Experimental Cross of Rex and Tuberous Begonias

Mcleod Valley Greenhouses: This is grown in canada and I took several years to create. The flowers are not on the rhizome, but on the elongated stems. The stems are not flat to the soil in this hybrid. This is not FAKE! 23 February at 02:14

John Boggan: Very interesting, I’ve never seen a double-fllowered rex hybrid but there’s no reason why they shouldn’t exist. Come to think of it, I can’t think of any begonia from any of the Asian groups that have double flowers.

Mcleod Valley Greenhouses: Sorry Ive not replied, James Missier, the rex line I was working with had a few flowers with extra tiny petals, so over the years I kept selecting and backcrossing these. The originals came from my mum, who was a begonias nut for years. They were not named back then, and so complex that the actual ID was obscure even then. Of course when I started to see results the excitement rose and a veritable sweat broke upon my weary brow, but I kept going. It’s all about the journey of discovery. These are addictive. About lowland growing I don’t know where you live, I don’t have any knowledge how they would do, but my summers are hot and dry. No mildew problems at all, so far. Cheers!

Mcleod Valley Greenhouses: Yes but have not sold any, just playing with it to see the best ways. The line also was selected for years to have flowers on top. I think the poor rex bunch have been a bit messed up with breeders not wanting to see flowers, or maybe the flowers were not long lasting so I understand this from a growers viewpoint. I wanted to change all that and have both long lasting flowers that were presented on top.

Mcleod Valley Greenhouses: John Boggan, thanks for your thoughts. Here is an experimental cross with tuberous. Only one or two in a thousand turned out to have decent flowers that lasted and were of quality.