This isn’t so easy......

8 years ago

Since I bought a few begonias last summer and have enjoyed them so much I have decided to add more. The only problem is the more I look the more I can’t decide. So many choices - colors, sizes, shapes. Some vendors descriptions were very helpful since some clearly stated some were easier to flower, needed more humidity, etc. it does help narrow it down - some. How do you guys ever decide what to order and from whom? I really want some free flowering cane types.

Featured Answer

hc mcdole

8 years ago

I agree it can be hard to make a decision when you first start collecting begonias as there are so many to choose from. Part of the problem is MONEY. Some vendors are $ while others are $$ and some are out of this world $$$$.

If there is a branch of the ABS in your area, I strongly advise you attend a meeting to get an idea on what the members grow and how you might like it.

I would start locally first thing including big box stores and local nurseries. Some nurseries have their best selections in spring and can get new deliveries each and every week for a couple of months so it is a good idea to check each week if you can.

If you buy mail order, start out with a small order to see how well the vendor grows and delivers your order. This may help you in future purchases.

Your best bet but also the most expensive option is to join go to the ABS convention. The sale plants are very low on cost, usually well grown, and a much larger selection than you will find locally. You could just come on sale day and leave after the sale if you wanted to but why not stay for tours, seminars, and meet some of the folks of the ABS? This year is in New Orleans in early April.

If you ever see a convention or SWR get together announced in the Dallas-Fort Worth area then do it to see the Fort Worth Botanical Garden Begonia Bank which has so many begonias to see grown in their glory! I am glad I finally got to see this in person a couple of years ago.

Here is a glimpse of this place.

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Comments (11)

timhensley
Original Author
8 years ago
Oh, the temptation! That’s great advice. I’m just getting anxious for spring and was looking on line. The nursery I bought all my begonias at last year is closed now and the space is being converted to apartments. They had so many begonias and starter plants for $2.50 in 3” pots. People were just loading up on them and I got caught up in the frenzy and I’m glad I did. I’ll have to be patient and see what I can find.
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nicholsworth Z6 Indianapolis
8 years ago
hc..what a fun place!..

tim..I love getting a deal..when I see a plant getting bigger and better that I didn't pay much for I get such a big kick out of it..
hc mcdole
8 years ago
nicholsworth55, it was a fun place to visit and I hope to see it again in the near future.

Just going to places that specialize in begonias is always great to see.

This is a wholesale nursery in Florida.

The polka dotted one past brevirimosa is my own hybrid growing happily at this nursery
nicholsworth Z6 Indianapolis
8 years ago
hc..another fun place!..so you can go to wholesale nurseries?..that's nice..the hibiscus overwintering in the kitchen has 4 big buds and not sure how many small ones..it dropped a lot of leaves when I brought it in but has survived..
hc mcdole
8 years ago
I've been going to the wholesale place 10 years now and buy a truckload of begonias for our club's annual sale. I guess this is a privilege of having a branch of the ABS to do this? It's a way to help make the club a little money (not much) and give the members a chance to get some new varieties. I get reimbursed for my gas, one night stay, and meals and put in 16 hours of driving and delivering to our sales location. A labor of love?

That's nice to have a blooming tropical hibiscus in the house. I have one in the basement that I am just keeping alive through winter. Lost my other one last year - GRRR! Funny thing if you call it funny is I bought one at Lowe's and the other one at Walmart - same grower but $1.50 difference if I remember right.

I wished they had these every year instead of the pink, orange, red, and yellow.

Let's throw a begonia in the post too
nicholsworth Z6 Indianapolis
8 years ago
makes sense that you're able to buy wholesale..yes that IS a labor of love..a lot of work..I've enjoyed having some "green" in the house during the winter..my hibiscus was on clearance at Lowe's..no blooms..I picked it because the trunk was straight with nice branching at the top..I don't think any of them were as exotic as your pics..summer still seems far away..I can't (or shouldn't) shop for 90 days..
hc mcdole
8 years ago
The two hibiscus I got were from Costa Farms if I remember right and they provide plants to Walmart and Lowe's. I thought it odd that Lowe's was $1.50 more but not that bad. Both around or a little over $20 for a 5 gallon pot.

http://www.costafarms.com/plants/hibiscus-tropical

I am going to start browsing the stores any old day now plus order any seed I want to try for summer. Saying and doing are two different things though.
nicholsworth Z6 Indianapolis
8 years ago
I've had lots of Costa Farms plants..Walmart is a bit cheaper than Lowe's here too..I live close to everything and look at all of it!..one benefit to paying more..you get the best plants..not the leftovers..
hc mcdole
8 years ago
They do provide quality plants if you can get to them quick enough before they are overwatered or stuck out in the hot sun. HAHA!

a few from last year
nicholsworth Z6 Indianapolis
8 years ago
So pretty..LOVE the red stems..