B. ‘Prestoniensis’

Culture

Original Botanical Description or Link to

Wiener illustrirte Garten-Zeitung. WienW. Frick. jahr.23 1898: Page 118-9 http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/52662 (translated using Google translate) New filled flowering begonias. The occurrence of filled flowers in the genus Begonia dates from the middle of the fifteenth century, when a species Begonia prestoniensis ‘flore pleno’ was generally cultivated, it has at present disappeared from the garden. Begonia prestoniensis was a hybrid of the B. cinnabarina, crossed with the B. nitida from Jamaica, and excited at the time a general look, and was very popular with extraordinarily willing blossoms during the summer and autumn months. The afore-mentioned spread of the bulbous begonias and their countless splendid hybrids has inevitably led to the forgetfulness of the above-mentioned species, which is, indeed, greatly to be regretted by the viewpoint of the plant-master, but not by that of the flowerists who have succeeded in producing more magnificent begonias by careful breeding, all of which have only desirable properties. Particularly perfection has been achieved in recent times by the full flowering varieties. We find in these the most diverse color gradations of white, yellow to dark blood red. The size of their flowers is astonishing. The last new varieties differ from the earlier ones very favorably, that the flowers, supported by very strong stems, stand upright and thereby produce more vigorously. Such The species, named Mrs. W. B. Hartland, was pictured in the Garden Chronicles a long time ago bred In Nancy, for which we would like to thank the company Pape & Bergmann in Quedlinburg. The latter designates this magnificent breed B. hybrida grandiflora flore pleno gigantea, because the individual, densely filled flowers to 10 centimeters. Begonia prestoniensis The florist, fruitist, and garden miscellany. London :Chapman and Hall, 1852-1853: Page 121-122 http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/29451 In the whole assemblage of stove vegetation, what have we to compare in point of usefulness or general display with the genus Begonia, all of whose species, with very few exceptions, flower profusely, and their multitudes of delicate pink or scarlet blossoms come in at a time when flowers are a real acquisition, viz. during the dark dull months of winter and spring? But although all the species of Begonia are ornamental, as a matter of course some are more so than others, and therefore advantage has been taken by the skillful hybridist to cross certain sorts having many good qualities, but which have yet some bad ones, with other kinds, with a view to unite all the good properties of the two parents without any of their imperfections. That this practice has been carried on successfully during the past few years, the many fine hybrids which we now possess are a sufficient guarantee, and of these we think few will deny that the plant we now figure is one of the very finest. It was raised in the garden of E. L. Betts, Esq., of Preston Hall near Aylesford; and Mr. T. Frost, Mr. Betts' gardener, states, that it was obtained by crossing B. cinnabarina with B. nitida, the former being the female parent. It will be seen that it resembles Cinnabarina in foliage and flowers, but that it differs from both parents somewhat in habit, which is of a neat branching character. The flowers are brighter than those of Cinnabarina, and they are produced freely all along the branches in axillary trichotomous cymes, elevated on long red foot-stalks above the beautiful dark green obliquely-ovate acuminate foliage. The male flowers are four-petaled, the female ones varying from five to seven. Like its parent, B. cinnabarina, this Begonia luxuriates better in an intermediate house than in the stove, and it is exceed­ingly impatient of syringing 01· drip: this is, however, the case with all Begonias; they enjoy a humid atmosphere, but by no means wet them over the head. The drainage, too, is a very essential point, for no plants are sooner injured by stagnation than Begonias, especially the tuberous-rooted kinds, and it is found that the varieties raised from the tuberous-rooted kinds are equally delicate in constitution. Mr. Frost states, that although he has raised many seed­lings from B. nitida crossed with Cinnabarina, there has been no variety amongst them, they have always retained the character of Nitida; but he is of opinion that the cross is to be effected. It will be found that B. prestoniensis seeds freer than any other kind, therefore there is a good opening for those who take an interest in hybridization; it also flowers nine months in the year, and doubtless therefore a hybrid between this and B. fuchsioides might be kept in blossom the whole year round; and should this desideratum be obtained, it would certainly be a step in the right direction; for what class of plants could then equal the Begonia, especially those with cinnabar colored flowers and dark-green glaucous foliage? With them the conservatory might be made gay in the dark months of winter. B. prestoniensis is a most desirable plant where cut flowers are in request, because the blossoms are carried on long peduncles, and there can be any quantity gathered without injuring the growth of the plant; and combined with its brilliancy of color, it is said to have a scent almost equal to that of the Tea Rose. Messrs. Lucombe and Pince, in whose hands the stock is, speak in the highest terms of it. The following compost has been found the most suitable for the growth of the Begonia :one-sixth cow or horse-dung, turfy loam, peat in equal proportions, and a moderate proportion of sand, and say one-sixth of well-decomposed or charred moss. The following Begonias ought to be in every good collection:B. albo-coccinea, cinnabarina, coccinea, fuchsioides, hydrocotylefolia, hydrocotylefolia manicata, Ingrami, insignis, manicata, nitida, odorata, parviflora, and prestoniensis.