What is the scientific name for a begonia?
Begonia semperflorens-cultorum Plant Information Classification. Scientific Name: Begonia semperflorens-cultorum. Common Name: wax begonia. Tuberous Begonia Tuberous begonias have the most fragrant blooms of any begonia, as well as the biggest and most stunning. The flowers may be single or double and come in a variety of colors and forms.The flowers of tuberous begonias (Begonia x tuberhybrida) and wax begonias (B. These pretty petals have a slightly sour citrus flavour and a light, crisp texture. Use the blossoms to brighten up salads and sandwiches or decorate cakes and bakes.Also known as Semperflorens or wax begonias, these ever-blooming begonias are prized for their vibrant red, pink, or white flowers and succulent-like foliage. They are characterized by fibrous root systems, meaning they don’t grow from rhizomes or tubers like other begonia types.Begonias have asymmetric leaves, and their flowers are monoecious, which means that both male and female flowers are found on the same plant.
What is a tuberous begonia?
Tuberosa Group, often called tuberous begonias, are a large and diverse group of tender, summer-flowering plants typically growing 12-18 tall and featuring brightly colored waxy-petaled flowers in colors ranging from white to yellow to apricot to pink to rose to red. Blooms from summer to fall. Tuberous begonias are grown for their flowers, which can range from 1/2 inch across to large exhibition types with flowers the size of dinner plates. Flowers may be single or double and are available in every color except blue, some with colored petal edges. Flowers on tuberous begonias occur in threes on short stems.The biggest problem with tuberous begonias is operator error in the form of overwatering. Lots of water is already stored in the tubers and stems so be careful to check moisture in the soil at least an inch in, not just on the top. But there’s a fine line between letting them dry out well and oops!Begonias are tender bulbs and require protection from frost. For best results, start them off in temporary pots in a greenhouse in March or April to give them a head start. They can then be transplanted outside in May. Begonia tubers can also be planted directly outside into borders or containers in May.Tuberous begonias prefer the filtered light beneath high trees, or at least 4 hours of morning sun. If you are planting your begonias in a garden bed, make sure to choose a spot with the right amount of light and well-drained soil. If you are growing them in pots, use a high quality, humus-rich growing mix.
What is the difference between tuberous and fibrous begonias?
Rex begonias have fibrous leaves, but its because of their leaves that they are classified separately. Tuberous begonias are exactly that, plants grown from tubers and although they produce the prettiest of all the begonia flowers, they also are the most difficult. Nearly all begonias can be started from a stem or tip cuttings. Rexes, rhizomatous, tuberous, and a few other types can be started from leaf cuttings or portions of leaves.They are grown for their flowers, which can range from single to double and come in all colours except blue. Flowers may be tiny or the size of dinner plates. Many varieties of tuberous begonias are grown outdoors as tender perennials, then brought indoors to over-winter as houseplants, or the tubers dug up and stored.Unlike potato tubers, you can’t cut begonia tubers into pieces to produce more plants. Although some growers divide begonia tubers, they must make the divisions when the plant is actively growing, and the tuber pieces often become diseased and rotten.The most toxic parts are the rhizomes, tubers, and roots. Eating begonia is rarely fatal because they produce irritation during ingestion preventing large amounts from being taken in.Begonias make excellent container plants. They prefer to be slightly root bound rather than given room for their roots to sprawl. Let the soil dry out between watering and add a balanced liquid fertilizer every few weeks during the growing season.
What is the Latin word for begonia?
Latin: Begonia grandis subsp. The hardy begonia is a dependable fall blooming perennial ideally suited for the Arkansas shade garden. Along a moist, shaded path in my garden grows the fall-flowering hardy begonia. Habit and size: Tuberous begonias are tuberous perennials with a bushy or cascading growth habit, typically reaching around 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) in height and spread.The best time to plant Begonias is in spring, as tuberous Begonias bloom throughout the summer. The risk of frost is usually lower at this time. Plant the tubers when the last frost has disappeared, and temperatures are above 50ºF (10°C).Begonia is a member of the Begonia family (Begoniaceae) and is native to the Tropics and Subtropics of Central and South America, Africa and Asia.The Tuberous Begonias, wrapped in paper for winter storage, are brought out of the root cellar on Valentine’s Day. I keep the display tubers from year to year. The age of the tubers ranges from 2 to 15 years old. The tubers have been in winter slumber mode for nearly 3 months .These eye-catching tropicals produce loads of large, lightly fragrant flowers that bloom continuously throughout the summer and fall, right up until the first nip of frost. As container plants, tuberous begonias are second to none because of their long bloom season and lush foliage.
Where did tuberous begonias originate?
Parent tubers were discovered in forests of Bolivia and Peru and the Andes of South America. Much of the work to hybridize and cultivate tuberous begonias was done in the 20th century in Europe and North America. In 1690, Charles Plumier (1646-1706) became the first person to describe begonias, a type of flowering plant he named in honour of Michael Bégon.The begonia was discovered in 1690 in the tropical New World by Charles Plumier who named it after the person who supported his expedition, Michel Begon. The bushy fibrous-rooted plant is now known as the wax begonia or Begonia cucullate.
What are the three types of begonias?
There are four main categories of begonias including fibrous, tuberous, hardy, and rhizomatous. The leaves tend to be round, waxy, and relatively small. The flowers are also fairly small, about 1 1/2 inches. Petunias are heavy feeders and benefit from regular fertilization. Use a balanced fertilizer every two to three weeks to promote healthy growth and blooms. Begonias benefit from regular fertilization but are not considered heavy feeders. Instead, they prefer soil rich in organic matter and slightly acidic.Most tuberous plants are not heavy feeders, but this is not true for begonias. They are heavy feeders and need fertilization regularly to thrive. Top dress in ground-grown begonias once a month with a balanced (20-20-20) slow-release granular fertilizer once a month during their blooming period.Begonias thrive in both pots and the ground, depending on the variety and your growing conditions. Potted begonias are ideal for control over soil, moisture, and light, while in-ground planting works well in shady, well-drained garden beds.Begonias are tender perennials, meaning they can overwinter outdoors in zones 9-10. In zones 3-8, they must be brought indoors or the tubers must be dug up from the garden.Begonias may be used as houseplants, bedding plants, container plants, window boxes or hanging baskets. Their bright flower colors will brighten your home or landscape.
How to grow a tuberous begonia?
Plant tuberous begonia tubers indoors eight to 10 weeks before the average last spring frost in your area. Flowering typically begins 12 to 14 weeks after planting. Start tuberous begonias in pots or other suitable containers. All containers should have drainage holes in the bottom. Where to Plant: Tuberous begonias require bright light, but not direct sunlight. They grow well in full to partial shade, but may not flower in areas with dense shade and low light. Begonias are ideal container plants for shady gardens, patios, porches and patios.Tuberous begonias can also be grown indoors but do best as temporary flowering plants rather than long-term indoor accents because their growth cycle includes a dormancy period when flowers and foliage both die back. Fibrous begonias are prized for their charming year-round flowers.Tuberous Begonia Leaves They can be double or single petaled, frilled and a variety of colors. The leaves of a tuberous begonia are oval and green and grow about eight inches long. They are in a compact habit like a little bonsai shrub and grow from swollen soft stems.The tuberous Begonia group REQUIRES winter dormancy, which is essential to understand when learning how to overwinter begonias. This means you need to begin in fall by reducing the water to the plants until the tops have died back and the soil is completely dry.