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Begonia grandis

Hardy Begonia

Family BegoniaceaeGenus Begonia

A low clump of broad lopsided leaves on red stalks, hung with sprays of pale pink flowers, at the foot of a hedge
The whole plantUser:SB_JohnnyCC BY-SA 3.0

About the plant

What it is and where it grows — not part of any germination protocol.

The plant

Habit
Herbaceous Perennial, PerennialExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Habit
tuberous geophytePlants of the World Online
Height
1.5-3 ft45-90 cmExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Spread
1.5-2 ft45-60 cmExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Flower
PinkExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Blooms
Fall, SummerExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Native range
China North-Central, China South-Central, China SoutheastGBIF Backbone Taxonomy
Hardiness zones
6-9Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Growing conditions

Sun
Dappled Sunlight; Deep shade; Partial ShadeExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil
Clay, High Organic Matter, SandExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0)Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Moisture
Good Drainage, Moist, Occasionally WetExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Toxicity is noted only where a source states it. No note here is not a finding of safety.

Sources: Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — NC State Extension; Plants of the World Online — Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — Global Biodiversity Information Facility.

Worth knowing

  • As its common name, hardy begonia, suggests, this begonia survives winter in some temperate regions. Its pink or white flowers open from late summer into autumn. Wikipedia: Begonia grandis

This source reports two treatments. Both are shown.

Protocol 1

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Low Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around March 24, 2027 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Sow and cover

    Temperature: 70°F 21°C

No stated waiting before sowing. Then 12 days to germinate.

95% germination in 10–12 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Begonia p. 106Public domain
Show the original text
Begonia (Begoniaceae). All three species studied were D-70. B. evansiana germ. 70(95% in 10-12 d) and 40-70(95% in 10-15 d). This is the one hardy member of an otherwise tropical genus.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Begonia p. 106. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 2

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around December 21, 2026 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  2. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

about 3 months from start to step 2. Germination happens during step 2, in 15 days.

95% germination in 10–15 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Begonia p. 106Public domain
Show the original text
Begonia (Begoniaceae). All three species studied were D-70. B. evansiana germ. 70(95% in 10-12 d) and 40-70(95% in 10-15 d). This is the one hardy member of an otherwise tropical genus.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Begonia p. 106. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

How each step is done, in Deno’s words, and what Verified and Derived mean.

Germination trials

Readers’ own records of sowing this species, published after review. Share your trial · All trials

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