IRISH GARDENING 



VOLUME IV. 



A iMOiNTHLY JOURNAL DEVOTED TO THE 



ADVANCEMENT OF HORTICULTURE AND 



ARBORICULTURE IN IRELAND 



The Tuberous Begonia. 



Bv W.M. Davidson, Tlio Dell G.-u-dcns, Enjjiefield G 



1, Surre} 



ji^^^^^-^^^^^HOSE who were prhileiied 

 ynr to \isit the Royal Horti- 



eultural Society's Show in 

 the Temple Gardens, in May, 

 ^• y^^tfe ^ could not fail to be impressed 



I ^^*1"| with the appearance of these 



\g, I nseriil plants. The shades of 



eS' colour which they presented 



could not be surpassed by 

 any other flower. It is also evident that the 

 double beijonia of a few years ago has changed 

 from a clumsy, shapeless mass of petals to 

 what might be termed camelia-shaped flowers. 

 The stems are also strong enough to support 

 the flowers, so that tliey are exhibited to the 

 best advantage. 



As pot plants begonias continue in flower for 

 a very long period, and as it is not too exacting 

 in its requirements it is an indispensable adjunct 

 to the amateur's greenhouse. After the flower- 

 ing period is past the plants may be allowed to 

 rest in their pots during the winter, provided 

 these can be stored in a dry, frost-proof place. 

 Tuberous begonia may be started into growth 

 any time from January to March. A mixture of 

 loam, leaf-mould, and sand is usually prepared and 

 filled into boxes to a depth of about two inches. 

 The tubers are then pressed gently on the 

 surface of the compost, and put into a house 

 where a temperature of 55° or 60° can be main- 

 tained. A hotbed frame is often found con- 

 venient for starting the tubers. 



Where large quantities are grown for out- 

 door planting I have seen the tubers stored in 

 sand during the winter. In the spring, after 

 top-dressing the inside vine borders with fine 

 litter, the begonias were laid out on the litter, 

 care being taken to keep the base of the tuber 



downwards. When growth had fairly com- 

 menced they were transferred to frames contain- 

 ing a few inches of soil, where they remained 

 imtil required for planting in summer quarters. 



When plants required for p.^itting purposes 

 have made about two inches growth they will 

 be ready for their first potting, and they must 

 not be placed in too large a pot at first. The 

 size of pot will depend on the size of tuber. 

 For ordinary tubers a four-inch pot is usually 

 employed. When roots get through the soil the 

 plants should be transferred to larger pots. The 

 plants should never be allowed to become pot- 

 bound. Seven inch pots are g'enerally found 

 large enough for the final potting. For potting 

 purposes a good fibrous loam and leaf-mould, 

 three parts of the former to one of the latter, 

 with some silver sand added, makes a suitable 

 compost. For the final potting the compost is 

 impro\ed by the addition of one part old cow 

 manure and a small quantity of a good fertilizer. 



When the flower buds appear the plants are 

 benefited by frequent waterings with weak soot 

 water. It is necessary to provide some means 

 of shading the plants from strong sunshine 

 during the hottest part of the day, though 

 good light is also necessary to ensure growth 

 of good substance. Cold winds must be pre- 

 vented from coming in direct contact with the 

 plants ; but abundant \entilation is necessary 

 when weather is fa\oin'able. 



It would be impossible to include the names 

 oi all the begonias exhibited at the Temple 

 Show. A selection of the very best kind would 

 includeAvalanche, an extra large flower of purest 

 white colour. Millicent, Mrs. .Vrthur Hall, and 

 Marie Nicholas were fine plants with salmon- 

 coloured flowers. Partrick .Vinslie had crinipled 



