I'm trying Red Dragon Wing and B. boliviensis from seed this year, though I have a strong history of killing begonias. Is anyone else growing them this year?

I dug up and saved 3 of my dragon wings last fall and have kept them in the house all winter, under lights. When they get too tall to fit on the shelves, I chop them off. So far, I haven't killed them. They're driving me nuts, though, between needing watered constantly and dropping flowers everywhere. What a mess!


Karen

They look very healthy. I might buy a couple of plants. Need the space for tomatoes & petunias under lights

I will be interested in how the begonia bolivienses germinates and grows.
I have a few seeds from the NARGS swap. They are so tiny-looks like a few specks of dust in the envelope!
I am not starting anything which takes a long time. Going to do petunias under lights next month.

I happened upon some begonia tubers online yesterday, on sale and cheap. Of course I ordered a few. I'm not recommending them, as I've never bought from them before. They had some decent watchdog ratings though, so I took a chance.
http://www.bloomingbulb.com/se...

If my begonia seeds and bulbs all survived, I couldn't possibly use them all. I'm counting on killing a lot of them in keeping with my past experience with begonias.

Karen

I grow the Dragon Wing every year for about five years now.
I planted seed on January 14th. Here is the set up I use. They are in a greenhouse that is heated to only about 60-65 but on a heat mat set at 70 and covered with the clear plastic dome. If the seed need a bit of water they get spray from the hand pump sprayer filled with tea solution.

I fill my flats with redi-earth soil. It's a seed starting soil. Water with a soulution of Chamomile tea to wet the tray with the soil. I make the tea at 2 cups water with on tea bag. Then pour that into gal. watering can and fill with more water.
Here are my begonias today

Dragon Wings. Still small but looking good.

Bada

This is a new one! We shall see.

http://www.harrisseeds.com/sto...
The new Begonias are Ikom Bronze from Harris seeds.

Look at all the little baby begonias

Springcolor, how many begonias do you grow each year? And what do you do with them? Do you use them all in your own gardens, or sell them, or ???

Karen

Karen, I use them here in my containers, give away to friends, have a plant sale and some go into containers for a few clients.
I usually have aout 2 flats of Red Dragon Wing, 2 of the Pink Dragon Wing, 2 or 3 flats of the Bada. The new Ikom Bronze time will tell. These are new to me.

Wow. Do you have any pictures of them in bloom?

Oh yes!!



moca pink that I grew 2 years ago. Wintered over last year.


Most of my pictures are of heuchera!

Wow, they're beautiful! That strip of pink tuberous begonias is outstanding! Have you added that one to the database?

Karen

No, I didn't think to. I can do that. We have cool summers so begonias are easy here.

Definitely add it to the database.

Karen

I moved my dragon wing seedlings to 4 inch pots over the weekend. Slow progress.

I didn't start any from seed, but I always buy some for one planter. Love them

2014 Dragon wings are up!

Looking good Julia!

Karen

Much better then last year. Funny how every year is different.

Excellent!!