TUBEROUS - ROOTED BEGONIAS 
A LTHOUGH known for qu te a long time, the Tuberous-rooted 
. Begonia is just beginning to be appreciated by the flower-lovers of 
America. 
Seeds and tubers of Begonia boliviensis were first sent from Bolivia to 
England in 1847. Its small flowers were not particularly attractive, but 
by crossing and recrossing, with other species from Bolivia and Peru 
over the years, the bloom has been improved until we now have glorious 
flowers of many colors and shades, with exhibition flowers up to 8 inches 
and over in diameter. Although it is so little known in this country, in 
England catalogues of specialists list scores of named varieties under the 
double types alone, and there are a number of distinct types besides 
the doubles. 
There seems to be an idea that these Begonias are difficult subjects, 
caused probably by the exotic appearance of the glorious flowers, some of 
which look as if moulded from wax, others so velvety that they seem to be 
cut from royal cloth. 
Instead of being difficult, they are easy to grow, and, given a proper 
location, rich soil, and sufficient moisture, they will be happy with little 
care; on the other hand, as they thrive in the shade, they are the answer 
to the gardener’s prayer for something to occupy the garden’s many 
difficult shady places. Light they must have, of course, but not direct 
sunlight. The north side of a wall, hedge, or building, under trees, pro¬ 
vided the branches are not too close to the ground, and under lath shades, 
are the places they do the best, but there must be air-circulation. 
The Begonia blooms are in clusters of three, one large male flower 
in the center and two small single female flowers, one on either side. 
Remove the small flowers as soon as they appear, just as one disbuds 
roses or chrysanthemums, and the center flower will have a better chance 
to develop. This disbudding will make a world of difference in the size 
and perfection of the flower, and will make it last longer. 
While, under ordinary culture, the singles, doubles and Camellias 
will reach 5 to 6 inches in diameter, exhibition flowers can, by skilful 
care and attention, be made to reach 8 inches or more across. 
In most types the color-range is large, running through all the shades 
of red, pink, orange, and yellow, with lovely scarlet, crimson, cardinal 
apricot, various shades of salmon, rose and the clearest, cleanest of whites. 
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