Cane-Like

Begonia Convention Tickets | Christmas Gift Ideas

/ begoniasocmelb / Leave a comment

The Australian Association of Begonias Societies (AABS) presents “Inspired By Begonias” 13th Convention, Melbourne 12-17 March, 2020 at Foothills Convention Centre, Mooroolbark, Victoria

Online Registration for this Convention is now available.

  • Bookings are open until 1 March 2020 ($120.00 per person. Accommodation extra – includes daily full cooked breakfast) Book here.
  • Please complete a Registration Form for each person wishing to attend.

The form also provides a list of optional social extras such as Welcome Dinner, Gala Dinner and daily lunch/dinner options as well as a selection of Optional Tours to choose from on Saturday, Monday and Tuesday. These are listed on the Registration Form.

  • If you have any queries or do not have internet access please contact Convention Registrar Rob Sims (613) 9484 6916 or email who will complete the form with you over the phone.

Janeen Randle, Convention Co-ordinator,  (ph:) 61 404 817 449.

Find further information about this convention:

Venue | Program | Speakers | Registration | Workshops | Optional Tours | Plant Sales | Adjunct Event | Contacts | Convention Home

Melbourne Begonia Society

Website | About Us | Contact Us | Membership | Facebook

To think that Rex Begonias were brought out by a mistake!

/ begoniasocmelb / Leave a comment
B ‘Escargot’,
B. ‘Celebration’,
B. ‘Greyghost’,
B. ‘Merry Christmas’

Rex begonias are rhizomatous in growth habit, but are grouped separately because of the colour of their leaves. The original Rex begonia was brought from Assam in India in 1856, by mistake, in a collection of orchids.

Leaf colourings are said to run the gambit of shades of precious metals – gold, silver, platinum, etc and precious gems – amethyst, ruby, garnet, topaz, emerald and opal. The leaf textures follow that of beautiful fabrics such as silk, satin, velvet, brocade, crepe, tweed and soft woolens.
  • Further information is available on our Rex Begonias Cultural Notes page.
  • See also our Rex begonias image gallery.

Don’t forget to register

/ begoniasocmelb / Leave a comment

The Australian Association of Begonias Societies (AABS) presents “Inspired By Begonias” 13th Convention, Melbourne 12-17 March, 2020 at Foothills Convention Centre, Mooroolbark, Victoria

Online Registration for this Convention is now available.

  • Bookings are open until 1 March 2020 ($120.00 per person. Accommodation extra – includes daily full cooked breakfast) Book here.
  • Please complete a Registration Form for each person wishing to attend.

The form also provides a list of optional social extras such as Welcome Dinner, Gala Dinner and daily lunch/dinner options as well as a selection of Optional Tours to choose from on Saturday, Monday and Tuesday. These are listed on the Registration Form.

  • If you have any queries or do not have internet access please contact Convention Registrar Rob Sims (613) 9484 6916 or email who will complete the form with you over the phone.

Janeen Randle, Convention Co-ordinator,  (ph:) 61 404 817 449.

Find further information about this convention:

Venue | Program | Speakers | Registration | Workshops | Optional Tours | Plant Sales | Adjunct Event | Contacts | Convention Home

Melbourne Begonia Society

Website | About Us | Contact Us | Membership | Facebook

Thick-Stemmed Begonias | The Aussie Star

/ begoniasocmelb / Leave a comment
B. ‘Aussie Star’,
B. paranaensis,
B. wollnyii,

All Cane-Like and Shrub-Like begonias develop thick stems. However, there is one group in which the stems are thick from base to tip from the early stages of growth, and these are called thick-stemmed. Some of the plants may grow quite tall, to two metres or more, but most are of medium height, around one metre. They are unusual and are grown mainly by the collector. They have been much used to produce interesting and beautiful hybrids.

These tall-growing begonias need ample room, whether as garden or pot plants. When grown in pots it is essential to provide at maturity a large, deep pot to provide stability and ample room for root development. Potted thick-stemmed begonias may be used as house plants or in courtyards where they need a very well-lit position with some direct sunshine in the mornings but not hot afternoon sun A lack of sunlight will result in sparse flowering and development of lanky growth.

Website | About Us | Contact Us | Membership | Facebook

Register for this great event

/ begoniasocmelb / Leave a comment

The Australian Association of Begonias Societies (AABS) presents “Inspired By Begonias” 13th Convention, Melbourne 12-17 March, 2020 at Foothills Convention Centre, Mooroolbark, Victoria

Online Registration for this Convention is now available.

  • Bookings are open until 1 March 2020 ($120.00 per person. Accommodation extra – includes daily full cooked breakfast) Book here.
  • Please complete a Registration Form for each person wishing to attend.

The form also provides a list of optional social extras such as Welcome Dinner, Gala Dinner and daily lunch/dinner options as well as a selection of Optional Tours to choose from on Saturday, Monday and Tuesday. These are listed on the Registration Form.

  • If you have any queries or do not have internet access please contact Convention Registrar Rob Sims (613) 9484 6916 or email who will complete the form with you over the phone.

Janeen Randle, Convention Co-ordinator,  (ph:) 61 404 817 449.

Find further information about this convention:

Venue | Program | Speakers | Registration | Workshops | Optional Tours | Plant Sales | Adjunct Event | Contacts | Convention Home

Melbourne Begonia Society

Website | About Us | Contact Us | Membership | Facebook

The Benefits of Membership

/ begoniasocmelb / Leave a comment

Melbourne Begonia Society (MBS) is a friendly group of people with a common interest and the shared knowledge that comes from these interactions with lots of fun and enjoyment.  There are many benefits of membership to MBS.

These include:

  • Bi-monthly meeting with talks, guest speakers, plant displays, raffles and swaps all contributing to successful begonia growing.
  • A regular sales table where members can sell their begonias or buy begonias not available anywhere else.
  • Access to seed through the Seed Fund and cuttings when available.
    Access to experienced growers and specific advice.
  • Visits to member’s gardens and trips to places of interest to begonia growers.
  • Extensive reference library available to members.
    Regular newsletters sent to members.

Website | About Us | Contact Us | Membership | Facebook

Last chance for Early Bird Registration

/ begoniasocmelb / Leave a comment

The Australian Association of Begonias Societies (AABS) presents “Inspired By Begonias” 13th Convention, Melbourne 12-17 March, 2020 at Foothills Convention Centre, Mooroolbark, Victoria

Online Registration for this Convention is now available.

  • Early bird discount of 25% is available from 15 September – 15 November, 2019. (Only $90.00 per person. Accommodation extra – includes daily full cooked breakfast) Book now.
  • Later bookings from 15 November 2019 – 1 March 2020 are at full price ($120.00 per person. Accommodation extra – includes daily full cooked breakfast) Book here.
  • Please complete a Registration Form for each person wishing to attend.

The form also provides a list of optional social extras such as Welcome Dinner, Gala Dinner and daily lunch/dinner options as well as a selection of Optional Tours to choose from on Saturday, Monday and Tuesday. These are listed on the Registration Form.

  • If you have any queries or do not have internet access please contact Convention Registrar Rob Sims (613) 9484 6916 or email who will complete the form with you over the phone.

Janeen Randle, Convention Co-ordinator,  (ph:) 61 404 817 449.

Find further information about this convention:

Venue | Program | Speakers | Registration | Workshops | Optional Tours | Plant Sales | Adjunct Event | Contacts | Convention Home

Melbourne Begonia Society

Website | About Us | Contact Us | Membership | Facebook

Early Bird Discount Reminder

/ begoniasocmelb / Leave a comment

The Australian Association of Begonias Societies (AABS) presents “Inspired By Begonias” 13th Convention, Melbourne 12-17 March, 2020 at Foothills Convention Centre, Mooroolbark, Victoria

Online Registration for this Convention is now available.

  • Early bird discount of 25% is available from 15 September – 15 November, 2019. (Only $90.00 per person. Accommodation extra – includes daily full cooked breakfast) Book now.
  • Later bookings from 15 November 2019 – 1 March 2020 are at full price ($120.00 per person. Accommodation extra – includes daily full cooked breakfast) Book here.
  • Please complete a Registration Form for each person wishing to attend.

The form also provides a list of optional social extras such as Welcome Dinner, Gala Dinner and daily lunch/dinner options as well as a selection of Optional Tours to choose from on Saturday, Monday and Tuesday. These are listed on the Registration Form.

  • If you have any queries or do not have internet access please contact Convention Registrar Rob Sims (613) 9484 6916 or email who will complete the form with you over the phone.

Janeen Randle, Convention Co-ordinator,  (ph:) 61 404 817 449.

Find further information about this convention:

Venue | Program | Speakers | Registration | Workshops | Optional Tours | Plant Sales | Adjunct Event | Contacts | Convention Home

Melbourne Begonia Society

Website | About Us | Contact Us | Membership | Facebook

Less than a month left for Early Bird Registration

/ begoniasocmelb / Leave a comment

The Australian Association of Begonias Societies (AABS) presents “Inspired By Begonias” 13th Convention, Melbourne 12-17 March, 2020 at Foothills Convention Centre, Mooroolbark, Victoria

Online Registration for this Convention is now available.

  • Early bird discount of 25% is available from 15 September – 15 November, 2019. (Only $90.00 per person. Accommodation extra – includes daily full cooked breakfast) Book now.
  • Later bookings from 15 November 2019 – 1 March 2020 are at full price ($120.00 per person. Accommodation extra – includes daily full cooked breakfast) Book here.
  • Please complete a Registration Form for each person wishing to attend.

The form also provides a list of optional social extras such as Welcome Dinner, Gala Dinner and daily lunch/dinner options as well as a selection of Optional Tours to choose from on Saturday, Monday and Tuesday. These are listed on the Registration Form.

  • If you have any queries or do not have internet access please contact Convention Registrar Rob Sims (613) 9484 6916 or email who will complete the form with you over the phone.

Janeen Randle, Convention Co-ordinator,  (ph:) 61 404 817 449.

Find further information about this convention:

Venue | Program | Speakers | Registration | Workshops | Optional Tours | Plant Sales | Adjunct Event | Contacts | Convention Home

Melbourne Begonia Society

Website | About Us | Contact Us | Membership | Facebook