Begonia × tuberhybrida
{{Short description|Genus of flowering plants}}
{{Italic title}}
{{Infobox cultivar
| name = Begonia × tuberhybrida
| image = Begonia-tuberhybride Red.jpg
| image_caption =
| genus = Begonia
| species = × tuberhybrida
| hybrid =
| group = Tuberhybrida Group{{cite web|url=http://www.ars-grin.gov/~sbmljw/cgi-bin/taxon.pl?402300 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120630223356/http://www.ars-grin.gov/~sbmljw/cgi-bin/taxon.pl?402300 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-06-30 |title=Taxon: Begonia ×tuberhybrida Voss |accessdate=2008-11-11 |work=Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN) |publisher=United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Area }} (or Tuberosa Group){{cite web|title=Begonia (Tuberosa Group) |publisher=Missouri Botanical Garden |url=
http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=263000&isprofile=0&|accessdate=2019-05-06}}
| cultivar =
| origin =
}}
Tuberous begonias (Begonia × tuberhybrida Voss, also known as the Tuberhybrida Group or the Tuberosa Group) are a group of Begonia cultivars, sometimes regarded as some of the most spectacular of the genus.{{cite web|title=Classification of genera |publisher=Royal Horticultural Society |url=http://www.rhs.org.uk/rhsplantfinder/classgenera.asp |accessdate=2008-11-11 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080610162848/http://www.rhs.org.uk/rhsplantfinder/classgenera.asp |archivedate=2008-06-10 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web|title=Tuberous Begonias|url=http://www.burkesbackyard.com.au/fact-sheets/in-the-garden/flowering-plants-shrubs/tuberous-begonias/|website=Burke's Backyard|accessdate=18 August 2017|date=19 September 2013}}
One of the first hybrids produced was B. x sedenii in 1870, a cross between B. boliviensis, collected by botanist Richard Pearce and a species from the Andes.{{cite book | author=James Herbert Veitch | author-link=James Herbert Veitch | title=Hortus Veitchii| publisher=Caradoc Doy | year=2006|edition=reprint|pages=456| isbn=0-9553515-0-2}}{{cite book|author=Bryan, John E.|title=Bulbs|publisher=Timber Press|year=2002 |isbn=9780881925296|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=v-h4dovkqxgC&q=tuberous+begonias&pg=RA1-PA121|accessdate=2008-11-11}} Another species from Peru, B. davisii (named after Walter Davis), was also used in early breeding.
Nomenclature
The University of Vermont recognises the following 13 groups:[http://pss.uvm.edu/pss123/bulbegon.html University of Vermont: Plant and Soil Science Department]
- (S) Single – large single flowers, four usually flat tepals (flower part undistinguishable as sepal or petal)
- (Fr) Frilled, Crispa – large single flowers, tepal margins frilled or ruffled
- (Cr) Cristata, Crested – large single flowers, frilled or tufted center of tepals
- (N) Narcissiflora, Daffodil-flowered – large more or less double flowers, central tepals form "trumpet"
- (C) Camellia, Camelliflora – large double flowers resembling camellias, unruffled, solid colors
- (RC) Ruffled Camellia – camellia flowers ruffled on edges
- (R) Rosebud, Rosiflora – large double flowers with rose bud-like center
- (Car) Carnation, Fimbriata Plena – large double carnation-like flowers, tepals fringed on margins
- (P) Picotee – large usually double flowers like camellias, tepals with different color on margin blending with other color
- (M) Marginata – like Picotee only distinct non-blending line of color on margins
- (Mar) Marmorata, Marbled – like Camellia but rose-colored, blotched or spotted with white
- (HB) Hanging Basket, Pendula – stems trailing or pendant, large to small flowers single or double
- (Mul) Multiflora – low, bushy, compact plants with many small single or double flowers
Other systems confusingly use binomial nomenclature to refer to flower types, by the terms Begonia grandiflora, Begonia multiflora and Begonia pendula. The last two correspond to groups 13 and 12, respectively. The first type, grandiflora (large flowered), is then subdivided by flower form; e.g. Begonia grandiflora erecta.[http://www.1er-jardin.com/BEGONIA-TUBEREUX 1er Jardin]
Cultivation
File:Light yellow and red Begonia tuberhybrida..jpg
Tuberous begonias grow best in partial shade or filtered sunlight. Excessive exposure to sunlight can result in burnt flowers and leaves. However, too much shade will result in compensatory growth of foliage at the expense of flowers.
Soil
When preparing the soil for Begonia tuberhybrida, good drainage is important. Plant a Begonia in a pot with equal parts perlite and coarse sand. Remember that sand has an excellent soil structure as it consists of tiny spaces where air, water and nutrients can move freely.
References
{{Commons category|Begonia × tuberhybrida}}
{{Commons|Begonia odorata}}
{{Reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Begonia tuberhybrida}}
Category:Ornamental plant cultivars
Category:Taxa named by Andreas Voss
{{Cucurbitales-stub}}