12/1/2023 0 Comments Wax begonia speciesWe expect that some of the results of the begonia research will be translated in the improvement of these crops.Begonia has a complex breeding history. Begonia is an excellent out-group to understand some of the traits of these commercially important species such as flower sex ratio and flower architecture. Additionally begonias are close related species to the cucurbits family with species economically important such as cucumbers (Virginia is the 10th largest US state producer), gourds, melons, pumpkins, squash, watermelons and zucchinis. Nevertheless, the development of new varieties could help to increase the production of this crop in the state of Virginia, helping to the diversification of the economy with stable values such as flower production. The begonia production is limitedto several nurseries mainly in the Virginia Beach area, so most of the begonias consumed in Virginia come from other states, such as California, Florida and North Carolina. Virginia is not one of the top fifteen begonia producers in the US. To growers, the economic value of begonias therefore is comparable to that of some vegetable crops such as cucumbers ($168 million) and pumpkins ($145 million). These numbers rank begonias in the top five of the most popular floricultural crops in all three categories (). In the US in 2014, the wholesale prices of begonias (15-state total) were $33.3 million for bedding plants sold in flats, $25.3 million for plants sold in pots, and $10.8 million for plants sold in hanging baskets (total $69.4 million). ![]() The popularity of begonias is based in two factors: (1) plants display a wide range of ornamental phenotypes, not only for flower color and morphology, but also for leaf color and shape, and (2) they are easy to propagate by leaf or stem cuttings. Non Technical Summary Begonias are popular annual bedding and potted flowering plants.
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