Cultivar

B. ‘Adonis’

Photos

1 photo

Identity

Genus: Begonia
Name: B. ‘Adonis’
Originator: Heal
Date of Origin: 1883
Place: England
Country: UK
Region: Europe
Plant Type: Hiemalis
Female Parent: B. unidentified cv.
Male Parent: B. ‘John Heal’
Synonyms and Comments: female parent a tuberous type
Publication Reference: K; WBHC-WW
Article References: Revue Horticole, Anne 1890 (translated via Google Tranlate); The century supplement to the dictionary of gardening… by Geo. Nicholson [et al.]. Hyde Park, Mass. Geo. T. King ;1901. Page 138-42 http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/48615

Plant

Description: Revue Horticole, Anne 1890 (translated via Google Tranlate) B. Adonis: When one thinks of the immense legion of Begonias cultivated: types, species, varieties, hybrids, one might think that this genus is almost exhausted, and has nothing to give. It is not so, however. Begonia 'Adonis', one of the last products of hybridization, is at the same time one of the best. The confident horticulturist is entitled to wonder what wonders science and the future hold in the plants of this family. Hybrid between a fertile summer-flowering tuberous Begonia by the pollen of Begonia John Heal, the plant which occupies us, by its time of flowering, presents itself as the precursor of a new breed with winter blooming. It is, so to speak, a ring of the chain which will connect the splendid tuberous Begonias, so floriferous in summer and autumn, to the varieties whose flowering is spread out in winter or spring; but this hybrid has, fortunately, preserved, for the first time, the grandeur of flowers, the delicacy of color, floridity, and duration, and presents all this in November, December, and January. Although the subject is close to tuberous Begonias, he is not himself. However, in January, after flowering, it no longer grows, the leaves turn yellow; it's the moment of rest. It is then held almost dry on a tablet, under a tarpaulin, in a mid-light and healthy place. It is formed, at this time, at the collar of the plant and on the soil of the pot, agglomerations of ovoid bulblets, big as peas, which can be used to propagate the plant. At the end of the summer, the vegetation starts again; we then give a little more water to start with, then a good potting and the main care that we give to greenhouse plants; in this respect, it is the vegetation and culture of Begonia socotrana, species of Socotra Island and ancestor of the plant by Begonia John Heal. M. P. Duchartre claims that, scientifically, the plant is tuberous, since the second or third year of its existence, it forms a bulge of root, or better stem, which seems to bury itself and widen. This beautiful plant is distinguished by its robust port and its ample foliage; the leaves are large and rounded like those of B. socotrana. The panicles, many flowers, stand well above the foliage; they are gracefully inclined. Their diameter reaches or passes 8 centimeters; their color is a carmine pink touch of scarlet, with a paler shade in the center. We have seen and admired this beautiful novel by M. Sallier, son, successor to MM. Thibaut and Keteleer, at Sceaux. Mr. Sallier cultivates this Begonia very well and is very enthusiastic about the floriferous qualities that distinguish him. He has the greatest confidence in his future as the root of a new horticultural tribe of this kind, and we are happy to share his way of seeing. - Ed. Andre.; Adonis, Flowers rosy-carmine, medium sized, leaves large and handsome, habit robust and upright.