Begonias are popular ornamental plants known for their colorful and abundant flowers While begonias can be propagated through cuttings, seeds are another great way to produce new begonia plants But what exactly do begonia seeds look like?
In this complete visual guide, we will uncover the intricate details of begonia seed identification. With over 1,800 unique begonia species, there is some natural variation in seed characteristics. However, most share some common physical traits that can help you decipher what you’re looking at under the microscope.
Let’s start by going over the typical qualities of begonia seeds:
Common Physical Characteristics
Size
- Begonia seeds are quite small, often measuring between 0.1 – 2 mm in length. That’s just a tiny fraction of an inch!
Shape
- The shape can vary but common forms are oval, elliptical, or irregularly round. Some species have a slightly curved or hooked tip on one end.
Color
- Mature begonia seeds range from white to brown in color, with shades of cream, yellow, orange and red possible as well. Darker seeds tend to indicate maturity.
Texture
- Most have a smooth, glossy surface. However, some may have tiny ridges or bumps. A few species have fine hairs or hooks on the seed coat.
Notable Features
- Some seeds have a small wing-like structure to aid wind dispersal.
- The seed capsule or pod can also be distinctive on certain species.
Now let’s go through a 3-step process to identify begonia seeds:
Step 1: Examine the Shape and Size
- First, assess the overall form and dimensions of the seed using a magnifying glass or macro lens.
- Compare the shape and proportions to reference photos of different begonia seeds.
- The size can offer hints too. For example, large seeds over 2 mm likely come from bigger-flowered species.
Step 2: Inspect the Color and Texture
- Next, examine the seed color and surface texture. This can vary greatly among begonia species.
- Texture-wise, determine if the seed coat is smooth or irregular.
- Try to match the color/texture combo to a known species.
Step 3: Identify Any Special Features
- Finally, look closely for any distinguishing characteristics like wings, hooks, hairs or unique pods.
- Make note of any stripes, dots, or variegation too.
- These special traits can help pinpoint the exact species.
If you follow those three easy steps, you’ll be able to quickly tell the difference between most begonia seeds.
However there are a few potential challenges with begonia seeds to be aware of
- They’re extremely small, which makes examination difficult.
- Many species have similar nondescript seeds.
- Variety can occur within the same species.
- Immature seeds may lack definitive traits.
But don’t let those obstacles stop you! Here are some tips to overcome the challenges
- Use a quality magnifying glass and good lighting.
- Compare to multiple reference photos to spot minute differences.
- Focus on mature, dark-colored seeds when available.
- Identify seeds from parent plants whenever possible.
- Pay attention to subtle characteristics like shape and size.
With practice and patience, identifying begonia seeds gets much easier. Starting with common species helps build confidence too.
Let’s go through some of the most popular begonia species and their distinctive seeds:
Rex Begonia
- Oval, plump shape
- White to brown color
- Smooth surface
- 0.5-1 mm long
Wax Begonia
- Tiny, oblong shape
- White color
- Some have fine hairs
- Under 0.5 mm long
Tuberous Begonia
- Oval or irregularly shaped
- Reddish-brown color
- Ridged or wrinkled texture
- 0.5-1.5 mm long
Dragon Wing Begonia
- Kidney-shaped
- Yellow-brown color
- Winged capsule
- 1-2 mm long
Rhizomatous Begonia
- Elliptical shape
- Cream to brown shades
- Smooth or lightly ridged
- 1-1.5 mm long
With that quick visual guide imprinted, identifying common begonia seeds becomes much more intuitive.
Once you’ve harvested ripe begonia seeds, proper storage is crucial for maintaining viability:
- Allow seeds to fully mature and dry on the plant first.
- Use breathable containers like paper or mesh. Avoid plastic.
- Store in cool, dark places. Refrigeration extends viability.
- Add silica packs to absorb moisture for long-term storage.
- Avoid freezing, high humidity and frequent temperature changes.
Follow those tips, and your begonia seeds will stay viable for years to come!
Here are some fun things you can do with your begonia seeds now that you know how to identify and store them:
- Start new begonia plants – grow an endless supply from seeds!
- Trade seeds with fellow begonia enthusiasts.
- Create unique hybrids and cultivars.
- Participate in begonia societies and competitions.
- Preserve rare, heirloom varieties by propagating them.
- Sell or give away extra seeds.
The possibilities are endless when you harness the power within those tiny begonia seeds!
Grab a magnifying glass and get ready to be amazed as I show you the amazing details and wonders of begonia seeds. You’ll be able to read those tiny specimens like a pro in no time if you learn how to do it and practice!
Seed Production via Hand Pollination
Begoniascan be propagated through seeds. Hundreds of seeds can be produced from a single pod, making it easy to produce sufficient seed materials for propagation. To make seeds, plants need to pollinate themselves. Most begonias are self-compatible, which means that pollen from male flowers on one plant can successfully pollinate and fertilize female flowers on the same plant. In order to ensure self-pollination occurs, manual crossings are generally required for pollination.
Pollination is when pollen moves from the male parts of flowers (anthers) to the female parts (stigma) of the same or different flowers. This is the part of the reproduction process that needs help from people to get the traits that people want. The male and female reproductive organs of the Begonia plant are on different flowers, which makes it much less likely that the plant will pollinate itself without help (Figure 2 and 3). On the same plant, you can find both male and female flowers, and the plant can pollinate itself. Begonia plants naturally try to keep from pollinating themselves by either protandry, in which the male flowers open before the female flowers, or protogyny, in which the female flowers open before the males. For example, when clonal plants are planted at different times, the male flowers on one plant bloom at the same time as the female flowers on another plant, this is called self-pollination. Pollinators are what make this happen.
After female flowers are pollinated, fertilization occurs inside the ovary. Fertilization is defined as the union of the male gamete (sperm from pollen) and the female gamete (egg from ovule). Fertilization does not require human intervention because it occurs naturally in virtually every living organism on the planet. Pollination ends when the pollen grain lands on the stigma, and fertilization begins when the pollen tube forms to guide the sperm cell down the style to the ovary where the egg is. There are two methods to pollinate begonias, the flower removal method and the brush method. The following steps will detail how to successfully pollinate begonia flowers using both methods.
- Locate a mature male and female flower. If the flower is male, make sure the tepals are open wide and the anthers are a bright yellow color. Slowly shake the flower to see if any pollen falls on the petals (Figure 5). If so, the flower is mature. To find a female flower, look for one with an ovary with three wings and tepals that are fully open. Look at Figures 2 and 3 to see how male and female flowers are different.
- Precisely cut off the male flower from the plant with tongs. Be careful not to disturb the pollen (Figure 5).
3. Lightly brush the collection of anthers onto the stigmas of the female flower. Be careful not to brush too hard, because you may damage the female reproductive organs (Figure 6).
4. Label a tag with the male species, female species, and date of crossing to ensure proper records are kept. Fasten the tag around the female flower. Tepals of female flowers tend to break off from the plant once pollination and fertilization are complete, so be sure to attach the tag close to the female flower (see Figure 7).
5. Observe the flower every few days to see if pollination was successful. If successful, you will first notice the tepals of the female flower begin to wilt and detach from the receptacle. A browning of the peduncle follows as the plant cuts off nutrients from the flower (Figure 9). Once the peduncle browns, the flower can be mechanically removed or allowed to fully brown and detach by itself.
- First, locate a mature male and female flower.
- Slowly brush the anthers of the male flower with a soft-bristled brush until you see golden pollen grains on the end of the bristles. That way, you can see the pollen grains better if you use a dark-bristled brush.
- Move to the female flower and use the end brush to lightly brush the stigmas (Figure 8). Make sure to clean the brush in 70% rubbing alcohol before trying to make another cross to avoid cross-pollination that wasn’t planned.
4. If done properly, you will notice the pollen resting on the stigmas of the female flower. Label a tag with the male species, female species, and date of crossing to ensure proper records are kept. Fasten tag around the female flower.
5. Observe the female flower every few days to see if pollination was successful. If successful, you will first notice the tepals of the female flower will begin to wilt and detach from the receptacle. A browning of the peduncle follows as the plant cuts off nutrients from the flower (Figure 9). Once the peduncle browns, the flower can be mechanically removed or allowed to fully brown and detach by itself.
how to collect wax begonia seeds, what does a wax begonia seed pod look like
FAQ
Can you grow begonia from seeds?
Growing begonias from seed is the most cost-effective method, but does require more patience. It’s worth noting that begonia seed is extremely fine, so take care when opening the packet. Sow from mid-January to mid-March. Sow seeds on the surface of lightly firmed, moist seed compost in pots or trays.
Are begonia seeds tiny?
Remember that Begonia seeds are tiny so a light breeze, sneeze, or wheeze could send them flying all over the place. This is also why I go one container at a time.