Genetic Diversity of Begonia and its Potential Uses in Breeding and Landscaping Workshop

Last Updated on January 26, 2023 by Caroline Warwick

Interested in learning more about begonia production and the Mid-Florida Research and Education Center’s begonia breeding program?

Join us on Tuesday, February 21, 2023 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for a in-service training and workshop, Genetic Diversity of Begonia and its Potential Uses in Breeding and Landscaping.

Whether you grow wax begonias or Rex begonias, or use either variety in a landscape, this workshop is for you! You will learn how to select the correct begonia for propagation and landscape use, as well as hear from industry experts on begonia maintenance and display.

The workshop, which was organized by MREC’s Dr. Alfred Huo and Dr. Liz Felter, will bring together national and international begonia experts to discuss all things begonia. Seminars and presenters will include:

• Daike Tian, Ph.D., Shanghai Chenshan Botanical Garden, China
  • Introduction and Conservation of Begonias: Tips and Lessons
• Wisnu Ardi, M.Sc., Research Center for Biosystematics and Evolution, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Indonesia
  • Expeditions, Conservation and Potential Application of Indonesia Native Begonias
• Diro Ayana, Ph.D. and Ulrike Bubner, M.Sc., Benary Seed Company, Germany
  • Benary’s Begonia World
• Don Miller, Fort Worth Botanic Garden, USA
  • The Fort Worth Botanic Garden Begonia Collection and the Dynamic Future for Begonias
• Julian Ginori, Ph.D. student, University of Florida, USA
  • Characterization of Abiotic Stress Response in Begonia and its Utilization in Breeding
• Sandy Wilson, Ph.D., University of Florida, USA
  • Potential Invasion Risk of Wild Type Wax Begonia in Florida
• David Norman, Ph.D., University of Florida, USA
  • Identification and Management of Begonia Diseases

Registration is required for this event and can be done at https://begoniaworkshop.eventbrite.com and costs $15. This workshop is ideal for Extension Agents, greenhouse growers, breeders, floriculture producers, botanical garden horticulturalists, landscape designers, and plant enthusiasts. We look forward to having you join us for a day of all things begonias!

Click this link for our promotional flyer: Begonia Workshop Flyer