Yes, I am interested in cuttings. In particular Lana at the moment. My only cane that is big enough to take a cutting from is Corallina D Lucerna at this time. I am remedying that's situation though I bought a plant light the plant stand and lots of plants to put under them so hopefully I'll have more later on .

The Frost king cane that you're interested in came from a man by the name of Robert B. Hamm in Sacramento California he has a nursery. And is a member of the Sacramento American begonia society . He returns a portion of the proceeds to the Sacramento American Begonia society for the continuation of species of begonias.

I found him on eBay

he was selling lady McElderry canes he has rexes listed now. Check out robe –-ham on eBay.

Please Let me know when you're cuttings are ready. Thanks so much !

I haven't heard Bob Hamm's name in more than 20 years, interesting. I was in San Antonio in the 70s and a few of us started the Alamo Branch of the American Begonia Society, still going strong and has hosted the Southwest Region and ABS convention many times. In those days I had thousands of begonias, but I was in the Air Force and had to transfer. Now I'm retired and in Florida, but still love begonias even though I mostly grow aroids and sansevierias now. I'd like to get more begonias.

B. Lady McElderry is new to me, while there are many worthwhile new hybrids I prefer to collect the old ones from Thompson, Kusler, Nuss and some other old-time hybridizers. Hybridizers from those days were very careful to name only truly new begonias with new characteristics, they might have named only one or even none out a tray of thousands of seedlings. I don't feel that's the case today.

Lana is a very nice, big cane hybridized by P. Lee in 1973. It's a Superba-type, which are bigger, taller and more robust than most other cane-types.

I'll keep you posted on cuttings.

Russ

PS, I'd be interested in a cutting of your Lucerna at some point, thanks!

Russ

I remember your name, glad to see another old timer like me, still around. I had several good friends in the Barkley Branch, unusual since I live about a thousand miles away. I still pay dues to the SW Region, but don't really know anyone there. For plants try Steve's Leaves, Logee's and Glasshouse still around, Taylor's in N.Y., and Rob's Violet House very good. Mike K. might have some good ones squirreled away, I do not think he is too active anymore. I don't know anyone who does just leaves anymore.

Hi woebegonia, good to meet someone from 'the good old days' of my begonia years. I was assigned to Tinker AFB in Oklahoma City but didn't personally know anyone in the Barkley Branch at that time. I think the Salisbury's were in Tonkawa OK, but not sure where Barkley Branch is.

Thanks for those source tips, just so happens I looked at Taylor's website last night. Not sure who Mike K is, email me at bluesea14808@yahoo.com if posting his name here isn't a good idea.

Are you still growing begonias in any numbers? I don't think Montana is your proverbial 'hotbed of activity' regarding begonias, I'd be glad to send you some cuttings as I have them available. Caribbean King is a nice, large rhizomatous type and I have extras, probably Caribbean Queen as well.

Best, Russ

Russ 1023, I'm so glad that you caught up with old friends on this thread that's always a fun thing .

Regarding Mr. Hamm's begonias he collects many begonias that he doesn't sell on eBay and he gave me his address ,phone number etc. so, if I wanted to get any of them from him I could . He also does trades and is particularly interested in the older species. It sounds like you have a lot in common.

He did tell me that the lady McElderry cane is one of Thompson's and he thinks the Frost King might be,also. However , I did find the first one on Brad Thompson's list but not the latter . That doesn't mean it's not a Thompson hybrid, it just means that he didn't include on that list . Below is a pic of my lady McElderry.

Russ, I think Joan (woebegonia) was talking about Michael Kartuz. He's still around and doing business and the last I heard will be on tour for the upcoming convention in LA this September. Brad Thompson works at Kartuz and is still churning out some exciting new hybrids.

I would stay clear of GHW though - takes months to get an order and usually wrong...

I bought 5 terrarium begonias from Rob Hamm a couple of months ago on eBay. Well grown but small and hard to find. There are some other eBay sellers that get their plants from Harmony. I think SOAK does (I haven't bought any from them but I hear they are good). PJ's Violets and Aurika are two that are good.

Greg Sytch in Tampa had been doing his box 'o' begonias for years but not sure if he is still doing that. These were cuttings only. You can contact him on the Yahoo group or Facebook (Planet Begonia).

Another possibility is Palm Hammock in Miami but the few times I ordered years ago was a bit frustrating as they'd lose my order and I'd have to call back to see what was taking so long. It is better to visit them in person and since you are in FL. it will be a lot easier than non-Floridians. I try to visit when I get down that way. A bit high but they do have quite a selection.

Pepper's Greenhouses (Accents for Home and Garden) has a few begonias as well.

hc, thanks very much for all those sources and recommendations. I wasn't aware that Brad Thompson was connected to Kartuz, a very interesting merge for the begonia world. Aurika is new to me, I'll check them out.

Regarding Greg Sytch, I don't do Facebook so I'll see about the Yahoo group. However, if he only sends 'his selection' of begonias I think I'd rather pick my own.

I have to plead ignorance in not knowing who SOAK is.

Rosaline, thanks for the pic of Lady McElderry, looks like a superba-type and I'm very partial to the dark-leaved canes. Stay in touch, I don't have the thousands of begonias I used to have, but glad to share what I have and I'm looking for more.

Russ

Aurika has been on eBay for years but only see them every once in a while now. Looks like they (don't know if it is female or male) have some items for sale now.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/m.html?_odkw=&_ssn=aurikab&hash=item2366bb1629%3Ag%3AvNsAAOSwAuNW3imN&item=152047392297&_osacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=p2046732.m570.l1313.TR11.TRC4.A0.H0.Xbegonia.TRS1&_nkw=begonia&_sacat=0

You may as well sign up for FB. Once you do then go join Planet Begonia if you want to post, else you can view I think.

As for Greg's begonia box, the way I read his notes is he will try to oblige requests but no promises made. Some reviews say they are very happy with what he sends. I visited him one year and he has a nice collection going - think I ended up buying 10 to 20 new begonias.

SOAK stands for Southern Oak Aquatics and they apparently buy their plants from Harmony too.

http://stores.ebay.com/southernoakaquatics/

Russ, You're welcome for the pic I hope you can let me know when yours are ready to I'll be cutting mine whenever you say okay, on if you prefer them rooted, give me about a months notice. Since I haven't done this before I be interested in knowing what's the best way to do it .

I would be careful cutting any young plant. Make sure it has plenty of roots to regenerate new growth. I've cut some young ones in the past - the recipient got a cutting and I got a dead plant.

hc, thanks once again for the info and the links. Southern Oaks is a special place, the quality of their plants looks outstanding. I don't grow many rhizomatous types and no rexes right now, but I saw some 'oldies' that I'm definitely going to get... Red Planet and Venetian Red. Do you happen to have a plant or leaf of these for trade?

I see PJ's is in Debary Fla, about 5 miles from my location. If I can't arrange a visit maybe I can at least pick up rather than have plants mailed.

rosaline, I agree with hc that you shouldn't cut your Lady McElderry, it's too small right now. I'll be glad to send your rooted plants as soon as they're ready, but lets wait until your cane is much larger to send a cutting. If it takes the rest of the summer it's fine, no rush. But maybe you have larger canes of other varieties? In any case, I'll go ahead with the trade from my end.

Russ

Hi ,Russ and Butch, I was not planning on cutting the lady McElderry. I'm in Colorado and I'm raising mine as house plants so they do not grow very fast here ,Or as nicely As they do where you are ,especially indoors . The cutting I was referring to is Corallina d Lucerna . I have three of those plants . Two of them are two years old and would be fine to take a couple cuttings. I'm looking for Lana If you have that one. Thanks for your help .

Sorry for the confusion rosaline, I don't have Lucerna so would welcome a cutting. I really like old, heirloom begonias and Lucerna is about as 'heirloom' as it gets, hybridized in 1892. It is prone to mildew.

I don't have Lana but I'll look for one that I can cut, root and share with you. Compared to Lucerna, Lana is a young gal... only 43 years old :)

My begonias...

Orange Rubra, Snow on the Mountain, Avalanche, Fabulous Tom, Grey Feather, Pinafore Sport (now called Torch), Hot Tamale, Cherries Jubilee, Cracklin' Rosie, Linda Dawn, Tamo, Caribbean King, Caribbean Queen. I think I still have Little Miss Mummie and a tiny Maurice Amey that's coming back well.

Russ

Well I don't have any of the ones you listed. The torch begonia would be nice. the Lana is mainly for my sister.I'm particularly fond of spots and reddish undersides and red blooms. I'm hoping that my Lucerna will bloom with the reddish blooms . Often though they might look more coral / orange. I'm not sure what the magic key is as feeding and that sort of thing to get the right color or perhaps it's the light I'm not sure . Probably both. Do you use organic soil or fertilizers ?

Russ,I've done an inventory of my canes most of which have been cut back, but by Fall I should have cuttings to spare of BS. 'Irene Nuss', a Kusler favorite, Nokomis from Marge Lee, and 'Red Compta', a great oldie. I called Palm Hammock last week to order 'B. Lenore Olivier', but it wasn't on hand and I suspect others of their big listing are 'iffy', and won't be available by Fall either. I'm looking for B. 'Silver Mist', I think one of Mabel Corwin's rare hybrids.

Joan, is it Silvermist or Silver Mist? I've seen it spelled both ways. Kartuz is showing it in their stock. I have it as well and it is a beauty.

The Thompson lists it as two words, a Superba, B. 'kentwood' x B. dichroa.I don't know how I missed that, I went thru Mike's listing in March, there was so little there, even in the gesneriads, my attention probably wandered. Thanks.

ABS web site has it as two names in one location and one name in another. I love it when they are consistently inconsistent...

Thanks very much Joan, I appreciate any cuttings you can send me. I remember growing Irene Nuss, Nokomis and Lenore Olivier in 'the old days', as well as Silver Mist. I recall the name Red Compta but never grew it.

I've seen Silver Mist and Silvermist, I would think if the Thompsons published it as two names in their big 1981 book, that's probably the correct spelling.

Thanks again,

Russ

This post was so nice to read all!

I loved reading this thread! I have fallen in love with the old cane begonias!

Belinda, you might post your 'wants' here, there are many begonia growers that can help you with getting begonias for the price of postage. Canes are very popular begonias and they're easy to propagate.

Russ