguerite

Marguerite

22 Jul, 2008

 

I'd swear they were roses. So beautiful.

On photo - Buttermilk Begonia.

Marguerite

Marguerite

22 Jul, 2008

 

Lovely blooms, nice foliage.

Marguerite

Marguerite

22 Jul, 2008

 

So pretty, lovely colour.

On photo - Buds

Buzzbee

Buzzbee

21 Jul, 2008

 

Thanks Organictomato - these are begonias a neighbour gave me and they are pretty spectacular blooms really.

OrganicTomato

Organictomato

21 Jul, 2008

 

postcard perfect. Thanks!!!

celandine

Celandine

20 Jul, 2008

 

Super colour and I like the frilly edges too!

Janette

Janette

20 Jul, 2008

 

Thanks ladies

jacque

Jacque

20 Jul, 2008

 

MMMMMmmmm looks so soft :)

irish

Irish

20 Jul, 2008

 

very nice colour

marksbegonias

Marksbegonias

17 Jul, 2008

 

Going by this bloom, it looks as if it will be a real winner. I need to get more cuttings. lol.

marksbegonias

Marksbegonias

17 Jul, 2008

 

It does look different to most Begonias, but it is similar to Firecracker.

blodyn

Blodyn

17 Jul, 2008

 

There's a beautiful colour on this one : o)

On photo - Buds

Gillian

Gillian

17 Jul, 2008

 

Beautiful orange.

On photo - Untitled

Gillian

Gillian

17 Jul, 2008

 

That's different! I would never have identified it as a begonia.

Gillian

Gillian

17 Jul, 2008

 

Love it!

marksbegonias

Marksbegonias

17 Jul, 2008

 

Not a new variety, just new to my collection. The bloom by the side of it is another new one to my collection - First Love.

marksbegonias

Marksbegonias

17 Jul, 2008

 

Won't be able to show it this year as i've not long bought it. But it should next year, these smaller flowered Begonias flower for a longer period and i can use them in a pot plent class if there are no Double Tuberous Begonias ready.

On photo - Begonia Betulia

irish

Irish

17 Jul, 2008

 

lovely colour

On photo - Untitled

flcrazy

Flcrazy

14 Jul, 2008

 

So do I Gillian, but i just don't have anywhere to overwinter them, darn it !

flcrazy

Flcrazy

11 Jul, 2008

 

Man... what an eyecatcher ! That could brighten up the darkest shady spot in the garden.

MikeC

Mikec

11 Jul, 2008

 

Real nice shade of yellow.

On photo - Yellow Begonia

Janette

Janette

10 Jul, 2008

 

Thanks Irish

On photo - Yellow Begonia

irish

Irish

10 Jul, 2008

 

such a lovely colour

On photo - Yellow Begonia

Janette

Janette

8 Jul, 2008

 

Thanks ladies and gent

On photo - White Begonia

jacque

Jacque

7 Jul, 2008

 

How Pretty :)

On photo - White Begonia

blodyn

Blodyn

7 Jul, 2008

 

I like the white ones with dark leaves. I like the contrast.

On photo - White Begonia

amy

Amy

7 Jul, 2008

 

lovely

On photo - White Begonia

irish

Irish

7 Jul, 2008

 

thats beautiful janette

On photo - White Begonia

david

David

6 Jul, 2008

 

Is there NOTHING that those foliage begonia breeders/namers cannot produce?

Gillian

Gillian

4 Jul, 2008

 

Brilliant! I'm going to try that next time I'm repotting.
Reminds me of the old saying, "Old gardeners never die, they just need repotting".

Gillian

Gillian

4 Jul, 2008

 

Lovely colour! I so want to go out and buy lots of begonias after seeing all of yours!

marksbegonias

Marksbegonias

1 Jul, 2008

 

I think the name seems to suit it as it does look as if it's blushing, and has silvery leaves. I hadn't seen this plant before, but thought it looked a good one.

spritzhenry

Spritzhenry

1 Jul, 2008

 

That's a lovely one, Mark.

blodyn

Blodyn

1 Jul, 2008

 

Beautiful colour leaves. They look metallic.

david

David

1 Jul, 2008

 

Lovely plant, Mark, with yet another great name!

Grammazoo

Grammazoo

30 Jun, 2008

 

Fantastic colour!

Janette

Janette

29 Jun, 2008

 

Thanks guys

marksbegonias

Marksbegonias

29 Jun, 2008

 

Lovely bright colour, gr8 picture :-)

marksbegonias

Marksbegonias

29 Jun, 2008

 

Yes i find it easy. If the plant is a bit pot bound though it's best to just loosen a few roots to encourage them to grow out into the new compost. Best try and get them before they get pot bound, but they need to have filled the pot - that's the hardest bit, if there's a lot ready at the same time it can't always be done just right!

marksbegonias

Marksbegonias

29 Jun, 2008

 

Yes it's a shame really as there will be some blooms at the top of the plant. But with just blooms at the top they look top heavy, can get away with one side shoot if need be - but 2 are best for a nice balanced plant. Hopefully it will do better next year.

bonkersbon

Bonkersbon

29 Jun, 2008

 

So vibrant it looks plugged in!

Janette

Janette

29 Jun, 2008

 

Thanks ladies

irish

Irish

29 Jun, 2008

 

beautiful colour

Gillian

Gillian

29 Jun, 2008

 

Wow!

weemamabell

Weemamabell

29 Jun, 2008

 

Mark , that was great , really enjoyed reading it , Thanks x

On photo - 2008 - Final pots

weemamabell

Weemamabell

29 Jun, 2008

 

I thought it would be difficult to do it but its actually so much easier eh ? and a lot less damage to the plant

weemamabell

Weemamabell

29 Jun, 2008

 

looks so nice and healthy as well !

david

David

28 Jun, 2008

 

Thank you very much, Mark, for the time and trouble you.ve taken, to show us the various stages in this process - I find it fascinating!

Taffy

Taffy

26 Jun, 2008

 

Yep. At my apartment, she sits on my kitchen counter right next to the sun. This picture is actually in my bedroom at my parents' place. :)

On photo - My Big Girl

Lori

Lori

26 Jun, 2008

 

She does look healthy...does she get lots of sun?

On photo - My Big Girl

marksbegonias

Marksbegonias

18 Jun, 2008

 

I've taken the biggest one off because it will be open too soon for the show date. But you are right, i can't wait for the plants to come into bloom :-)

marksbegonias

Marksbegonias

18 Jun, 2008

 

I always do when i'm using a blade :-)

blodyn

Blodyn

18 Jun, 2008

 

It makes sense when you think about it. I'll have to remember to do it,

Janette

Janette

18 Jun, 2008

 

Look forwards to reading it Mark

jacque

Jacque

18 Jun, 2008

 

Those Buds look great bet u cant wait 4them2open ? :D

marksbegonias

Marksbegonias

18 Jun, 2008

 

The side shoots are where the blooms will come from, without side shoots there would only be blooms at the top of the plant. An ideal plant will have 2 side shoots (one each side of the plant) to keep the plant balanced - although it depends on how the plant grows, sometimes the ideal plant won't appear, in which case make do with one side shoot. There should be 2 or possibly 3 blooms from the top of the plant and each side shoot, the tricky bit having 3 blooms from each is getting all the blooms out together - it does happen sometimes, and looks brilliant when it does. This is where measuring the buds comes in, but in the end it's the plant that decides lol :-)

marksbegonias

Marksbegonias

18 Jun, 2008

 

I was told never to take a cutting without dipping the blade first in case of infection. If one plant has something, cut it and move on to the next plant hey presto that's got it too. My Begonia growing friend Stan is brilliant with Begonias, he's had many years experience :-)

marksbegonias

Marksbegonias

18 Jun, 2008

 

I was asked about how to grow Begonias in a private message, so i thought i would gather some pictures and write a blog about the subject, as there's too much to put into a message. Only trouble is finding time to do it, but i will when i get the chance :-)

blodyn

Blodyn

18 Jun, 2008

 

Now that's a good tip.

Janette

Janette

18 Jun, 2008

 

Exactly what I was thinking

irish

Irish

18 Jun, 2008

 

brilliant set of pics mark, step by step guide.

irish

Irish

18 Jun, 2008

 

show ones need side shoots aye?

Lori

Lori

17 Jun, 2008

 

Great to finally put a name to it!! Thanks Mark and Thankyou Terry Tasker.

On photo - B. Lucerna

marksbegonias

Marksbegonias

16 Jun, 2008

 

This plant has recovered, there is a picture of it in my collection of photo's with new growth on - lovely plant.

On photo - B. Black Knight

marksbegonias

Marksbegonias

16 Jun, 2008

 

The label appears back to front for some strange reason.

On photo - Morning Dew

marksbegonias

Marksbegonias

16 Jun, 2008

 

Purchased these from ebay, they were labeled as "Spotted Angel Wings" I had an observation from the expert Terry Tasker who very kindly informed me that this plant is B. Lucerna.

On photo - B. Lucerna

marksbegonias

Marksbegonias

16 Jun, 2008

 

Purchased these from ebay, they were labeled as "Spotted Angel Wings" I had an observation from the expert Terry Tasker who very kindly informed me that this plant is B. Lucerna.

On photo - B. Lucerna

marksbegonias

Marksbegonias

16 Jun, 2008

 

Purchased these from ebay, they were labeled as "Spotted Angel Wings" I had an observation from the expert Terry Tasker who very kindly informed me that this plant is B. Lucerna.

On photo - B. Lucerna

marksbegonias

Marksbegonias

16 Jun, 2008

 

I have had an obsevation sent to me very kindly by Terry Tasker to correctly name this plant. It was purchased off the ebay site some time ago now and was labeled as "Midnight Magic".
I have corrected the name to: B."Black Night".

On photo - B. Black Knight

marksbegonias

Marksbegonias

16 Jun, 2008

 

I have had an obsevation sent to me very kindly by Terry Tasker to correctly name this plant. It was purchased off the ebay site some time ago now and was labeled as "Midnight Magic".
I have corrected the name to: B."Black Night".

On photo - B. Black Knight

Grammazoo

Grammazoo

15 Jun, 2008

 

Mine resets every time it is opened, which is daily for me. It is such a pain that I don't bother to set it; fortunately the date doesn't print out, but it can be in 'properties' if I don't edit it...so annoying!
Good luck with the show!

On photo - 2008 - Final pots

marksbegonias

Marksbegonias

15 Jun, 2008

 

New camera, didn't realise the date would show on the picture. I shall have to make sure the date is right next time!

On photo - 2008 - Final pots

marksbegonias

Marksbegonias

12 Jun, 2008

 

I will post a blog about Begonia growing, i will check all my notes to make sure i don't miss anything out. If you haven't started them yet i would do so as soon as possible. There are some pictures of my tubers going into the propagaters, and in the propagators at the start of the season. Cover the tuber, but only just below the surface. The compost i use is 50% multipurpose & 50% vermiculite (or pearlite, but that is more dusty). Use a seed tray if you've no propagator, they should grow quickly without heat by this time of year. Be careful not to overwater them, bear in mind they've no roots until they get going. Roots tend to be reluctant to grow into wet compost.

Janette

Janette

11 Jun, 2008

 

Thanks girls

On photo -