Will begonias grown from seeds be of the same colour as the parent plant?

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by lubhz, Sep 16, 2018.

  1. lubhz

    lubhz Apprentice Gardener

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    Hi, in spring I bought a tray of begonias from B&Q and they gave beautiful salmon colour flowers for the whole summer. I had them in pots on my window sill. I managed to collect several of their seeds recently, and I'm keeping them to plant early next year.

    My question is, is there any guarantee that these seeds will grow to have the same colour as the parent plant?

    Thank you.
     

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  2. kazzawazza

    kazzawazza Total Gardener

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    Seeds collected from hybrid begonias might not come true from seed and may differ from the parent plant.
     
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    • pete

      pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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      Can we have a close up?:smile:
      Dont look like a begonia to me, but might be wrong, begonia seeds are like dust in my experience.
      I agree, probably not likely to produce flowers or even plants that are similar.
       
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      • lubhz

        lubhz Apprentice Gardener

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        Ooops sorry I meant Petunias! :smile:
         

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        • Mike Allen

          Mike Allen Total Gardener

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          Seeds. Must be one of the most interesting features of gardening. As a member says, seeds from hybrids probably will not come true. To get hybrid seeds, the plants need to be isolated and as soon as the flower starts to open, the pollen is tranfered by using a fine artists brush. Relating to begoias. The majority on offer today might well be called hybrids, even F1 Hybrids. Perhaps diversing a bit from our friend's question. So you have some seeds. I prefer to sow them and as with all seed sowing, you take a chance. So even with seeds from what once may have been a hybrid, go ahead and sow them.The results can be stunning at times and,yes, most disappointing at other times. Believe it or not. This might be your start on the road to fame. OK carry on with your normal gardening, but spare time and effort to cultivate any new seedlings from your mixture. Staying with Begonias, as they have become so very popular. Apart from the semperviruns that although classed as annuals, can actually be overwintered in a GH an or have cuttings taken.. Back to the favourites of today. Hybrid seed pollination plays a big part for marketing. However I would say. 99.9999999999999 cases. Vegative propagation is by far the best. Perhaps in todays jargon, it might be called cloning. A cutting will be in te exact image of the plant it was taken from. So how evet long you take cuttings from the original or now from the many clones, you will get an exact replica of that original plant.

          Now back to your saved seed. Parentage history unknown. You like the flowers and so, saved the seed. Given time,those seedling continue to grow. What a waste of time, you might say, they look nothing like the original. Hang on. Study the flower of various ones. I like that, now what? Now forget saving seed. Grow the plant on and take cuttings. Keep a strict record. Grow the cuttings on and take more cuttings. Keep your records upto date. This way you can compare times etc of taking the cuttings. Note the plant growth and intime everything about the flower. So you have now perhaps come upon a new variety. Now take across section of your plants,leave them to grow and die back. Check out the roots. Has perhaps a corm a bulblike thingy been produced. Are the roots,must that. Don't chuck them away. Let them rest over the winter and the watch and see if new shoots are starting to appear. Who knows. You may have become a new breeder of Begonia Gardeners Corner.
           
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          • Verdun

            Verdun Passionate gardener

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          • HarryS

            HarryS Eternally Optimistic Gardener

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            Lubhz , for Petunias it is far easier to buy new seeds every year. Most quality Petunias seeds are called F1 hybrids and are not very expensive . You can also buy plug plants from reputable online sellers. Another option , if you like trailing plants , is to buy Surfinia . This is a variety of petunia which is not grown from seed but cuttings. I buy mine every year as mini plugs online.

            SUR-008z.jpg
             
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            • HarryS

              HarryS Eternally Optimistic Gardener

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              Our resident plant sleuth strikes again ! :snorky:
               
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