begonia - Super Floral Retailing

Transcription

blooming plant of the month
begonia
Begonia x hiemalis (Elatior hybrid)
Winter-flowering Begonia, Rieger Begonia
Photo: Beekenkamp Plants
BOTANICAL NAMES
Begonia x hiemalis
(syns.: Begonia x elatior,
Begonia Elatior Hybrids)
Begonia x tuberhybrida
(syn.: Begonia Tuberhybrida Group)
COMMON NAMES
B. x hiemalis:
Winter-flowering Begonia,
Rieger Begonia
B. x tuberhybrida:
Hybrid tuberous Begonia,
Tuberous Begonia
PRONUNCIATION
Begonia:
bih-GOAN-yuh, bih-GO-nee-uh,
bay-GOAN-yuh, bay-GO-nee-uh,
bee-GOAN-yuh, bee-GO-nee-uh
hiemalis:
hy-e-MAH-lis, hy-MAH-lis
in-store and consumer care
LIGHT Indoors, flowering Begonias require
moderate to bright light but away from
direct sunlight; east-facing windows provide ideal exposure. During winter
months, they require increased light, so
placement near south- or west-facing windows is beneficial.
WATER Begonias prefer moderately moist—
but not soggy—soil from spring through
fall (drier in winter). They are easily damaged by overwatering, yet they also are
adversely affected if their soil becomes too
elatior:
eh-LATE-ee-or
tuberhybrida:
too-bur-HY-bri-duh,
too-bur-HIB-rid-uh
Note: Wax Begonias (B. semperflorens)
are not mentioned in this article because they
are available primarily as bedding plants
rather than potted houseplants.
DESCRIPTION
Winter-flowering, or Rieger, Begonias (B. x
hiemalis/elatior) produce either singleflowered or double-flowered blooms that
have rounded petal edges, grow up to 2
inches in diameter and occur in loose
clusters at stem ends. Compact varieties
reach 6 to 8 inches in height although
other types can grow to 12 to 18 inches.
Leaf forms are generally rounded, sometimes with scalloped edges, but they also
can be ivylike or pointed.
Tuberous Begonias (B. x tuberhybrida) are
the large-flowered types, with blooms up
to 4 inches in diameter. The blooms are
usually borne either in clusters of three,
with one male and two female flowers, or
in pairs. Male blooms are larger than
female blooms and can be singles, semidoubles or doubles while the female
blooms are usually single flowered. The
blooms, some varieties of which are fragrant and can resemble either small
Camellias or roses, are composed of many
overlapping petals, often with frilled or
dry. A general rule of thumb is to allow the
top inch of soil to become nearly dry
between waterings. Water with soft, roomtemperature water.
TEMPERATURE Average room temperatures—65 F to 75 F—are ideal. These
plants are easily damaged if exposed to
temperatures lower than 55 F.
HUMIDITY Begonias require humid environments. Place pots on pebble trays, place a
humidifier in the room or frequently mist
the air around the plants (never spray the
plants directly).
Super Floral Retailing has created this page
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To download a reprintable PDF, please go
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ruffled edges. Compact varieties usually
reach about 12 inches in height while others can grow to 24 inches. Also, there are
pendulous, or cascading, types (B. x tuberhybrida pendula), which are good for hanging baskets. Leaves vary in shape from
elongated hearts to pointed ivylike forms.
Characteristics common to all Begonias
are fleshy stems and lopsided leaves, with
one half larger than the other.
COLORS
Flowering Begonias are available in red,
pink, rose, orange, salmon, yellow, white
and bicolors.
DECORATIVE LIFE
Depending on environment and care, winter-flowering (Rieger) Begonias generally
last four to six weeks although some new
varieties last longer. To prolong flowering
time, gently pinch off individual blooms as
they fade. This fibrous-rooted species is
bred for a single season and can be challenging to regrow (although it can be
done), so many people discard them after
flowering. Tuberous Begonias typically last
two to four weeks, sometimes longer, and
are easier to regrow.
AVAILABILITY
Both types of potted flowering Begonias
should be available throughout the year.
While all growers may not produce these
plants year-round, varying production
schedules among growers should make
them available continuously.
ETHYLENE SENSITIVITY These plants are sensitive to ethylene gas, so make sure your
purchases are treated with an antiethylene
agent at the grower or during shipping,
keep them away from fruit and other produce, and take precautions to reduce levels
of ethylene in your facilities.
FERTILIZER During flowering and growth
periods, feed Begonias every two weeks with
a liquid, high-phosphorous plant food
diluted to half strength.
SOIL Begonias require a light, well-draining
potting medium, preferably containing
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(Continued from Page 22)
Sphagnum peat moss and/or perlite.
African violet potting mix works well for
these plants.
GROOMING Carefully remove blooms as
they fade.
REPOTTING Winter-flowering (Rieger)
Begonias like to be slightly rootbound and
generally need no repotting; they tend to
become dormant or die after flowering.
Tuberous Begonias may be repotted after
flowering, if rootbound, but avoid replanting them into large pots because this can
lead to overwatering and, therefore, root rot.
CARE EXTRAS Begonias often react badly to
changes in their environment, so instruct
customers to provide optimum conditions and care when they first get them
home. Some Begonia authorities suggest
enclosing plants in a loose plastic bag for
a few days to protect them from drafts
and dryness and to help them adjust to
their new environment.
challenges
LEAVES TURN YELLOW OR BROWN AND FALL
OFF Overwatering or underwatering, not
enough light and/or too high temperatures.
BROWN TIPS/EDGES ON LEAVES Low
humidity.
PALE, ROTTING LEAVES Overwatering.
FLOWER BUDS DROP Low humidity or
underwatering.
PESTS Mealybugs, red spider mites, thrips,
aphids and root nematodes. Remove
mealybugs with a cotton swab dipped in
isopropyl alcohol, repeating every five
days until the problem is controlled. Treat
for mites, thrips and aphids with a
nonoil-based insecticide. Removal of
affected leaves and stems might be
required, or in severe cases, the plant
might have to be discarded.
DISEASES Powdery mildew (white powdery spots) and Botrytis (gray, moldy
blotches), both fungal diseases, can occur
with overly damp conditions, low light,
low temperatures and poor air circulation.
Remove infected parts, treat with a systemic fungicide, and improve care and
environmental conditions.
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floral retailing
may ’12
purchasing advice
n Buy Begonias that show good bud color
but have not begun to bloom.
n Check plants for insects and fungal diseases (see “Challenges: Pests” and
“Diseases,” left, below).
fun facts
WHAT’S IN A NAME The genus Begonia is
named for Michel Bégon (1638-1710), a
French naval officer; botanist; and governor
of Santo Domingo, in the Dominican
Republic, which was then a French colony.
The specific epithet (species name)
“hiemalis” is a derivative of the Latin word
hiems, meaning of winter. “Tuberhybrida”
refers to tuberous-rooted hybrids.
RIEGER OR REIGER There is much discussion about which is the correct spelling. We
find more evidence in favor of Rieger,
because the hiemalis/elatior hybrids were
developed by Otto Rieger, a German plant
breeder (although there are those who
insist Otto’s surname was spelled Reiger!).
FAMILY MATTERS The huge Begonia genus,
with more than 1,000 species, is the lone
member of the Begoniaceae family.
HOME SWEET HOME Begonias are native
to the moist tropical and subtropical
regions in both hemispheres and of all continents except Australia. They are most
diverse in South America.
Do you need a quick and easy
reference for information
about other blooming plants?
Botanica, by R.G. Turner Jr. and Ernie Wasson
Chain of Life Network®
Complete Houseplant Survival Manual, The,
by Barbara Pleasant
Dictionary of Plant Names, by Allen J. Coombes
Houseplant Encyclopedia, The,
by Ingrid Jantra and Ursula Krüger
New House Plant Expert, The, by Dr. D.G. Hessayon
New Pronouncing Dictionary of Plant Names,
by Florists’ Review
SAF Flower & Plant Care,
by Terril A. Nell, Ph.D. and Michael S. Reid, Ph.D.
Stearn’s Dictionary of Plant Names for Gardener,
by William T. Stern
B. x tuberhybrida (Tuberhybrida Group)
Hybrid tuberous Begonias,
Tuberous Begonias
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B. x hiemalis (Elatior hybrids)
Winter-flowering Begonias, Rieger Begonias
Red Fox Dragone
‘Champagne’
Red Fox Dragone
‘Dusty Rose’
Red Fox Dragone
‘Pink Hope’
Red Fox Dragone
‘White Blush’
Dummen USA, Inc.
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‘Charisma® Scarlet’
‘Baladin®’
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‘Balamon®’
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‘Barkos®’
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‘Batik’
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‘Bela’
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Koppe Begonias / Beekenkamp
Plants / Floremara / Optimara
Beekenkamp Plants /
Floremara / Optimara
Koppe Begonias
‘Bela Lilacpink’
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‘Bellona’
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‘Berseba® Light Pink’
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‘Berseba® Red’
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Koppe Begonias
Ernst Benary of America, Inc.
‘Charisma® Pink’
‘Charisma® Salmon
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‘Berseba®’
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‘Binos® Pinky White’
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‘Binos® Pink’
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‘Binos® Soft Pink’
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‘Binos®’
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‘Blitz’
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‘Bonbon®’
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Beekenkamp Plants /
Beekenkamp Plants /
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‘Borias®’
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‘Britt Dark’
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‘Camilla®’
(Ilona Collection)
‘Carneval®’
(Ilona Collection)
‘Ceveca’
Koppe Begonias
Beekenkamp Plants /
Beekenkamp Plants /
‘Cindy Fringed®’
(Ilona Collection)
‘Clara Fringed®’
(Ilona Collection)
‘Clara®’
(Ilona Collection)
‘Dragone®’
‘Eva®’
(Ilona Collection)
‘Janny Fringed®’
(Ilona Collection)
Beekenkamp Plants /
Beekenkamp Plants /
Beekenkamp Plants /
Beekenkamp Plants /
Beekenkamp Plants /
‘Julie®’
(Ilona Collection)
‘Kristy Fringed®’
(Ilona Collection)
‘Monella’
(Ilona Collection)
‘Nelly’
(Ilona Collection)
‘Netja Dark’
(Ilona Collection)
‘Netja White’
(Ilona Collection)
Beekenkamp Plants /
Beekenkamp Plants /
Koppe Begonias
Beekenkamp Plants /
Koppe Begonias
‘Netja Fringed®’
(Ilona Collection)
‘Peggy®’
(Ilona Collection)
Beekenkamp Plants /
Beekenkamp Plants /
‘Sandrine®’
(Ilona Collection)
‘Veronica®’
(Ilona Collection)
Beekenkamp Plants /
Beekenkamp Plants /
‘Glory’
(Ilona Collection)
‘Lax’
(Ilona Collection)
Beekenkamp Plants /
28
super
floral retailing
Beekenkamp Plants /
Floremara / Optimara sfr
may ’12

begonia - Super Floral Retailing

Transcription

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