I was wondering if anyone made a New Years Resolution to get more begonias or stay put with their current collection. Also which one are you hunting for?
My hunt is the Begonia Luxurian. With it's long slender and curling leaves.
There is another one I saw today that is worth searching for. Begonia Paulensis
To Get More Begonias - Stay Put? Which one are you hunting?
Get more more more of course. Everything sounds good. I want Begonia Vietnam for sure. I am waiting for spring so I can order lots.
The Vietnamese begonia? B. sizemorea?
Here was mine from last year. It dropped all the leaves this summer and is coming out with new ones now.
Is that begonia vietnam species U388?
I've been very bad. I preordered 30 begonias from Kartuz. They think they'll have pink freckles, a cane I have been seeking for a couple of years. I have about a dozen or so I'll need from Taylor's too. Plus 6 hanging baskets of rex begonias from Lyndon Lyon's. My husband will have to go on some business trips in early June.
It was U388 but had been renamed to B. sizemorea a number of years ago.
I'm surprised you could order anything from Kartuz since most are either sold out or not available the last time I checked (just a few days ago). I wished they had their UJR (upright jointed rhizomatous) available. I guess the demand is high.
I won't ask about the connection between your orders and your husband's business trips.
I'm staying put for winter since I am running out of space in the basement. I have added four more chrome shelving units this week bringing the total number of shop lights to about 80. Then with the spare shelves left over I could build two more units once I order some posts.
Taylor's still has it listed as u388. Do you like it?
I pre-ordered from Kartuz, for shipping in June. I know you aren't supposed to, but I figured it was worth a try. It was difficult since they have started removing unavailable items from the sale pages. I did a search on begonia, made my list, and emailed it to them. They replied that they will have most, if not all, in June.
My husband rolls his eyes every time a plant arrives. And if he's away, he never notices the new plants. He is under the mistaken impression that the greenhouse is full. I'm just going to give away some plants in the spring. Or something like that... Aren't greenhouse walls expandable?
So what are you going to buy in the spring?
Yes I do want B. sizemorea. I've seen it named B. vietnam somewhere. I know it is available at Taylor's. My last order from Kartuz was a bit of a disaster. I emailed them a list of wanted begonias. They filled the order to 10 rhizomatous plants which arrived in time before the frost. I placed them in an aquarium which turned out to be too hot so many leaves dropped or got fungus on them. I have since learned to space them out. Some were very prone to fungi and even when I put them in full fun in a vented aquarium they still managed to have fuzz everywhere on their rhizomes, in spite of sulfur powder treatment ( I don't have millstop). I am hoping they went dormant and will come back this spring.
When do most people preorder for the spring? I tried ordering from antonelli's this fall but they wouldn't ship it until after February and still took my money. I was annoyed and cancelled the order.
I have coming at some point from Taylor's soon: Lalomie, Foliosa Northern Lights They are having weather problems getting orders out they tell me.
EBay Seller: Staudii, Tiger Mitten, and Harmony's Nautilus
I seen yesterday at Taylor's website the Luxurian I wanted. That will be next.
B. sizemorea has some of the following aliases - B. U388, Vietnamese species begonia, and at one time B. longiciliata. I don't know if it has been covered in The Begonian but it has been hashed out on the Yahoo group I believe at least a couple of years ago.
As long as there is an inch of space, then there is always room for one more plant, right? Stack them to the ceiling and get a stepladder. No comment on keeping one's spouse in the dark.
Any time is a good time to get begonias as long as you have space, time, and are ready to deal with it.
I prefer spring and summer so I have the growing season to put some size on the plants before bringing in for winter. Small ones can be done in winter but it just seems to be more difficult - at least for me.
With the bitter cold temps it would be best to be patient and wait on the grower to ship when they feel it is safe. It would be terrible to come home and your plants are at your doorstep frozen to death.
I think that is B. luxurians with an "s" on the end and probably a typo on the B. 'Tiger Kitten' since K and M are so close together.
Yes, you are so right again. (s) on the end. That is a typo should be (k). Fingers are trying to thaw out still. Thanks Butch.
This was the first time I preordered with Kartuz - and they bill when they ship. I have a similar experience to Butch - the plants seem to do better when they arrive in the spring and summer. My one exception is Logee's open house in November when all begonias are on sale for $5 each.
I'm going to email Taylor's and find out what new varieties they will be offering in the spring. And this time I will not overpot them after they arrive. I'll see if they are willing to allow advance orders.
I think Tiger Mittens is a lovely name.
Upstate NY is in deep freeze mode right now. I wouldn't trust a shipment even with a heat pack.
I was thinking about traveling to New York state this spring. Does taylor greenhouse allow the public to come and purchase? Any other hot spots for begonia purchase? Rob's Violet barn deserves a visit too.
Lyndon Lyon Greenhouse, my greenhouse (freebies), Logees in Ct.
I want more cane begonias.. but in the winter I don't have a large space for them. I'm giving them a bath in the bath tub right now.. and then will make sure they drain well, before I put them back in the window..
I love all the begonia varieties, but have the best luck with the canes, since I can get them through the winter with no problem..
Hmm, I have the opposite problem. Canes are more problematic for me probably due to the fact they are too tall to stick under lights. The canes with dots are more prone to mildew as are the Mallet types. Almost all my rhizomatous are flourishing under lights.
Some of the rhizomatous - Caravan, Freddie, Boomer, and valida (in the corner). Morocco doesn't look too good because it had been in the cold garage for a few weeks. It looks like it is starting to put out new leaves.
I've never had a problem with mildew on my cane begonias.. The rhizomatous ones are lovely.
Lucky you. I just received my order of Milstop a day or two ago so I sprayed four gallons of it last night. I hope it works like they claim it will. I don't have problems with canes that have silver streaks or usually solid colors. The Mallet class is the most mildew prone so I've adopted the idea of treating those as annuals. If Milstop works then I can keep this type of cane (shrub) growing.
'Hugh McLaughlan' and an unknown cane. Avalanche in front seems to be do well under lights but if it is in dim light, leves drop and mildew sets in.
I read a study by a university (maybe Cornell?) on milstop and they recommended weekly applications. Like you, Butch, I have issues with some of the canes developing PM and other fungal diseases. I've had much better luck since I started my spray program. What concentration are you using?
The recommended dose - one TBSP per gallon. I hope I don't have to do much spraying after I get it under control - I don't care for spraying in the basement but if that is what it takes. At least it doesn't have the smell that Neem does.
How's your begonias look after starting Milstop?
Another Caravan I started from the mother plant this summer is now blooming.
I'm doing several things differently this year. There's the weekly spray of Milstop (1.5 tablespoons per gallon) and Cease (1.25 fluid ounces per gallon). I'm fertilizing with Neptune's Harvest fish fertilizer at 1:100 ratio every week. I raised the temp in the greenhouse to 65 degrees, and added more fans (for a total of 6) for increased air circulation. That said, the begonias have never looked better during the winter. I don't have PM, there are fewer leaf spots on the begonias and the hibiscus, and I have new growth coming on. Some plants that have lingered near death for years - Amelia and Gypsy Maiden amoung them - are thriving. But I may have killed Looking Glass yet again with overzealous watering.
Perhaps the best testimonial is that the Black Dragon hibiscus is still alive.
Next year, I'm starting the spray program 2 weeks before the move into the greenhouse, or earlier if we get the damp cold nights.
I have a few canes that look good (not great as they do in summer). Sophie, Pagoda, Irene, Orange Rubra, Lana, Hot Tamale are some that are growing and some are blooming.
Well I hope I can say the same thing about PM after spraying with Milstop. If it works as claimed then I will probably spray in September and October to keep PM at bay.
Here is one I'd love to take out of its container - B. variegata but fear of PM makes me keep it right where it is.
Did you see that Peace Tree Farms is recommending Milstop? Of course, they are charging about double what I paid. I figure it must be good if it keeps their begonias alive. Are you getting any fungal diseases besides PM?
Lloyd is the one who is preaching about it. I didn't know he was selling it too. I thought they were only wholesale.
I don't know if I have any other fungal diseases. Some begonias exhibit some strange looks in winter but once outdoors and they put on new leaves and old leaves removed, everything looks good again. I think it is cultural - too wet, too dry, not humid enough, not enough light, etc. Some begonias actually look better indoors than outdoors for example: B. turrialbae is about to fill the bowl out I moved it to and the leaves are twice the size when I had it outside. I have a plastic lid hovering over it (not sealed but supported over it). A select few stay indoors year round such as B. rajah and B. Martin's Mystery (although this one does great outdoors - I always lose it when I move it indoors for winter).
Here is U475. It drinks the water. I placed 3 leaves of Caravan in the same pot - all rooted but no babies yet.
Butch did you get your millstop wholesale or retail, if retail from where?
Well, now I can't find the listing for milstop on Peace Tree. It had a paragraph about Joe Volpe recommending it and it was $99 for 5 lbs. The price in last year's Griffins catalog was $47.50 for 5 lb of milstop. I paid $90 for a Milstop and Cease package deal at Griffins expo.
I got 5 lbs from Agriculture Solutions LLC for $55 plus $15 shipping (FedEx - huh?)
It took nearly two weeks to get it though and the box was pretty sloppy but no damage to the bucket.
Ok I guess you need that much or you can start your own retail store.
It appears it is not sold in smaller quantities. Maybe if and when it becomes popular then we will see it sold at the retail stores. I plan on taking a pound (or two) of it to our local begonia club meeting later this month. The first sample will be on me. After that I may start charging for it.
One thing I should mention is it is a very fine dust so it is easy to create a small dust cloud. So wear a dust mask or be very careful on scooping out a tablespoon. I don't think it is toxic but I wouldn't want to breathe a lot of it either. It is potassium bicarbonate which should be quite safe to handle (similar to baking soda except that is sodium bicarbonate).
If you look for potassium bicarbonate you will find many sources for it at very cheap prices but I don't know if it is finely ground (or is always that way) and if Milstop has other ingredients.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potassium_bicarbonate
http://www.drugs.com/mtm/potassium-bicarbonate.html
http://www.randbswinesupply.com/servlet/the-46/Potassium-Bicarbonate-1lb/Detail
http://www.amazon.com/GreenSense-Potassium-Bicarbonate-1-lb/dp/B00025H3BW
http://www.greencure.net/
Cool! We are starting a St Louis Chapter of the ABS in February. I'll talk to the member and see if they want some for a coop order. In the meantime, I'll have to stick with Neem which is not too bad. My tall cane ( i think it's Eldora) has survived so far. I can see where the fungus is on the main stem but with weekly spraying, it appears to be surviving OK. Another cane lost all its leaves but new ones ( without fungi) are growing back.
Yep, they will spring back if they have enough vigor come spring. The worst ones are the Mallet types for just curling up and dying. I continue to buy them but it is frustrating to see a vigorous plant in summer go completely belly up in winter.
What an interesting thread!! I have the most PM trouble with Sinbad, & Maurice Amy The mallet types are pm free in my GH-- but it could be location. A gentleman from the yahoo group is supposed to send me some milstop from his groups purchase-- I can't wait!! This really cold snap has left the GH colder than usual so lots of other citizens are unhappy too. I was looking over want lists, and if anyone is interested in trading cuttings or leaves come spring plmk. I have B. luxurians year old seedlings and B. 388 (Syn: sizemorae) also Harmony's Nautilus and Tiger kitten. I am with Butch-- I can never have enough begonias, closing in on 200 which is a drop in the bucket compared to some collections. I tell my spouse that they are "multiplying".
But Sinbad and Maurice Amey are Mallet types. I had U062 which did great in summer like Sinbad, Maurice Amey, Don Miller, Lynda Dawn, Benigo but most are goners when fall arrives (not right away, just slowly curl up and die indoors through winter).
http://www.bradsbegoniaworld.com/canes.htm
OH-- I had no idea--I always lumped those in with the "angel wings"--I will have to do some serious reading/ research--when you said mallet types I was thinking angularis and summer queen (are these even mallet types?) which are mildew free for me. I was obvously just thinking of leaf shapes. I received my milstop today and have gotten everything sprayed. I don't have Don Miller-- but do have the rest--Benigo and Lynda Dawn are not as pm prone for me as the other 2. I know a lot of my pm problem is cultural-- I am trying to provide better air circulation and more heat--now that the below normal temps are behind us for the time being. One thing I do know is that if they don't survive the winter-- i am not going to be replacing them--even in natural light they are difficult to over winter.
Arthur Mallet (pronounced Ma-lay) was a French man that this class is named after. It looks like it is a class of thin leaf shrub begonias. I thought I had read somewhere that U062 was a parent of this class.
I don't plan on giving up on this class but do recognize their very weak resistance to PM and need to act proactively in the future.
Thanks so much for that information--LOL perhaps if I read the Begonian instead of just looking at the pictures^_^ I am not giving up on them, I am doing my best to keep them alive. Like you I am being active when the pm presents and proactive in trying to provide cultural conditions they like. Seems they want extremely warm drier conditions while the rexes/rhizomatous like humidity. Cold and damp does not make them happy.This past week of 0° temps is a little lower than what I (and everyone else) was prepared for. The pm was mostly at bay until this event. MY GH is naturally humid(but not humid enough for some) due to the hundreds of gallons of water in the passive solar setup and the damp earth floor. My dryer is also in the utility room that the Gh opens into, it has an indoor vent for the heat and humidity factor. This is the first winter for this GH and I will be continually tweaking it. I am adding fans and have also added lights under some of the shelves to supplement the natural light. Hopefully they will survive till spring, if not, it won't be for lack of trying!! However, if my best efforts don't suceed I won't replace them.
This message was edited Jan 13, 2010 9:01 AM
Hi again Hillbilly-Gran,
I am looking for U388. Shall we try to meet again at the College of The Ozarks Jan 28? I can bring cuttings of some PM free canes like Snow on the Mountain and others ( I have to look up names). Perhaps I can buy some Millstop from you.
sounds like a plan--we can finalize closer to that time. I will be happy to give you enough milstop for a gallon, I mixed it by the qt and it goes a really long way. I will bring U388 and will d-mail you a list of what I have to see if there is anything else you'd like. I don't have Snow on the Mountain ...^_^
I went to Lauray's of Salisbury on Saturday to buy a "few" things:
Canes:
Nora Hanson
Victoria Woods
Osata
Adam Kennaway
Ethel Albertson
Cherry Jubilee
Joy Porter
Ken Lau Ren
May Queen
Pink Jade
Teen Angel
Mary Ann Flunker
Shrub:
Paul Bee
Deliciosa
Morocco
Rhizo:
Mirage
Fuscomaculata
Norah Bedson
Passing Storm
Jabberwocky
Green Jewel
Silver Misono
Sizemoreae
Some funky ferns and an orchid. Thank goodness it's a 2 hour drive.
Mirage
5 am glad to know that Lauray's remians open for local business in the winter. She won't ship ( understandably) past the fall month. Can't wait until spring!