Begonia plant named Bavaria

A new and distinctive cultivar of begonia plant bearing medium sized, heavily filled flowers of rose color contrasting with dark medium green foliage. The plant is characterized by a vigorous growth habit, and produces a very floriferous raceme display, which is continuous for long periods of time.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates to a new and distinctive cultivar of begonia plant 
known botanically as Begonia hiemalis Begonia (Fotsch) and known by the 
cultivar name Bavaria. 
This new cultivar was discovered by me as a mutation of Barbara observed in 
a group of plants. 
Asexual reproduction by stem and/or leaf cuttings has reproduced the unique 
features of the new cultivar through successive propagations. 
The following characteristics distinguish the new begonia from both its 
parents and other begonias commercially known and used in the floriculture 
industry: 
(1) The new cultivar shows no pubscense on the foliage. The plant form is 
vigorous, compact and sturdier. 
(2) In comparison to Barbara, which has pink double flowers, the flower 
color of Bavaria is darker almost rose with many flowers having 2-3 and 
sometimes four whorls of tepals in the center of the flower. 
(3) In all other respects the mutation has nearly the same morphological 
appearance as the parent excepting darker foliage, smaller leaves and a 
darker flower. 
(4) This new cultivar is considered to be highly floriferous. The stems on 
which flowering occurs tend to have initiation and development at several 
nodes at one time. 
(5) The keeping qualities of the flowers and the foliage in all seasons 
allows production and sales efficiencies to be maximized. 
(6) The new cultivar tends to be very vigorous so that 10 cm. pot 
production is best done with shoot cuttings and tip pinching. 
(7) Propagation by leaf cuttings is difficult under light and high 
temperatures in summer months. Stem cuttings can readily be produced in 
this season. 
(8) The flowers of Bavaria undergo little or no fading under abnormal 
conditions. Bavaria is also very superior with respect to keeping 
qualities of winter crops of hiemalis begonias.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY 
The following is a detailed description of my new begonia cultivar based on 
plants produced under commercial practices in glasshouses in various 
places in Denmark. Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural 
Society Colour Chart, except where general color terms of ordinary 
dictionary significance are used. 
Parentage: A mutation of the cultivar Barbara. 
Propagation: 
Type cutting.--Stem cutting. 
Time to root.--27-30 days at 21.degree. C. in summer; 25-28 days at 
21.degree. C. in winter. 
Rooting habit.--Uniform, dentritic, fibrous. 
Time for shoot development of leaf cuttings.--70-85 days to develop 
adventitious shoots 5-6 cm. (1.96-2.37 inches) long from stick date. 
THE PLANT 
Form: Low, bush type, self-branching, herbaceous. 
Habit of growth: Generally rapid, vigorous with strong stems, strong 
penduncles and strong pedicels. 
Foliage: Leaves simple, alternate, borne on vigorous petioles, firm. 
(1) Size.--Average leaf at maturity from 7-9 cm. (2.75-3.54 inches) leaves 
may be larger or smaller depending on density of leaf canopy. 
(2) Shape.--Ovate, slightly concave. 
(3) Texture.--Leaf is firm, top glabrous, underside rugose. 
(4) Margin.--Crenate. 
(5) Color.--Young foliage top side; medium green; under side; light medium 
green, mature foliage top side; darker medium green; under side; medium 
green. 
(6) Veination.--Palmate. 
THE FLOWER 
Flowering habits: Flowering in racemes, with several clusters arising from 
the stem nodes at the same time giving a highly floriferous appearance. 
Flowering is continuous for a long period of time. 
Natural flowering season: Flowering occurs naturally with shortened days 
lengths beginning mid-September and continuing through May. Reducing day 
length in summer speeds up flower initiation. 
Flower bud: Flat, oval, nearly round. 
Flowers borne: On vigorous penduncles and pedicels in a raceme. The extra 
doubleness of the flowers causes a pendulous appearance because of the 
weight of the flowers. 
Quantity: Very floriferous, often having 18-20 flowers per main stem in 
flowering stage at one time. 
Tepals: 
(1) Shape.--Nearly circular. 
(2) Color.--Top side in winter when opening: almost red HCC 21-21/1. fading 
to: rose HCC 20/1. under side: rose HCC 20/1. 
(3) Number.--6-26. 
(4) Size.--Basal from 25 mm (1.0 inch), interior tepals 10-20 mm (0.4-0.75 
inch). 
(5) Flower size.--4-7 cm (1.5-2.75 inches) 
Reproductive organs: 
Stamens.--None; cultivar is sterile. 
Disease Resistance: No particular increase in resistance to disease 
observed to date.