How do you get seeds from a Begonia flower, in order to reproduce a certain colour plant next year?
Question:I have a certain red and white begonia, which is a one off amidst the usual pinks and purples. I need to know how and when i can pick the seed from that flower so i can produce the red and white version seperately for next year. Any help greatly welcomed!
Answers:
I never got seeds from my begonias? I used to lift the corms for the winter and split them and store indoors in a box of soil for replanting in the spring. I thought that was the only way to do it? That way I preserved all my rare and unusual ones.
Wouldn't it be easier to take cuttings? Especially off a begonia. Also you're cloning then and it should be more true to the parent plant than a seed where dominant alelles get to have their says iirc. Not a bedding plant expert though so I could e wrong ...
You won't be able to guarantee the colour of the begonia - but to collect the seed, wait until the flower is faded then tie a paper bag over the flower head, I tend to leave them on the plant as long as possible but then cut the stem off & hang it upside down in a warm dark place.
The seed is very fine - don't be tempted to touch it with your fingers, you will damage it.
I generally try to sow seed immediately outside (usually into pots though), it then takes as long as nature intends for it to germinate.
With any plant that you can strike cuttings from, it's best to propagate that way if you want to keep the colour true.
Unless you've managed to keep the plant completely isolated from any other of the same variety, the chances of seed coming out the colour you want is slim.
You need to cover the flowers so they are not pollinated by bee's or other insects, then you pollinate a female flower with a male flower from the same plant
Seeds? Begonias? I never knew that but Im off to give it a try. I have usually tried cuttings or bulb preservation. I guess you have tried that too.
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