Cultivar
B. ‘Bayerne’
Photos
5 photos
Identity
- Genus
- Begonia
- Name
- B. ‘Bayerne’
- Date of Origin
- 1937
- Publication Date
- 1981
- Place
- Germany
- Country
- Germany
- Region
- Europe
- Plant Type
- Shrub-like
- Synonyms and Comments
- B. ‘Bavaria’; B. ‘Bayern’;
- Publication Reference
- MLT1; GC;
- Article References
- The Begonian (32) Dec 1965, p 242-3,253;
- Photo References
- JBS, Begonias :10. 1980; BfBEH 73 1976; The Begonian, Dec 1965; The Begonian, Feb 1969; Exotica - Pictorial Encyclopedia of Indoor plants;
Plant
- Description
- German Trio Tops for Bloom and Beauty - By Robert L. Shatzer, ABS. Research Director Begonia growers have always been fond of the compact or miniature plants available to them and recent years have seen many wonderful new introductions to further stimulate this fascination. The featured begonias this month are not new, nor are they miniature, but they are small-leaved compact growers that hold a popular place in many begonia collections. Begonias 'Sachsen', Preussen' and 'Bayern' are all the results of German seed and their parentage is' not recorded. B. 'Sachsen' is a seedling of German, seed number 192, while. The other two are of an even more vague background. Charles Chevalier believes that B. 'Preussen' originated in England and yet Horticulture magazine, November 1954, states that it was originated in Germany in 1848. Alice B. Clark, in her fine article, "Dwarf Cane Stemmed Begonias" in the November 1947, Begonian, feels that all three are products of-the work of Lorenz in Erfurt, Germany. These plants are similar in their upright, well-branched and spreading habits of growth. All possess the same red pedicels and peduncles which support the flowers and seed-bearing pods. The female blossoms of the trio all possess five or six petals of an uneven size. A similar smooth appearance and small "angel-wing" foliage make for confusion and often mislabeling. There are, however, very definite differences in these begonias. Foliage color appears to be argued in this group also. Florence Knock explains in her fine article, "Do You Notice Foliage?" in a 1945 Begonian, that the "bronze color of (these) three (is). affected by light and sunshine." Keeping this in mind one can see why the authorities do not agree concerning which foliage is the darker, B. 'Preussen or B. 'Sachsen'. To understand the similarities and individualities of these lovely begonias one must examine each one and then compare and contrast. Begonia 'Sachsen', sometimes spelled Sachsan in error, means "Saxony" and if often offered in the trade by this translation. It is a low grower of two to three feet in height, with a slender, smooth appearance. The spreading, well-branched habit is somewhat looser than that of B. 'Preussen' but remains compact and bushy. The typical "angel-wing" leaves measure 1 ¼ inches by 3 inches long with a shallow indentation that is distinctive. The' dark olive-bronze leaves have a red or bronze-red underside which is unlike the other two plants. The leaf stems, or petioles, are a brighter red than either of the others and there seems to be a shorter space between the nodes. Brilmayer describes these leaves as "overlapping like feathers". The chief attraction of B. 'Sachsen' is its bright red or rosy red flowers which do not persist but are a color unlike its confused companions. The female flowers are, as previously mentioned, alike in their five or six uneven petals, but are borne in smaller clusters on shorter stems than in the two begonias yet to be discussed. Marian W. DeCoursey documented the blooming cycle of this begonia in her "Begonias Are Fascinating House Plants" in the Garden Journal of the New York Botanical Garden in 1957. She stated that B. 'Sachsen' bloomed for 71 months without stopping. One should remember that this begonia can be raised with best results when the roots are crowded, kept on the dry side, and watered carefully. Many growers report that cuttings root easily. Its successful growth under artificial light and its ability to make interesting hanging basket specimens are among the reasons for its popularity. Begonia 'Preussen', the sturdiest and most popular of the trio, will be found listed as Preusen with only one "s" in error or by its translation "Prussian". Possibly the French name, B. 'Thimotei,' can also be noted. Mrs. Jane Neal, of Worthing, Sussex, England, writes that Kew Gardens displays plant with this French label but that she feels that it is the same plant as her B. 'Bavaria' which she received from the Liverpool Botanic Garden. This plant's general size is controversial. Buxton lists it as two feet or more. Other authorities record it as reaching three to four feet in height. Habit, however, is very sturdy _ and it is like the previously discussed plant in its compact, smooth, well branched, and bushy character. Small ovate-pointed leaves measure 1 ½ by 3 ½ inches long. Normally the leaf color is a dark olive-green or dark bronzy-green. Often the new, young leaves emerge from the stipule covered with silver white spots which disappear as the leaf matures. On rare occasions spots will reappear on old leaves near the base of the plant. A fascinating changeability from dark-green through Irish green has been noted on the upper surfaces of the leaves, which are outstanding with their russet, toothed margins and pinkish tips. The few. flowered inflorescences display large pink flowers with the similar female blossom shape to B. 'Sachsen' but, of course, the color differs. The ½ inch male flower is slightly larger and opens two warm pink petals to reveal a pair of tiny, pointed petals and its pale-yellow stamen. Mrs. DeCoursey recorded that B. 'Preussen' has bloomed a record-breaking 76 months with a rest. She includes the records of Marjorie Wihtol, who observed 64 months of constant bloom. B. 'Preussen' is grown by many in cool conditions (50 to 60 degrees F.) but then it has also proven itself as a highly heat resistant variety. Begonia 'Bayern' or 'Bayerne' has appeared in literature under the synonym B. medio-picta and by its translation, "Bavaria". Its glabrous (smooth) appearance is explained as both low and medium, as again, inconsistent information is available. The dark green, erect stems are not as sturdy or robust as in the two previously mentioned plants. The stems possess a few noticeable white dashes and thin rings at the nodes. This begonia has more distinguishing characteristics than the other two: the more easily observed being the long, narrow- ovate leaves, which are much thicker at the petiole or stem end with sharper lobes and tapered to a quick point. The dark green leaves are uniformly, though lightly, spotted with silver or dull white between the veins. These spots are possessed by neither of the others as a persistent character. New leaves are reddish-tan and develop into mature leaves with dentate margins (edge) and undersides of green with a red flush. Floriferous drooping cymes of deep pink or rosy-tinted blossoms decorate this begonia, but regretfully, they are not long lasting and fall before or soon after opening. The female inflorescence is fuller and more graceful as it produces three even-winged seed pods tinted green in the middle section. Mrs. DeCoursey records 43 months of constant flowering. A collector wishing to grow these three together for comparison will appreciate the culture notes from this experienced grower. Mrs. Victoria Kartack, Baraboo, Wisconsin: "As far as culture goes on these three, I use the regular begonia potting soil and feed manure water after they have had a period of bloom to induce them to bloom again, which they do almost all year here. When the old plants become woody, I take cuttings from fresh green wood and discard the old woody plants. I do this every three or four years." These nearly identical German seedlings arc often mistaken for one another, as well as mistakenly confused with many other begonias. B. 'Jinny May' and B.'Vedderi', a B. compta seedling, has similar foliage. B. albo-picta might have been involved in the parentage of B. 'Bayern'. B. 'Medora', B. 'Green Medora', B. 'Lawrence H. Fewkes' and B. 'Pink Shasta' have all been involved in this musical chair mix-up of labels. The begonia nearest in appearance to any of the three seems to be B. 'Wettsteini (B. ascotiensis x B. corallina) but unfortunately it is not in cultivation in the United States. It was pictured in a German magazine in 1885 and appears very similar to B. ‘Sachsen'. This hybrid by Wettstein is described as a dwarf B. 'Lucerna'. It is a sturdy grower; has large red-drooping clusters of flowers; desires cool culture; and careful watering is advised. It is hoped that these fine, old begonias will not be abandoned in favor of the newer and fascinating hybrids that are so much in demand of our interest today.
- Sun Tolerance
- Tolerant
Lineage
Parents
No parentage recorded.
B. ‘Bavaria’; B. ‘Bayern’;
Descendants
No recorded descendants.
Culture
No populated fields in this section.