Michigan State University Extension
Ornamental Plants plus Version 3.0 - 00000196
11/12/99

Begonia x tuberhybrida - Tuberous Begonia


Height: 18 in Spacing: 12 in
Type: tender bulb
Flowers: Yellow, red, white, pink, salmon, orange

Comments: Tuberous Begonias grow in partial shade but
usually not as well in deep shade or full sun. Provide a
well-drained soil. The plants need frequent watering and
fertilization but excess of either causes flower bud drop.
The plants are quite brittle and staking helps them
tolerate violent weather. The single female flowers are
removed before seed forms to keep the plant blooming. The
females are on either side of the double male flowers.

Tubers are started in February or March at temperatures of
65 to 68 degrees. Start tubers, indented side up, on a
layer of peat. When new growth is 3 to 4 inches tall,
repot and cover the tuber.

The tubers are dug when the leaves and stems fall off.
This is preceded by reduced blooming and leaf yellowing.
Do not break off the stems but wait until they fall off
naturally. Injured bulbs are exposed to air to allow
healing. Wash tubers and allow them to dry before
storing. Dried tubers are covered with peat or sand and
stored at 45 to 60 degrees.

Propagation: Propagation is by stem cuttings and by tuber
division. Stem cuttings are made from surplus shoots
which arise from the tuber. Stem tips may also be used.
The cuttings are 3 inches long and are cut off just below
a node. Sand may be used as the rooting media. Keep
cuttings out of direct sun and in temperatures between 60
and 65 degrees. Rooting occurs in 5 weeks. Tuber
division is the other way to propagate the plants. Divide
the tuber so each division has a bud and use a fungicide
to prevent rot. Allow the pieces to dry several days then
place them one-half inch deep in sand. The new plants
develop more rapidly with bottom heat. Pinch off the
first flower buds.

Cultivars:
'Alan Langdon' (Blackmore and Langdon Hybrid) - Dark
red blooms are produced on plants having dark leaves.
'Amy' (Blackmore and Langdon Hybrid) - Deep pink
flowers.
'Apricot Cascade' (Blackmore and Langdon Hybrid) - A
hanging basket type with apricot-colored flowers.
'Apricot Delight' (Blackmore and Langdon Hybrid) - The
6-inch, apricot-colored flowers have serrated edges.
'Billie Langdon' (Blackmore and Langdon Hybrid) -
Bright white flowers have good form.
'Buttermilk' (Blackmore and Langdon Hybrid) - Large,
cream-colored flowers.
'Chanson Series'
'Fairylight' (Blackmore and Langdon Hybrid) - The white
petals become pink at the edges.
'Harlequin' (Blackmore and Langdon Hybrid) - White
flowers have a pink edge.
'Illumination Series'
'Jean Blair' (Blackmore and Langdon Hybrid) - The
yellow petals are edged with red.
'Lancelot' (Blackmore and Langdon Hybrid) - Creamy-white
flowers.
'Lou Anne' (Blackmore and Langdon Hybrid) - A hanging
basket type with pink flowers.
'Mardi Gras' (Blackmore and Langdon Hybrid) - A picotee,
white flowers are edged with red.
'Memory Series'
'Memory Scarlet' (Vis. 1).
'Mr. Steve' (Blackmore and Langdon Hybrid) - White
flowers have petals edged with dark pink.
'Nell Gwynne' (Blackmore and Langdon Hybrid) - Vigorous
production of buff-colored flowers.
'Non-stop Series'
'Non-stop Bright Red' (Vis. 5).
'Musical Series'
'Musical Mix' (Vis. 2).
'Musical Rose' (Vis. 3).
'Musical Scarlet' (Vis. 4).
'Ophelia' (Blackmore and Langdon Hybrid) - A hanging
basket type with white flowers.
'Panorama Orange'
'Panorama Apricot' (Vis. 6).
'Pin-up'
'Pink Champagne' (Blackmore and Langdon Hybrid) - Very
pale pink, ruffled flowers.
'Primrose' (Blackmore and Langdon Hybrid) - Pale yellow
flowers of good form.
'Scentiment TM Blush' - Pale pink flowers, hanging basket
type. Flowers are fragrant.
'Sceptre' (Blackmore and Langdon Hybrid - Orange flowers
have scalloped petals.
'Sea Coral' (Blackmore and Langdon Hybrid) - Coral-
colored flowers have many petals.
'Sugar Candy' (Blackmore and Langdon Hybrid) - Vigorous
plants produce many pink flowers.
'Tahiti' - Orange flowers.
'Yellow Sweety' (Blackmore and Langdon Hybrid) - A
hanging basket type with yellow flowers.
'Zulu' (Blackmore and Langdon Hybrid) - Dark red flowers.

References for Cultivars: Lowell C. Ewart, 1997 Flower
Seed Trials, Michigan State University. White flower Farm
1999.


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