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Begonias -
My Hobby
An Occasional Page
by Dave Staines |
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My home is in Walton, Peterborough. I have been
growing Begonias since 1980 and joined the N.B.S. in 1981. My
main interest until recently has been to grow pot plants for
exhibition but I have now decided to concentrate on growing Cut
Blooms. I have been fortunate to have raised a couple of new
varieties to date, these being named "Citrus" and "Whispers". The
most successful being "Whispers" which I am pleased to say is being
exhibited widely as a pot plant and cut bloom. "Whispers"
and "Citrus" came from the same pod and were first flowered in 1994.
Parents were "Primrose" as the seed parent and "Can Can" as the
pollen parent.
I am involved with
the Society in a number of ways, as the Librarian/Archivist, a
member of the National Committee and have recently been appointed a
Show Judge. |
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INTRODUCTION
The greenhouses at my home........... |
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PREPARATION
..."elbow grease" which was needed in
abundance!! |
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SEED
SOWING
The tray is filled right to the top and firmed.... |
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PLANTING
The tray will be immersed in another tray filled with
warm water |
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PROPAGATING
When the cutting was taken...... |
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CONSOLIDATING
Many of the cuttings are now rooted and potted into 3"
pots. |
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SHOWTIME
A close eye needs to be kept on the leaves so that they don't touch the
bloom ........ |
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AUTUMN
.......plants are starting to die back |
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HYBRIDIZATION
I use a fine hair paintbrush to transfer the
pollen.......... |
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...and Finally
Many are down to stumps........ |
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Whispers |
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Stan Dickinson |
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Dave Staines
2008 |
