Author: begoniasocmelb

Our Aims

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Aims of the Melbourne Begonia Society (MBS)

Our Society aims to:

  • Stimulate and promote interest in begonias.
  • Encourage the introduction and development of new types of these plants.
  • Gather and publish information in regard to kinds, propagation and culture of begonias.
  • Issue a bulletin which will be distributed to all members of the Society.
  • Bring into friendly contact all who enjoy and grow begonias.
  • Support the preservation of begonia species through growing of seed.

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B 'Little Brother Montgomery' (flower)
B ‘Little Brother Montgomery’ (flower) [Grower: K Jenvey]

What’s growing in April

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Melbourne Begonia Society members submitted 19 entries in the Members monthly virtual voting competition. Here are some of the entries.

B. gracilis (Hollyhock)- Flowers [Grower: J Randle]
B. Non Stop – Flowers [Grower: J Randle]
B. fischeri – Flowers [Grower: K Jenvey]
B. Convention 2020 – Foliage [Grower: J Randle]
B Rex – Foliage [Grower: N Ratnayake]
B Rex Unknown hybrid – Flowers [Grower: L Keim]
B Red Imperial – Foliage [Grower: D Wolfe]
B Coconut Ice (semp) – Flowers [Grower: B Moyle]
B Black and White (semp) – Flowers [Grower: P Moyle]

To view all entries, go to our April 2021 Virtual Voting Competition under our Previous Events banner.

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April Virtual Vote Winners

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This month there were two winners in the Foliage section and one in the Flowering section of the Members April Virtual Voting competition.

The winner in the flowering section was J Randle for B. gracilis (Hollyhock) and in the foliage section – B. Beni Toshiba (Jointed rh) grown by P Moyle and B. Rex grown by N Ratnayake.

  • B Beni Toshiba (jointed rh) Foliage
    B Beni Toshiba (jointed rh) Foliage [Grower: P Moyle]
  • B Rex - Foliage
    B Rex – Foliage [Grower: N Ratnayake]
  • B. gracilis (Hollyhock)- Flowers
    B. gracilis (Hollyhock)- Flowers [Grower: J Randle]

Well done everyone!

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What’s growing in March

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In the Members March flowering competition, we had 23 entries. 14 in the Flowering and 9 entries in the foliage categories. The winners were B Madeline (Flowers) and B Frank Clark (foliage) competition.

B ‘White Chandelier’ (flowers) [Grower: K Jenvey]
B Rex (foliage) [Grower: K Jenvey]
B Madeline (flowers) [Grower: J Randle]
B ‘Little Brother Montgomery’ (flower) [Grower: K Jenvey]
B Lantern Light (cane) (foliage) [Grower: P Moyle]
B John Tonkin (flowers) [Grower: J Randle]
B Sunset Blaze (foliage) [Grower: J Randle]
B Teen Queen (foliage) [Grower: J Randle]
B. ‘Perna’ (flowers) [Grower: C O’Shea]

For full details, visit our what’s growing in March page (entries to March Members Virtual Voting Competition).

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March Virtual Vote Winners

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This month there were two clear winners in the Members March Virtual Voting competition.

The winner in the flowering section was B Madeline and in the foliage section – B Frank Clark, both grown by Janeen Randle.

B Madeline (flowers) [Grower: J Randle]
B Frank Clark (foliage) [Grower: J Randle]

Well done Janeen!

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Fabulous February Foliage and Flowers

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B Medora (foliage) [Grower: J Carpenter]
B. Stoplight (flower) [Grower: J Randle]
B fernandocostae (foliage) [Grower: J Canton]
B ‘White Showers’ (flower) [Grower: J Carpenter]
B. Xanadu (foliage) [Grower: J Randle]
B. Fabulous Tom (flower) [Grower: J Randle]
B ‘Looking Glass’ (foliage) [Grower: L Keim]
B Fairyland Pink (semp) (flower) [Grower: B Moyle]

There were 34 entries in the February 2021 members virtual voting competition. Members entered their plants in either of the foliage or flowering plant categories. There were 18 entries in the flowering and 16 in the foliage competitions.

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One Year Ago Today | Convention Highlights from Tuesday 17 March 2020

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The five day Convention ‘Inspired By Begonias‘ commenced on Friday 13 March and finished on Tuesday 17 March 2020. It  was held at the Foothills Conference Centre situated in a glorious bushland setting, offering wonderful bush walks through the surrounding precinct.

On the last day of the Convention, there was a further opportunity to  go on Optional Tour 3 | Tuesday 17 March (including lunch). Highlights included:

  • Gardenworld Nursery & Garden Centre in Keysborough and an opportunity to visit four member’s  gardens and see their begonia collections.
  • Otherwise, it was time to reflect, enjoy and say goodbye to all our friends (until next time).
  • But little did we know that a worldwide pandemic was just around the corner and therefore made this our last big event in the begonia world for 2020.

Melbourne Begonia Society

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One Year ago Today | Convention Highlights from Monday 16 March

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The five day Convention ‘Inspired By Begonias‘ commenced on Friday 13 March and finished on Tuesday 17 March 2020. It  was held at the Foothills Conference Centre situated in a glorious bushland setting, offering wonderful bush walks through the surrounding precinct.

Convention participants could opt for Optional Tour 2 | Monday 16 March (including lunch). This tour went to:

Today and tomorrow we will relive the highlights of this great event in 2020.

Melbourne Begonia Society

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One Year Ago Today | Convention Highlights from Sunday 15 March 2020

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The five day Convention ‘Inspired By Begonias‘ commenced on Friday 13 March and finished on Tuesday 17 March 2020. It  was held at the Foothills Conference Centre situated in a glorious bushland setting, offering wonderful bush walks through the surrounding precinct.

Over the  five days participants could choose from a selection of Optional Tours including tours of Gardenworld, William Ricketts Sanctuary or a private tour of some Melbourne Begonia Society members gardens and their begonia collections.

  • The convention continued with plenty of opportunities to workshop, attend talks from guest speakers and to meet and socialise with fellow participants.
  • Today and each of the next three days we will relive the highlights of this great event in 2020.

Melbourne Begonia Society

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One Year Ago Today | Convention Highlights from Saturday 14 March

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The five day Convention ‘Inspired By Begonias‘ commenced on Friday 13 March and finished on Tuesday 17 March 2020. It  was held at the Foothills Conference Centre situated in a glorious bushland setting, offering wonderful bush walks through the surrounding precinct.

On Saturday 14 March some convention participants took Optional Tour 1 which included lunch  and a visit to:

This was followed in the evening with the Saturday Night Gala Dinner (only $55.00 per person) which presented an opportunity for everyone to don their glad rags and ‘strut their stuff’.

  • Today and each of the next three days we will relive the highlights of this great event in 2020.

Melbourne Begonia Society

Website | About Us | Contact Us | Membership | Facebook