As I mentioned recently on the Garden Objects thread, Ladygardener & Gita (enablers) have gotten me interested (addicted) in growing Begonias. Ladygardener tempted me with pre-swap photos of her Rex Begonia leaf propogation. Gita really placed the monkey on my back with a gracious gift of 3 Begonia pups (opening stash) at the swap.
This Begonia, whose name I don't know, is one of Gita's pups.
This LARGE and lovely, as yet unnamed Angelwing Begonia, is another gift (nail in my coffin) from Gita. Now I've found this new hobby (plague) though uplifting (high) is monetarily draining. First I had to buy some decorative pots (not Maryjane).
Now there have been some successes (rushes) and failures (deaths) in this experiment. In keeping with the protocol here at Begonias Anonymous, Gita I (confess) that I allowed your Beefsteak Begonia baby to die from an (overdose) of spring rain. While mourning the loss of it and another illfated Begonia, the Iron Cross, I have entered another overdosed sibling, the cane Begonia Lana, into Rehab.
When Ladygardener showed the photos of her lovely Porch Begonia collection, I felt cravings and just had to score some more. This lovely Lettuce Leaf Begonia "Bunchii" became my drug of choice.
Now Onewish joined the group of enablers by posting a photo of her Rex Begonia Escargot. I was HOOKED and went in search of my dealer. Another new pot purchase further added to the pain.
That devil pusher even deals in children by tempting me with this mini Rhizomatous Begonia "Little Darlin'". Another new pot was needed.
This cane Begonia "Looking Glass" also overdosed on Spring Rain and now is on the road to Recovery.
Another pusher turned me on to this Exotic Rhizomatous Begonia "Fire Flush". Another new pot was needed.
While searching for the next rush I went shopping with kaleidescope eyes and discovered the out of sight 720 Degree Begonia. Another new pot was needed.
Out to cop another fix my dealer introduced me to the Psychadelic Begonia "Marmaduke". More pot paraphenalia was required.
While Jonesing for that next trip I was haunted by visions of Ladygardener's beguiling Rex Begonias. Another pusher hooked me up with this NOID Rex Begonia. Being a talented dealer he sent me off with a pair of these. Fortunately I already had a stash of appropriate pots for these.
Now that same talented dealer wanted to become my main supplier. He also turned me on to two of these NOID Rex Begonias . My Daylily enabling buddy, Hart, christened this lovely the "Betty Boop" Begonia. More pot paraphenalia was needed.
On a clear headed day while driving to work, my drug antenna eyes spotted a street dealer pushing the irresistable "Bonfire" Begonia. A pair of these managed to survive the day in the car outside of my office. Fortunately they felt right at home in my old Iron pots.
Now I realized that all addicts need to develop street sense, so I headed over to Begonias Anonymous Headquarters aka the Begonia Forum. There I found this incredible and OVERWHELMING cultural and information thread by diehard begonia addict, BegoniaCrazy. It is complete with a great list of dealers to satisfy future cravings.
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/626497/
It's been argued that the most innocent drugs (pot and Begonias) lead to further experimentation.At that now infamous plant swap orgy, the Fern enabler, Bec_No_va, gifted this Maidenhair Fern to me. After experiencing the longer term effects of this intoxicant, I craved more. By that time the supply was depleted and I was left out in the cold like a turkey.
While searching for the elusive Maidenhair Fern, I fell prey to a pair of these addicting Ferns, Frizellae aka The Tatting Fern.
This message was edited Oct 8, 2009 1:50 AM
One lucky (or not) day while scoring my Begonia Fix at my favorite dealer, I felt the unmistakable pangs of Maidenhair Fern withdrawal. Lo and behold, look what was lurking between the Begonias. A Maidenhair Fern. After bringing the beauty home, I realized that it was a slighty different uncontrolled substance. It's a tender Southern Maidenhair Fern. Well, there goes another new pot purchase.
A number of weeks later I found a great stash of Maidenhair Ferns online for fall delivery. Those bare roots are now soaking in a bucket outside waiting to be planted in my beds.
This message was edited Oct 8, 2009 3:54 AM
Now I've read that addictions are hereditary. In pondering this I realized that I've always had a love of Begonias as I've always had some.
Was it my yet to be discovered Begonia addiction that led me to give my lady Begonia Hair?
This message was edited Oct 8, 2009 10:47 AM
Was I indulging my Begonia lust when I chose to give my cross dressing Ballerina Frog a Begonia enhanced TuTu?
How could I have ignored the symptoms? Was I so blinded by the eyepopping paint job on the Bistro set that I didn't see it as another excuse to feed my addiction?
It probably was not coincidence that my Iron pots that house the Bonfire Begonias held Tuberous Begonias for the past 3 summers.
This message was edited Oct 8, 2009 2:20 AM
Now all addicts need their crutches. In thinking about a suitable enviornment to store my stash next summer, I searched the Trash to Treasure Forum and came up with the perfect shelter.
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/fp.php?pid=7079746
I know that I am now a full fledged addict. As it is now fall, I'm panicking at the thought of allowing my market pack Begonias to shrivel and die.
Now last fall, as I was still then abstemious, I watched with amazement as all of you posted your overwintering activites. The debugging, the cleaning, the space making, the leaf cuttings, the trips indoors, the lugging upstairs and to the basement, the grow lights and the photos of Holly's family room. Fortunately, I didn't get to see Sally's bedroom.
As I am now approaching the dark side of this addiction, I find myself once again visiting Begonias Anonymous Central. As the first frost is approaching I realize that I'm running on borrowed time and need to act quickly to protect my supply. Where to start? I came across this marvelous post by fellow Begonia addict and famous Bulb Enabler, Gemini_Sage. This is the first of my twelve steps, which I plan to start Friday.
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/903602/
This message was edited Oct 8, 2009 3:57 AM
Step #2, Making space. You may remember me saying that I don't have any houseplants. Well I have 2, a 15 year old Clivia and a pot with 4 Amaryllis that I've had for 25 years. Since moving here 4 years ago my Amaryllis, which used to bloom like clockwork, have never bloomed. I also have 2 pots with Pelargoniums that I brought inside 3 years ago. They bloom continuously inside so, I cut them back once or twice a year and they have never made it back outside again.
I think that the Geraniums will have to go down to my unheated basement. This rack, which will have to be emptied of the assorted rick rack, including mom's velvet fruit collection, have to hold a good number of the 18 plants that comprise my stash.
Gita, If you can forgive my past deeds, I NEED a new pup of your Beefsteak next year at the swap or seed exchange.
Fellow addicts, if you want any leaves from any of my Begonias, I will be happy to share my supply. You will have to instruct me in this new phase of my addiction.
Onewish & Lady, I'm counting on both of you to keep me going with new goodies.
RCN, I promised you these photos some months ago, but the feeding of my addiction consumed all of my energy. Oh heck, I was still in denial.
My next Fix:
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/fp.php?pid=3586429
This message was edited Oct 8, 2009 3:32 AM
Some Begonias know their place. This Begonia Grandis is a gift from the Swap from Happy_McComb.
Begonias....my drug of choice.
This message was edited Oct 8, 2009 3:35 AM
LOL Stormy, you've managed to get a nice collection started! The tune of 'We've Only Just Begun' is running through my brain as I'm searching for photos of my "fixes" :)
These are all from our wild trip to Baker's Acres in Ohio last summer for our quick "fix"!
And more...
Long since gone but one of my favorites - picked up at Palm Hammock Nursery in Miami about 5 years ago.
LOL RCN, fellow addict! If there aren't any duplicates, I counted 39!! And 1 Fern. I want to see photos of where they are now and their Maryjanes!! I like that Batwing. They are all so beautiful. No wonder Ric wouldn't let you go to the Hardy Plant Society Sale. He's afraid that you will OD.
Another memory from a few years back...
LOL, I should have known that you weren't finished.
LOL, I believe we BOTH almost OD'd on that trip to Bakers! This is one of the beauties we brought back - Cissus discolor, Rex Begonia Vine - another which has gone to Begonia heaven :(
That one from Miami is really nice. Don't visit that Begonia Forum. Your checkbook will OD!!
Like I said, 'We've Only Just Begun' :) That photo was taken in June, this is what it looked like in October!
That vine is gorgeous. Did it die a slow death? Why do you think it died? Why do you think most of those you've lost have died?
I used to visit the Begonia forum regularly as well as the Yahoo group but after bringing in 55!!! Begonias a couple of years ago to winter over, I'm slowly weaning myself off these drugs :)
So, did you cop a Metallic Mist? 55!!!! Did you put on an extension to the house? Is the new Hot Tub part of your recovery process?
The vine died a slow death and a lot of our Begonias joined it :( Most of the problem is watering, or lack of it :( Our living room is the only place we have enough room for them over the winter and there's not enough bright light and humidity. A lot of them will go dormant regardless of our attempts, it's just their nature and if we don't time it right when we finally get them back outside they slowly wither away.
One of my all time favorites - 'Fireworks'
I did cop a 'Metallic Mist' - I'll have to get a photo. Probably one of my biggest disappointments :(
Here's our "fix" from our first visit to Baker's Acres in 2006.
