Here's my Maribel begonia. She's 3 foot wide.
My begonia collection.
This is Benigo.
This is Silver Sands.
This is my strawberry begonia.
This was not named when I bought it. I think is is Bethleham Star. Anyone think it could be something else?
This is Escargo.
This one did not have a name when I bought it. I think it is Silver Jewel. Please feel free to give input of the names of any of these. I tried to ID these the best I could but not an expert like some of you guys.
This message was edited Aug 28, 2006 9:34 PM
This is Fireworks.
This one is named Phil Corwin.
This too was un-named when I bought it. I think it is Sophie Cecil.
Helen Teupel
This message was edited Aug 30, 2006 7:25 PM
This was un-named when I bought it. I think it is Black Beauty.
Un-named # 2. I need help identifying this one too.
I really like the leaves on this angelwing. It's about 2 1/2 foot tall. The leaves are about 6 inches long. It hasn't flowered yet. Can anyone help me ID it without blooms?
Un-named # 3. Sorry for all the un-names. A lot of the greenhouses around here just sell them as "Rex" begonias.
This one is hatacoa silver. Thanks Butch for the help in the ID.
This message was edited Aug 30, 2006 7:22 PM
Un-named # 5. This is similar to 'Escargo'. But it has smaller leaves. Any ideas of the name of this one?
I bought this one at Walmart. I think it is Her Majesty.
Lois Burke in a hanging basket.
Beautiful plants, Kathy.
Shirley
This is a large cane begonia. It's about 3 foot tall. Some of the leaves are 10 inches long. Any ideas of the name of this one?
Here's a close up of the flowers.
That's all for tonite. I'll post more in a few days.
Thanks Shirley. I believe that I had sent you a cutting of the large cane in my last post. I hope someone can ID it for us.
Yes, you did send it. I can't wait to see it bloom.
Very well grown plants!
I think the last cane is 'Lucerna'. I've had it the longest of all my begonias (over 30 years now). Very easy to grow and hard to beat.
Un-named #4 looks like hatacoa silver or some derivative. Un-named #1 is probably 'Helen Teupel' (I thought it might be 'Marion Palmer' but I can't find a picture now).
Please tell us your growing conditions - lighting conditions, soil, watering, fertilizer, size pots, type pots, etc. since it looks like you've had a lot of success.
I agree with Butch, the last pic is Lucerna. Also thought no id # 1 could be
Helen Teupel. There's a slight difference on the coloring but still think it could be her. The pattern in the lvs is the same
I would like to know your growing habits too, your plants are lovely.
Jackie
Such beautiful, beautiful, healthy strong plants! Yes, please share your growing techniques, I want mine to look like yours.
Thanks for you help with the ID's. I do nothing special with the plants. All the begonias were looking great in the high heat. A couple of them are starting to fade with the cooler weather coming. The larger canes are in the shade next to the house. Most of my Rexes are in the greenhouse. It's been real hot this summer. I've kept a fan on during the day and water almost daily. The ones that I recently repoted have kelp meal added to the soil. Lali suggested a while back to use liquid kelp and powdered Neem. I recently got both and plan to use them weekly also. Has anyone used messenger on their begonias?
I've let several rexes go dormant last winter - temps were down to 45 degrees where I stored them. When the heat came they came back to life and look great. All of them are planted in plastic pots.
The Benigo was just purchased about 3-4 weeks ago for $2.50. Couldn't pass up such a good deal on such a pretty plant.
FABULOUS collection Kathy!! Bravo! You have done a super job with them! Wish I could claim the the tip of Kelp and Neem as my own, but that was a tip from Dr. Rehka Morris at the Florida Begonia convention in Feb. She mixes the neem powder with her water.
Here's the link for the stuff http://www.bytheplanet.com/MoreInfo/details.htm?prod=107142&PropPass=neem
Ok, so can you repeat the entire tip on those two ingredients plus dosages used? I missed that somewhere.
yes, it comes all ground in a bag (I think it's sold as a health supplement).
I'll try to find the thread where we discussed it... here it is http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/597972/
(not trying to hijack your thread Kathy - hope you don't mind if I post the recipe here too)
from the post link above
And in case anyone wants Rekha's recipe for trouble free begonia's she told us at the convention that she uses
Rheka’s Neem & Kelp plant food
1/2 tsp powdered neem
1 Tbs. Liquid Kelp
Per gallon of water
no bugs, no mildew problems.
I think it mixes better when you use tepid water.
the kelp helps with bugs & mildew and the neem acts as a systemic insecticide.
And while I'm not promoting the health benefits of neem - there's lots on the internet about it. Rekha said she takes the neem capsules every day and has been able to eliminate her arthritis and when collecting begonias in the wilds of Mexico, she was standing in a fire ant pile and not one bite! She thinks it is the neem she was taking made her scent one that bugs (and biting ants) don't like.
Maybe a new thread is in order. I remember Rekha saying (both in Atlanta and Miami) that she used Neem while in India as well (applied to the skin I thought) to keep leeches from attaching. I'll have to ask her again if she shows up at our next meeting.
Kathy, where did you finally find the neem powder?..Im going to ahve to come over and see these beautiful plants in person...you did a wonderful job with them this year...Judy
Thanks Judy. I found the neem at this site. http://www.bytheplanet.com/MoreInfo/details.htm?prod=BB6561&cID=&PropPass=neem I thought it was very reasonable. The shipping was fast too. I ordered it on a Sunday and received my order the same week on a Thursday.