Many people mean that begonias are easier to spring up than other popular herbaceous ornamental plant because they can be grown from seed or foliage , stem , rootstock , or tuber cuttings ( Figure 1 ) . Begonia species and varieties are lie with for their progressive tense , monoecious flush ( build 2 and 3 ) . It is leisurely for the stock breeder to do self - fertilization and cross - dressing when there are both manlike and distaff flower on the same plant but not on the same bloom .
Anyone in Florida who runs a greenhouse , works in landscaping , or wants to grow their own begonias should read this EDIS publication . This guide will go into detail on how to manifold begonia via pollination / fertilization . Go to A Beginner ’s Guide to Begonias : Vegetative Propagation to learn more about how to develop begonias from shank and leave . you may pollinate and feed your own begonias in two ways : the flower remotion model and the coppice method … . For more information on begonias in Florida , check out A Beginner ’s Guide to Begonias : Classification and Diversity .
As a budding begonia enthusiast , I used to find name begonia seeds to be quite vex . The midget , rubble - comparable subatomic particle all expect indistinguishable to my untrained middle But with more experience bring up these beautiful plant , I ’ve become adept at distinguishing the intricate inside information of begonia seed
In this comprehensive guide , I ’ll share everything I ’ve learned about decode what begonia seeds look like . From embodiment and size to color and grain , we ’ll uncover all the telling features that gear up begonia seeds apart . build up yourself with knowledge – and a hyperbolize glass – as we research the fantastic macrocosm of begonia source identification !
Common Physical Characteristics of Begonia Seeds
While there are over 1,800 unique begonia species , the seeds partake in some typical physical trait :
Size
Shape
The shape can diverge but common form are oval elliptical , or on an irregular basis circular .
Some have a slightly curved or drug-addicted tip on one end
Color
Mature begonia seeds wander from white to brown in color , with shades of cream , jaundiced , orangish and ruby-red possible as well .
Darker seeds tend to designate maturity .
Texture
Most have a suave , shining surface . However , some may have tiny ridges or bumps .
A few species have fine hair or hooks on the seed coat .
Notable Features
Some ejaculate have a pocket-sized annexe - like structure to help wind dispersal .
The germ capsule or pod can also be typical on certain species .
Now that we ’ve covered the general timber of begonia seeds , permit ’s go through the recognition process step - by - stair .
How to Identify Begonia Seeds in 3 Steps
Step 1: Examine Shape and Size
The first thing to measure is the overall contour and dimensions of the semen .
practice a magnifying glassful or macro lens to get a close look .
Compare the shape and proportionality to reference photos of unlike begonia seed .
The size of it can offer hints too . For example , large seeds over 2 mm likely amount from crowing - flowered species .
Step 2: Inspect Color and Texture
Next , take a look at the seed color and Earth’s surface grain .
This can variegate greatly among begonia specie .
Texture - wise , determine if the seed coat is smooth or unorthodox .
See if you may match the color / texture combo to a known species .
Step 3: Identify Special Features
Finally , attend nearly for any separate characteristics :
Check for wings , hooks , haircloth or unique pod .
Make banker’s bill of any stripe , dots , or diversification too .
These special traits can help nail the exact species .
With practice , you ’ll be capable to fly through these three steps and accurately ID begonia seeds in no meter .
Common Begonia Seed Identification Challenges
However , begonia cum identification does come with a few challenge :
They ’re exceedingly small – difficult to manage and examine .
Many specie have similar characterless seeds .
Variety within a mintage can occur .
Immature seeds may miss classic traits .
Still , do n’t let those obstacle discourage you ! Here are some lead to defeat them :
Use a tone magnifying trash and good lighting .
Compare to multiple reference pic to spot hour divergence .
Focus on mature , dark - discolor seeds when useable .
Identify seeds from parent works whenever possible .
Pay attention to subtle characteristics like seminal fluid shape and size .
With recitation and patience , identifying begonia seeds gets much easier . Starting with rough-cut species helps build sureness too .
A Quick Guide to 5 Popular Begonia Seeds
To give you a leg up , get ’s go through some of the most wide grown begonia species and their distinctive seeds :
Rex Begonia
ellipse , chubby condition
White to brown color
Smooth surface
0.5 - 1 millimetre long
Wax Begonia
Tiny , oblong shape
White colouring
Some have fine hairs
Under 0.5 mm long
Tuberous Begonia
Oval or irregularly shaped
ruddy - chocolate-brown color
ridge or wrinkle grain
0.5 - 1.5 millimetre long
Dragon Wing Begonia
Kidney - shape
lily-livered - brown colouration
fly capsule
1 - 2 mm long
Rhizomatous Begonia
Elliptical frame
ointment to brown dark glasses
Smooth or lightly ridged
1 - 1.5 millimetre long
With this quick guide imprint , place vernacular begonia seed will be a breeze .
Storing Begonia Seeds Correctly
Once you ’ve harvest mature begonia seed , proper depot is essential for viability :
Let seeded player fully mature and dry on the plant first .
Place seeds in breathable container like paper or interlocking . Avoid plastic .
Store containers in nerveless , dark office . Refrigeration prolongs viability .
For longsighted - term storage , tot silica pack to the container to immerse moisture .
Avoid freezing , high-pitched humidity and frequent temperature wavering .
Exciting Uses for Your Begonia Seeds
Once you ’ve master begonia seeded player ID and computer storage , here are some fun ways to utilise your bounty :
take up raw begonia plants – arise an interminable supplying from seed !
Trade seed with fellow begonia fancier .
make unique hybrids and cultivars .
Participate in begonia societies and competitions .
conserve rare , heirloom varieties by distribute them .
Sell or give away extra seeds .
The opening are endless when you harness the remarkable might within those lilliputian begonia seeds !
Experience the Thrill of Begonia Seed Identification
From typical SHAPE and surface textures to winged pod and unusual semblance , begonia semen reveal a microcosm of diversity wait to be attain . So grab your magnifier , tap into that curiosity , and connect me in explore the eternal wonders of begonia seeds !
Seed Production via Hand Pollination
Begoniascan be propagate through seeds . A exclusive pod can raise hundreds of seeds , which makes it easy to make enough semen cloth for extension . To make seeds , plants need to pollinate themselves . Most begonia are self - compatible , which imply that pollen from manly efflorescence on one flora can successfully pollinate and fertilize distaff efflorescence on the same plant life . In social club to control ego - pollenation occurs , manual ford are generally require for pollination .
pollenation is when pollen moves from the manful parts of flowers ( anther ) to the distaff parts ( stain ) of the same or different prime . This is the part of the facts of life process that needs help from people to get the traits that masses want . The male and female reproductive organs of the Begonia plant are on unlike flowers , which ready it much less likely that the plant will pollenate itself without aid ( Figure 2 and 3 ) . On the same works , you’re able to find both male and distaff flowers , and the plant can pollenate itself . Begonia plants course endeavor to keep from pollinating themselves by either protandry , in which the male flush undefended before the female flowers , or protogyny , in which the female blossom open before the Male . For instance , when clonal plants are planted at different time , the manful flowers on one plant flower at the same meter as the female flowers on another plant , this is shout self - pollination . Pollinators are what make this happen .
After female peak are pollinated , fertilization occurs inside the ovary . Sperm from pollen and egg from an ovule link together to imprint a babe . This is called fertilization . Fertilization does not require human intervention because it go on of course in virtually every living organism on the planet . When the pollen grain hits the stigma , pollination is over . Fertilization starts when the pollen tube forms to follow the sperm cadre down the style to the ovary , where the testis is . There are two method acting to pollinate begonia , the flower removal method acting and the brush method acting . The following steps will detail how to successfully pollenate begonia flower using both method .
3 . light brush the assembling of anther onto the stigma of the distaff efflorescence . Be careful not to sweep too hard , because you may damage the distaff generative organs ( Figure 6 ) .
4 . Make trusted you keep good records by putting the male mintage , female species , and date of hybridize on a tag . Fasten the tatter around the female prime . Once pollination and fertilization are done , the tepals of distaff flowers incline to come down off the flora . This is why you need to make indisputable the tatter is close to the female bloom ( see Figure 7 ) .
5 . Observe the heyday every few days to see if pollenation was successful . You will first see the tepals of the distaff peak commence to wilt and separate from the receptacle if you are successful . A toasting of the peduncle follows as the flora shorten off nutrients from the prime ( Figure 9 ) . Once the peduncle turns brown , the bloom can be taken off by hand or left to turn brown and decrease off on its own .
4 . If done properly , you will notice the pollen resting on the stigma of the female flower . ensure you keep adept track record by putting the male species , female coinage , and day of the month of crossing on a tag . Fasten rag around the distaff flower .
5 . take note the female flower every few days to see if pollenation was successful . You will first see that the tepal of the female flower start to wilt and separate from the receptacle if it ferment . A browning of the peduncle keep up as the plant cuts off nutrient from the bloom ( shape 9 ) . Once the peduncle turns brown , the heyday can be taken off by mitt or left to ferment brown and fall off on its own .
Problems with Sexual Propagation through Seeds
Begonia is highly heterozygous , unlike some annual inbred ornamentals with perfect flowers . This mean that most begonia plant life have a sundry transmitted scope . This means that even after ego - pollination , the plant that grow from their seeds will not be exactly like the parent . Progeny seedling will variegate greatly and tend to disagree from the parents . Another problem with sexual reproduction is that begonia semen are very small ( 15–20 atomic number 12 per 1000 seed ) ( anatomy 10 ) . To put it another room , a gram of wax begonia ( Begonia Semperflorens - cultorum ) might have about 88,000 seeds and a gram of tuber begonia ( B. × tuber hybrid ) . In addition , begonia seeds can not be stored wellunless proper measuresare aim ( Haba 2015 ) . Attention should alsobegiven to the source caliber for different varieties . Some type of seeds may stay hibernating for a prospicient time , while other seeds may not grow well because of problems with their development .
Ginori , J. , A. Huo , Z. Deng , and S. Wilson . 2020 . “ A Beginner ’s Guide to Begonias : Vegetative Propagation . ” EDIS 2021 . In prep .
Ginori , J. , A. Huo , and C. R. Warwick . 2020 . A Beginner ’s pathfinder to Begonias : Classification and Diversity . EDIS 2020 ( 1).https://doi.org/10.32473 / edis - ep581 - 2020
Haba , S. R. ( 2015 ) . Conservation of Begonia Germplasm through Seeds : word-painting of Germination and Vigor in Different Species . Master ’s Thesis , The Ohio State University .
Hartmann , H. T. , F. T. Davies , R. L. Geneve , and S. B. Wilson . 2018 . Hartmann & Kester ’s Plant Propagation : Principles and Practices ( Ninth Edition ) . Pearson .
Pounders , C. T. , H. F. Sakhanokho , and L. M. Nyochembeng . 2015 . “ Begonia × semperflorens FB08 - 59 and FB08 - 163 Clonal Germplasm . ” HortScience 50 ( 1 ): 145–146.https://doi.org/10.21273 / HORTSCI.50.1.145
Release Date : May 18 , 2022
Part of A Beginners Guide to Begonias
This document is ENH1355 , one of a serial publication of the Environmental Horticulture Department , UF / IFAS Extension . Original publication engagement May 2022 . inspect the EDIS website at https://edis . ifas . ufl . edu for the currently support version of this publication .
Heqiang Huo is an adjunct professor in the Environmental Horticulture Department at the UF / IFAS Mid - Florida Research and Education Center . Zhanao Deng is a professor in the Environmental Horticulture Department at the UF / IFAS Gulf Coast REC . And Sandra Wilson is a prof in the Environmental Horticulture Department at UF / IFAS Extension in Gainesville , FL 32611 . Julian Ginori is a postgraduate inquiry assistant .
