B. 'Lynda Dawn'

                              This is a shrub-like hybrid I created in the 1990's. It is very full growing with
summer blooms of rosy-red, and an easy plant to grow. It slows down in winter, but grows very
fast come warmer weather. I lost it in the hurricanes of 2004. Perhaps I will get it back one day?

PROPAGATING BEGONIAS

So you want to propagate begonias? Well, it takes some knowledge of what it takes to be successful. Begonias require a very well drained prop mix whether it be leaves, stems, pieces, etc...

Do you have a greenhouse? If not, a large plastic tub will also do but make sure it is sterile. The best prop mix is similar to:

1/2 perlite
1/4 dry peat moss
1/4 vermiculite (large type preferred)
handful of bone meal for some in initial fertilizing....

Drier climates can use more peat moss. Thoroughly soak the mix prior to sticking the cuttings. More to come.

This is Begonia 'Bashful Bandit', a hybrid I created in the 1990's. It was part of a trio from related crosses I selected. However, thanks to Hurricane Jeanne I lost it (and a lot more). THANK YOU to my friend Frances in West Palm as I have it back. It is beautiful, and by spring I will have it propagating once again.

This is one of the "Blue" orchids. Not really blue, but close. It is a Laeliacattleya, or Lc.  'Roebling'. This orchid will bloom several times a year if conditions are good. This blooming occurred in spring, and my plant is now getting ready to bloom again.

Tornado Damage

Sorry I haven't blogged, but TS Debby spawned a tornado here in New Port Richey that messed the neighborhood up. The roar was so scary. A lot of damage in the area, including my yard. This is just an example. The cleanup is taking forever. Most of my fence is lost. The shadehouses are a mess - the plants not too bad. I guess they were lower to the ground. More later.

Vanda orchid

Here is a Vanda blooming happily in the yard. It stays outdoors in lots of sun unless it is really cold, then it comes inside. Look at that root system!

It was a wonderful visit to West Palm Beach and see my old friends with the Begonia Society of the Palm Beaches. Virginia is doing better, Frances was a spectacular hostess and hospitality-in-charge as I was so comfortable, and even treated to a wonderful breakfast - and even better, great conversation with her hubby, Keith, there too. The program I did was on "Tricks of the Trade" as I offered little tidbits of information in growing begonias. I brought a Hyundai full of plants and sold every one, and donated a nice 'Honeymoon Island' for their gardens. It will get huge and look wonderful. Thanks to everyone at the BSPB. I look forward to a future visit!

                                            
                                         BEGONIA SOCIETY
                                                    OF THE
                                             PALM BEACHES

B. 'Aripeka' - sister seedling to 'Honeymoon Island'

Begonia 'Silvermist'. A rather aggressive cane that can reach 5 feet or more, if allowed. The silver streaks and patterns against the apple green leaves is stunning, and those FRAGRANT clusters of bright pink flowers just make it special. An easy begonia to grow, too.

B. 'Silvermist'

                                  

I also grow variegated Plumeria. It was imported from Thailand and the leaves are just beautiful. This variety is called 'Maya'. The flowers are rosy-pink. It grows slower than regular PLumeria, but grows easily. Enjoy!

Variegated Plumeria 'Maya'

                                         

This is Begonia U521, and unidentified species from Thailand. When begonias are newly discovered, but not named or recognized, they are given a sequential unidentified number. The American Begonia Society is in charge of these listings.

This rhizomatous begonia gets quite large, as my specimen is outgrowing a 12" pot, and has nice light pink flowers on upright branches. It is quite beautiful, and the darkness of the green is amazing against the silvery patterns.

B U521

                                         

This is "Storm". He is the guardian of the yard. No squirrel, raccoon, stray cat or unwelcomed bird gets through his watch!

STORM

                                          

This is Jay, his companion in watching!

Hank RIP 6/2/12 He is missed!

B. 'Irene Nuss' - One of the easiest to bloom. Large clusters all year, very fragrant, can reach 5 feet here in Florida but easily managed much smaller. Did I say it just keeps blooming?

B. 'Irene Nuss'

A purple Epidendrum orchid in full winter bloom - inside during a cold snap as they do not like anything under 32F. I have never been able to positively identify it....perhaps E. secundum.

Epidendrum Orchid

                                                 

This is B. 'Careless Whisper'. It is my hybrid between a rhizomatous and a thick-stem. You can take stem cuttings OR leaves, and the white blooms come in profusion during spring. Awarded Best New Hybrid 2000 A.B.S.

B. 'Careless Whisper'

 

B. 'Withlacoochee' - A Florida hybrid that is a trailing begonia. This older begonia grows easily, has beautiful, small clusters of white flowers and works well in a basket and as a ground cover in shady conditions.

B. 'Withlacoochee'

Pro Mix HP - This is my standard potting mix for Begonias. I add some additional perlite and small charcoal bits to the mix for better drainage. For nutrition, I also add bone meal (0-10-0) that helps with blooming, and magnesium sulfate powder to help keep leaves green and lush.

Pro Mix HP

B. 'Talynn Flaherty'

B. 'Talynn Flaherty' - Another cane hybrid of mine, 'Talynn Flaherty', named for a friend's daughter, is a beautiful rather compact cane that is everblooming with stunning leavs of dark green heavily spotted. Yes, those blooms just glow!

N. 'Rio'

NEMATANTHUS - Also called "guppy" plants, these Gesneriads are so easy to grow. They thrive here outdoors without much care, just occasional feeding and protection from extreme cold. Nematanthus have tolerated light freezes in my yard without damage and can bloom all year long!

N. 'Black Gold' - my favorite!

N. Plum Pretty' - gets very large and is real showy!

Aeschynanthus micranthus

This is the Lipstick Vine, a Gesneriad or member of the African Violet family. They grow easily here in Tampa Bay and can bloom all year long. Requiring protection during very cold weather, by spring they bloom and bloom.

Chirita 'Diane Marie'

B. 'Aiko'

These are Chiritas, members of the African Violet family. They grow much like Violets do but tolerate freezing temperatures. Chiritas look and bloom best during our cooler weather but do just fine in summer. They are available all year here at the shadehouses.

B. 'Confederate Pride'

This is B. 'Confederate Pride', my cane or angelwing hybrid. It is not too tall, maturing over time at about 3-4 feet, full and bushy, and almost always in bloom.

B. 'Arabian Sunset'

B. 'Alafia'

Begonias in the shadehouse

This is one of my beautiful rhizomatous begonia hybrids.

B. 'Redington Shores'

 

 

 

 

 

 

B. 'Dennis Franz'

B. 'Confederate Pride'

B. 'Dennis Franz' - Sytch Hybrid

B. 'Island Magic' - Sytch Rex Hybrid

B. 'Kit Jeans Mounger'

Welcome to planetbegonia! I am a small hobby grower of exotic begonias, gesneriads, orchids and other exotic tropicals here in Tampa Bay, Florida - New Port Richey. 

In my backyard, I have shadehouses chock full of beautiful begonias for sale, year round. They range from 4" starter plants all the way to one gallon, two gallon and specimen plants. There are angelwings, canes, rhizomatous, heat tolerant rexes, hanging baskets, landscape types. Gesneriads include Nematanthus (guppy flowers), Columneas (goldfish), Chiritas, Aeschyanthus (lipsticks). Tropicals include Alocasia, Jatropha, Orchids, Hoya, Plumeria (including the rare variegated), and more.

While I am a middle school teacher by day, my customers are always welcome by appointment - to make sure I am here! The best times are evenings and weekend mornings. Located just less than an hour NW of Tampa on the Gulf Coast, my coastal city of New Port Richey is a bustling town that just stays warm enough in winter to allow beautiful growing. Feel free to email me at planetbegonia@cs.com for an appointment, or call 727-841-9618.