Early Bird Discount Reminder

October 30, 2019September 15, 2019 / 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:

Melbourne Begonia Society

Website | About Us | Contact Us | Membership | Facebook

Begonias are great terrarium plants

October 23, 2019August 4, 2019 / begoniasocmelb / Leave a comment

Melbourne Begonia Society terrariums, begonias, growing begonias in terrariums,

One of the simplest indoor arrangements is the terrarium. Once it is set up it is unusually easy-care and most striking. Terrariums come in varying shapes and sizes from a brandy snifter on a short stem to the large circular or oval vases or fish bowls and tanks. The size of the container depends on the type and amount of greenery, soil and accent pieces (rocks, sticks, statues, etc.) that you want to include.

Terrariums can be largely decorative or serve the purpose of protecting tropical species.
Small Rhizomatous begonias and Rex begonias with their colourful leaves are ideal for indoor display.

Further information on growing begonias in terrariums is available on our Terrarium Cultural Notes page.

Website | About Us | Contact Us | Membership | Facebook

Less than a month left for Early Bird Registration

October 16, 2019September 15, 2019 / 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.

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:

Melbourne Begonia Society

Website | About Us | Contact Us | Membership | Facebook

Great discount for Early Bird registration

October 6, 2019September 15, 2019 / 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.

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:

Melbourne Begonia Society

Website | About Us | Contact Us | Membership | Facebook

The Maple-Leaf Begonia

September 25, 2019August 4, 2019 / begoniasocmelb / Leave a comment

B. dregei f bolusii,

B. dregei f dregei,

B. dregei,

Most Semi-tuberous begonias come from South Africa and a few from Bolivia and Brazil. One favourite is Begonia dregei, also known as ‘The Maple Leaf Begonia’, which was the first to be discovered by J.F. Drege near the coast of South Africa on shaded slopes in the Cape of Good Hope.

Semi-tuberous begonias grow well under shade cloth in an area with good air circulation, if in a frost free zone; or they can be grown in controlled conditions in a glasshouse.

Further information is available on our Semi-Tuberous Begonia Cultural Notes page.
See also our Semi-Tuberous begonia image gallery.

Website | About Us | Contact Us | Membership | Facebook

Early Bird Registration Open

September 20, 2019September 15, 2019 / 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.

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:

Melbourne Begonia Society

Website | About Us | Contact Us | Membership | Facebook

Begonia Convention 2020 | Bookings Now Open

September 15, 2019September 15, 2019 / 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.

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:

Melbourne Begonia Society

Website | About Us | Contact Us | Membership | Facebook

Members Meeting | Saturday 10 August 2019

August 7, 2019August 4, 2019 / begoniasocmelb / Leave a comment

B. carrieae,

B. Baby Wings,

B. pearcei,

Our August meeting will be held on Saturday 10 August, 2019 commencing at 1.30 p.m.

Venue: N.G. Wishart Senior Citizens Hall, 964 Nepean Highway, Moorabbin, Victoria.
This meeting will also include our Annual General Meeting (AGM).

Our meetings are held bi-monthly on the second Saturday of February, April and August and on the first Saturday of June, October and December, each year (subject to last minute changes).

If you have not previously attended a meeting, please contact us beforehand as there are often other begonia-related activities organised which may be held at other venues.

Website | About Us | Contact Us | Membership | Facebook

Trailing-Scandent Begonias are ideal for hanging baskets

July 24, 2019August 4, 2019 / begoniasocmelb / Leave a comment

B. radicans,

B. convolvulacea

B. solananthera

B. ‘Tiny Gem’

Trailing-Scandent begonias are mainly for hanging baskets and pots where they can over-hang and display their foliage and flowers. However some climb mostly enthusiastically, if encouraged to do so.

These plants have long, flexible tendrils and send up additional basal shoots in spring. These, when established, branch readily so that mature plants are full and bushy.

Further information is available on our Trailing-Scandent Begonia Cultural Notes page.
See also our Trailing scandent image gallery.

Website | About Us | Contact Us | Membership | Facebook

Shrub-Like Begonias | From Dragon Wings to Exotica

July 10, 2019August 4, 2019 / begoniasocmelb / Leave a comment

B. exotica,

B. cubensis,

B. ‘Dragon Wings’,

B. obliqua

Shrub-Like begonias are a group of 350 different species mostly from Central and South America. Shrub-Like begonias are great garden performers as they are hardy and many flower all year round; and all tend to have a longer flowering period than other begonias. The group is divided roughly into the following classes:

Hairy-leaved: Surface of the leaf is hairy regardless of type of hairiness.
Bare-leaved: Surface of the leaf is glabrous (free of hair). Further divided into large, medium and small leaved. Some can be grown into standards.
Distinctive Foliage: This special group demand special culture. The designation of distinctive foliage is the result of subjective judgment and opinions vary.
Miniature and Dwarf: There are plants of small stature growing to only 20 cms. Some need special terrarium attention but not all.