During the month of August and into early September our begonia fields are in full bloom. They are absolutely a sight to see. This year we have roughly 15 acres of begonia tubers that will be harvested in late December and available for sale in the beginning of February 2015.

AmeriHybrid On Top Begonia Fandango 

 AmeriHybrid Picotee Begonia Sunburst

 Hanging Basket Begonias in the field.

White & Pink Picotee Begonia

AmeriHybrid Picotee Begonia Calypso

Unfortunately at this time we do not give tours or allow visitors to our Marina, CA begonia fields. We hope that in the future we will be able to share the beauty of the begonia fields.

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Starting Tuberous Begonia Seeds

Begonia Seed Germination 

Sowing Media: Standard plug mix of 60% peat 20% perlite 20% vermiculite. Adjusted to pH 5.5-6.0. Wet thoroughly before sowing seed.

Sowed: Single or double in a plug flat or lightly and evenly in an open flat. Temperature: 73-77° F

Light: Begonia seeds germinate in light; do not cover seed with media. Provide 14+ hours of light. Ten foot candles are sufficient to germinate but 350 candles are necessary for growing on.

Humidity: During germination of seeds 100% humidity is required. This can be done on a small scale by covering the flats with translucent plastic or other covering, such as glass, that will retain humidity while allowing some light to pass through. If media is sufficiently wet, additional watering should not be needed during germination.

Germination Time: At 7-10 days the radical emerges and the flats should be removed from the 100% humidity environment. After 2 weeks, germination should be complete.

Fertilizer: Feed early with 50ppm N to encourage seed germination (studies  how KNO³ may work better than other fertilizers). Avoid high EC. Begin feeding with balanced fertilizer after germination.

After Germination Is Complete

• After germination is complete, the growing temperature can be reduced to 64-70° F.
• Fertilizer should be increased to regular feeding with 100ppm N from a balanced fertilizer source such as 20-10-20 or 15-5-15. Fertilizer can be increased to as high as 200ppm to promote growth but watch for high EC.
• Begonia seedlings like to be kept evenly moist, however, during later seedling stages water can be cut back somewhat to encourage root growth and develop a sturdier plant.
• If germinating begonia seed in open flats, the seedlings will need to be pricked out after 5-6 weeks and grown on in another container until transferring to pots 4-5 weeks later. Growing in open flats will cause the time to bloom to be longer because of the additional transplant step.
• If germination in a plug flat, transplant to the final container after 9-10 weeks.
• Media for the pot should be a loose, well drained mix that stays uniformly moist and contains a lot of organic material with a pH 5.5-6.0.
• Feeding for the pot should be constant at 100ppm N or occasionally at 200ppm.
• Feeding in the pot with a high phosphate fertilizer, such as a 12-55-6, will cause the leaves of the finished pot to be smaller. The plant will be shorter and stouter than with a 20-10-20 type material. The time to flower will not be lengthened.
• Lighting during seedling and pot stages should be minimum 12 hours. However, we grow under 20 hours per day and find this gives us a sturdy, well-formed plant.
• Picotee On Top® should have 20-50% of the plants in flower 15 weeks after seeding when sown in a plug flat. This is 5-6 weeks after transplanting.

Shop Our Tuberous Begonia Seed

Hanging Basket Begonia Seed | On Top Begonia Seed | Picotee Begonia Seed | Ruffled Begonia Seed

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Seed Germination of Tuberous Begonias

Sowing Media (Seed Starting Mix): Standard plug mix of 60% peat 20% perlite 20% vermiculite. Adjusted to pH 5.5-6.0. Wet thoroughly before sowing seed.

Sowed: Single or double in a plug flat or lightly and evenly in an open flat. Temperature: 73-77° F

Light: Begonia seeds germinate in light; do not cover seed with media. Provide 14+ hours of light. Ten foot candles are sufficient to germinate but 350 candles are necessary for growing on.

Humidity: During germination of seeds 100% humidity is required. This can be done on a small scale by covering the flats with translucent plastic or other covering, such as glass, that will retain humidity while allowing some light to pass through. If media is sufficiently wet, additional watering should not be needed during germination.

Germination Time: At 7-10 days the radical emerges and the flats should be removed from the 100% humidity environment. After 2 weeks, germination should be complete.

Fertilizer: Feed early with 50ppm N to encourage seed germination (studies  how KNO³ may work better than other fertilizers). Avoid high EC. Begin feeding with balanced fertilizer after germination.

Apricot Picotee Lace Begonia Seed Germinating

Shop Our Tuberous Begonia Seed

Hanging Basket Begonia Seed | On Top Begonia Seed | Picotee Begonia Seed | Ruffled Begonia Seed

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History of Scentiment Begonias – Fragrant Begonias

Fragrant tuberous begonias originated from Begonia baumannii. Begonia baumanni was discovered in Bolivia in the late 1800’s and later hybridized in 1938 by Brown Bulb Ranch, now known as our parent company Golden State Bulb Growers. B. Baumanni is the most fragrant begonia species. The first fragrant hybrids were located virtually by crawling on ones knees and smelling each individual bloom through acres of begonia plants. It was a very tedious chore that was straining to the knees and nose. Brown Bulb Ranch’s original scented begonia was called “Fragrance” and only produced single flowers. It eventually fell out of commercial production, only to be found in a few begonia enthusiasts’ gardens and greenhouses.

A reintroduction of the scented tuberous begonia came about in the early 1980’s when begonia hybridizer Howard Seibold approached Golden State to continue his work. For 50 years Siebold bred tuberous begonias for scent as a hobby. He had a passion to see scent return to the magnificent tuberous begonia flowers. Siebold was late in his years and sought a home for his fragrant begonias. Golden State bought the patents for two of Siebold’s scented tuberous begonias, Golden Anniversary and Sweet Dian. Our begonia breeder Andy Snow worked with Howard for years. Siebold would send Andy the seed of  his most promising crosses. Andy would then have Siebold’s breeding stock planted in the Marina begonia fields. They would then go through the crosses in the field once or twice a year, Siebold would stake what he wanted to be harvested for himself and leave the rest to Andy. The plants would then be cloned.  Scented begonia plants are cloned because the fragrance is so elusive.  By the late 1980’s the first introduction of scented begonias were produced for sale to gardeners across the US. Unlike the earlier types, these later hybrids were exceptionally fragrant and had the distinction of having multiple petals on each bloom.

Want to known more about fragrant begonias? Check out Andy’s blog post on Breeding Scent in Tuberous Begonias.

*The varieties are protected by the patent number shown and may not be propagated. 

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Starting tuberous begonias in small pots produces a plant faster than planting a bulb in a large sized pot. This method of planting begonia bulbs is great when its late in the begonia season.

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CalBegonias is your #1 source for beautiful Begonias! We were the first and now the only remaining producer of tuberous begonias in the United States. Browse our gorgeous begonia bulbs, hanging begonia baskets, and begonia seeds and see the difference in our California grown flowers. Have questions? Give us a call today at 1-831-728-0500 – we’re happy to help!

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Growing tuberous begonias is fun and easy!

Here are 7 helpful tips for growing begonias outdoors:

1. Start tubers indoors at least 1 month before the last frost date. (It may take a total of up to three months from planting the tuber to full bloom.)

2. Wait until the danger of frost has passed before you plant begonias in the ground.

3. When transported outside, plant in a location that gets early-morning or late-afternoon sun.

4. Water your begonias early in the morning rather than afternoon.

5. Begonias should grow 8 to 12 inches apart.

6. Many tuberous begonias have an arching plant habit, which makes them excellent for growing in hanging baskets or container gardens.

7. Make sure to keep the soil moist at all times. Allowing it to dry out will leave the plant susceptible to disease.

Looking to plant begonias in your garden this year? Check out our beautiful selection of AmeriHybrid® Tuberous begonias!

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AmeriHybrid begonias stem from a 100+ year old breeding program. There are more than fifty AmeriHybrid begonia varieties available today that are grown from seed. The only line we vegetatively propagate is AmeriHybrid  Scentiment begonias. Traditionally the objective of our breeding program has been to produce tuberous begonias with large flowers on strong stems, numerous blossoms, long blooming seasons, resistance to disease and vivid color. AmeriHybrid crosses are based solely on plant performance not by the size of the bulb that is produced. AmeriHybrid begonias produce more double petal flowers than any others. 99 percent of AmeriHybrid flowers are true doubles with up to 10 rows of petals. Our begonias also produce the largest begonia flowers in the world. AmeriHybrid Picotee, Roseform and Ruffled begonia blooms measure 4-9 inches in diameter, 20-30 percent larger than other varieties. In more recent years we have developed more compact plants with greater branching habits in our On Top line.

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Shop our selection of beautiful scented begonias!

1. ‘Sunrise’ Amerihybrid Scentiment Begonia

2. ‘Just Peachy’ AmeriHybrid Scentiment Begonia

Shop scented Begonia bulbs now!

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Here’s a look at our top selling AmeriHybrid® Scentiment® scented begonias! 

1. ‘Sunrise’ Amerihybrid Scentiment Begonia

2. ‘Just Peachy’ AmeriHybrid Scentiment Begonia

Shop scented Begonia bulbs now!

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At CalBegonias, we carry fresh begonia bulbs and tubers in an array of beautiful colors and varieties. Our begonias are shipped directly from our fields in California to you, and are ready for planting. Our most popular variety is AmeriHybrid® Hanging Basket Begonias. Their exceptional branching habit requires fewer bulbs to fill a container and offer a truly classic beauty. Our begonias are guaranteed to bring color and excitement to any porch, veranda or other garden setting.

Shop AmeriHybrid® Begonia Hanging Baskets now!

New to gardening? Click here to learn how to grow begonias!

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White powdery spots on both sides of leaves and greasy spots on the undersides are signs of powdery mildew. Powdery mildew is likely to infect tuberous begonias when environmental factors permit it. Crowded, shady conditions and poor air flow are conducive to mildew. Uneven day and night temperatures paired with dramatic changes in relative humidity can favor the development of the disease.

Placing plants at least a foot apart in an area where there is good air circulation will help prevent the outbreak of mildew. Stabilizing temperatures and humidity levels may be difficult to do depending on your location. Humidity can be reduced by not watering directly over the top of the plant and watering earlier on in the day.

Fungicide application can provide mildew control. Application of fungicides to susceptible plants before or in  earlier stages of the disease is key. Too early of an application on young plants may cause stunted growth and will result in fewer flowers on some varieties. If mildew growth is mild to moderate it is generally too late for effective control with protectant fungicides. In this case the use of horticultural and plant-base oils is needed.

A more natural, organic application can be applied. Mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda in a gallon of water or 2 parts water to 1 part milk. Spray plants every 7-10 days. Neem Tree Oil can be used as directed.

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Tuberous Begonias are the perfect addition to any garden! Begonias are frost-tender plants and thrive with bright light but little or no direct sun.  Begonias can be planted in the ground once the frost has passed, but they can also be planted in pots and hanging baskets, creating a glorious display for any garden all summer long.

How to Plant Begonias in Hanging Baskets

Step 1 – Starting Tubers in Pots: If you’d like to jump start the process, plant tubers in shallow containers or 4-5 inch pots. Make sure the potting mix has a light texture, a soiled mix, mixed 3 to 1 with builder’s sand. Place potting mix in sand in a plastic bucket. Slowly add water and stir until mix is moist but not soggy. Pour mix in container stopping about 1 1/2 from the rim. Next, carefully place the tubers hollow side up in the potting mix. Space the tubers 2-4 inches apart (1 tuber per 4-5 inch pot and cover them with 1/2 inch of potting mix.) Water sparingly and place the container in a window that provides bright but indirect light. Note: Tubers that have not already begun  to sprout when you receive them will usually show signs of growth within 2-6 weeks after planting. 

Step 2 -Transplanting: After the first couple of leaves emerged and the danger of frost has passed, transplant tubers to a shallow container that can be suspended along the house or edge of the roof. One Hanging Basket Begonia tuber in a 12 inch container makes for a spectacular and long-lasting display!

Note: If the stems of a Hanging Basket Begonia grow upright and refuse to trail over the edge of the container, plants may not be receiving enough light and you might have to find a new location for them. Also, if by any chance you have trouble with powdery mildew, you can prevent future outbreaks by spraying the plants with a mild fungicide (mix one tablespoon baking soda and 2 or 3 drops of insecticidal soap in a gallon of tepid water.) Spray this every 10 days during hot, humid weather.

Step 3 – Enjoy: Grab your favorite garden magazine, find a cozy spot in your backyard and sit back and enjoy your beautiful hanging baskets!

Summer Care Tips: Tuberous Begonias thrive in soil that is evenly moist but well drained. Fertilize plants once a month with a well balanced water soluble fertilizer.

Ready to plant your own begonias in hanging baskets? Browse a variety of begonias in hanging baskets from CalBegonias now!

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The month of December marks the begonia harvest here at CalBegonias. Our begonia field becomes barren and is a much different sight then in August when the begonias are in full bloom. Here is a little sneak peak into how we harvest our begonia tubers and prepare them to be sent to their new homes to be grown for the next begonia season.

 August 2013

Late December 2013

Meet the Green Monster. It’s sole job is to unearth begonia tubers. The Green Monster is a modified potato digger. It brings dormant  tubers to surface by a blade that passes under the begonia tubers and then lifts them onto a broad chain that jumps a little on a small cam to shake some of the sand off.  The lumps of soil, each containing a begonia tuber, is then unceremoniously dumped into a bin. Bins of begonia tubers are then loaded on to a truck and transported from our Marina, Ca field to our facility in Moss Landing, Ca.

Bin of soil lumps containing begonia tubers. 

Once the begonia tubers have arrived in Moss Landing most of the remaining soil is washed off and the begonias are dried, sorted and ready to be shipped to their new homes.

The Bulb Washer

A bin of begonia tubers starting the bulb washing process.

The washer dumps recirculated water on the tubers, two settling ponds collect the sand that is later hauled away.

Tubers moving along the bulb washing process.

Flats of wet begonia tubers stacked and ready for the dryer. 

The dryer is 3 standard shipping containers placed side by side and cut so that a hot wind driven down the center container is divided and driven back up to outer two.

Shop Begonia Bulbs!

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Enter Our Begonia Giveaway

http://bit.ly/15WCmoP

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The 61st Captiola Begonia Festival

The Capitola Begonia Festival is held every year during Labor Day weekend in Capitola, California. It is a weekend filled with fun activities that everyone can enjoy. One of the major events of the weekend is the Nautical Parade. Floats decorated in begonia blooms parade down Soquel Creek. We donate the blooms for the floats to be decorated in. The blooms are hand-picked from our fields the day before the parade by a group of volunteers. This year the group filled over 350 flats full of begonia blooms. 6 floats participated in this year’s 61st Begonia Festival. This year’s theme was Capitola Magic.

AmeriHybrid® Begonias hung from the Capitola Museum and shops throughout the town.

Capitola Community Float

It’s Wine Tyme

The Magic School Bus

Puff The Magic Dragon

Aladdin’s Lamp/Genie in a Bottle

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