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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Poplarville, Mississippi » Southern Horticultural Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #204450

Title: Breeding Cold Hardy Begonias

Author
item Pounders Jr, Cecil
item Sakhanokho, Hamidou

Submitted to: Southern Nursery Association Research Conference
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/15/2006
Publication Date: 9/15/2006
Citation: Pounders Jr, C.T., Sakhanokho, H.F. 2006. Breeding Cold Hardy Begonias. Southern Nursery Association Research Conference 51:610-613.

Interpretive Summary: Cold hardy begonias would increase the diversity and beauty of perennial gardens in the South. Diverse begonia species and varieties have been collected to study fertility and hardiness. Plants will also be used to hybridize new forms for evaluation. To date cold hardy varieties which have produced viable seeds includes ‘Kaylen’, B. cucullata and B. fischeri. The clone ‘Barbara Rogers’ (‘Friendship Begonia’) appears to be sterile.This information will assist in the development of new hardy begonia varieties for Southern gardens

Technical Abstract: Hardy begonia cultivars have potential as a new crop for Southern nurseries. Current begonia breeding efforts are focused on sections Begonia and Pritzelia. Diverse begonia germplasm has been collected to study fertility and hardiness.To date cold hardy germplasm which has produced viable seeds includes ‘Kaylen’, B. cucullata and B. fischeri. The clone ‘Barbara Rogers’ (‘Friendship Begonia’) appears to be sterile. Research continues to recombine traits from fertile hardy begonia cultivars with bedding plant types to improve horticultural traits.