Miami Begonia Convention - too good !

Just thought I'd do a bit of show and tell from the Miami begonia convention. Today was spent at PHOE, Butch, Joolz and I shopping until we dropped! And yesterday Candella (Cass) and I did some shopping there too, but I was in such sensory overload that I didn't hardly take it all in.

Along with all the other attendees! It was organized mayhem as all of begoniacs filled our carts with the beauties Tim had for sale!
Oh my goodness is all I can say!!!

I'll try and post photos throughout the week, but here's a teaser of a new begonia that insisted on coming home with me!
A beauty, b. sizemoreae, love it's whiskers on the top of the leaves.

Tonight we have seminars and a book signing by Mark Tebbit. His book, Begonias : Cultivation, Identification, and Natural History (Hardcover) http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0881927333/ref=sr_11_1/104-0755284-7486354?%5Fencoding=UTF8
is well worth having.

Then the social even is 'Game night' (Begonia Bingo? I guess so !)
So keep your eye out, I'll upload as many photos as I can, but wont get to resizing them for DG until later tonight.

hugs all around begonia friends,
Lali

Imagine being surrounded everywhere you looked by this.

And several of these!

off to the convention now. but I'll be back with more photos of the judged show later this week.
hugs all!
Lali

(parting shot of b. soli mutata)

Lali,
I can see why you were suffering from sensory overload. LOL Thanks for sharing your wonderful pictures with us.
It is so nice to hear you are having such a great time. Enjoy!
Patti

I would be like a child in a candy shop. How in the world do you make up your mind which ones to buy when there are so many?

Shirley

It's hard to decide, but I tried to choose primarily the 4" size. I did get a few of the larger 6" but that was the primary factor. (should be called the 'how many can you stuff in a suitcase factor')

Try kid in a candy shop with a MasterCard!

Oh WOW!! I cannot even imagine. I am so envious that you got to go there.
Sharon

Sorry about the duplicat posting gang, I was having serious problems posting yesterday! I've emailed admin to remove it, so perhaps it's best to post here.

Some more eye candy for all the begonia heads!

B. luxurians. A real beauty!

One of the thousands of amazing big leaved begonias. I don't know it's name. But look at the size!
the pot is at least 14 inches wide.

b. masoniana (one of the three, Help me out Jooolz, is it masoniana var maculata? - I don't have my book with me to look up the spelling etc)
the other two types are the more common 'Iron Cross' and the light celadon green one called 'Tri Color'

to give you an idea of the size of this exceptional beauty, in the lower left corner is a 4" plastic pot. The leaves were easily dinner plate size if not the size of a charger!

Here's a leaf close-up. LOVE this texture! Cant wait until mine at home get this big!
My 'Iron Cross' is pretty happy, but my other two are a bit sad at the moment with some powdery mildew.

How's this for exotic looking!

I think Butch got this one. I'll let him experiment before I get it. It seems that our hot dry summers would crisp this beauty in not time. BUT it is so incredible!

Here's one of the propagation benches. Look at all those leaves.

And a shot of some of the many benches.

WOW you Lucky Duck :)) Week of wonderful Memories ! I'm so happy your having a Blast ! I knew you would ! I can't wait to see all what you got !
ANd see my surprise too. Wink Wink :))
All the Begonia plants you sent me are doing great ! And the Av's, Streps and Chirta leaves too ! I'm think of plantsing some of the Begonias outside they grow so well here.
Thanks for taking time to share your fun and pictures ! Can't wait to see you. Drinve safe :))

Are those giants in the back begonias? WOW I keep thinking you're gonna fill up both suitcases and have to ship your clothes home. I'm with Allison - can hardly wait to see your choices :-)

Oh my, they are all to die for. I jus tam in lust. I love the hairy ohnes so much.

When do you come home Lali??

Of all times, I came across a too die for begonia. I did something today maybe I shouldn't have. I knew you were away and I know this beognia I saw would not be there when you came back. So I picked you up one. I just had to have it so I figured you did too. Watch you have it already. It was expensive too. I may end up having 2. LOL

Kell!! If she already has it, I'll buy it from you and kick in shipping!! I can't believe I've gone and gotten addicted again. ~sigh~ It just never ends, does it?!
Lali, have fun down there. When you pass by West Palm, tell everybody I miss them. ;)

Barb

Kell quick show me a photo! you're such a doll!

Well Barb, we are talking about a really big one. LOL. I wish I could get a pic of the entire plant but it is raining so I have left them in the car. And the pic I took of the name didn't come out so I have to wait till the morning to go out and get it. I was in a frenzy at the store and it is a blurr. LOL

My heart skipped a beat when I saw them. I think they are about 4 ft plus.

The leaves are huge.

And they have the cutest little tufts in the center by the stem.

It's taking a while for me to download a 2GB card but here are a few pictures of the convention and Palm Hammock.

Some bowl gardens at PH.

Some more.

And more. Sizemorea in front right of this greenhouse.

Growing on the wall along with ferns.

A begonia in a limestone sink framed by the Jade vine.

Here is a close up of a small begonia ('Pink Surprise'?) in a limestone block.

Convention displays. Maculata that was over 5 foot tall including pot.

'Miniperba' - what a beauty.

Closer up on 'Miniperba'.

Some big begonias at the show.

A terrarium exotic one.

Hey Butch! Keep em' coming!

Kell, that one looks like Rudy's Luxurians or one of his lux. hybrids. I can't wait to see it. (and no, I don't have it)
Who is the grower?

An extra large 'Cowardly Lion'

Excellent basket of miniature bonsai types