Distinct variety of Begonia plant named Paloma

A new Begonia variety is characterized by its long lasting, highly floriferous white bloom, short and compact plant form, vigorous growth and smooth texture. The new variety has a high tolerance to botrytis and powdery mildew.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT 
The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of 
Begonia.times.hiemalis known by the varietal name Paloma. The new cultivar 
is a mutation of the Begonia hiemalis Rosalie. The new cultivar Paloma 
differs from Rosalie in respect of its bloom color. The cultivar Paloma 
has a tonality from a distance of white whereas the cultivar Rosalie has a 
tonality from a distance of peach to light orange. 
The new cultivar was discovered in April, 1983 at Limaplant b.v. in Lisse, 
Holland; was first asexually reproduced by cuttings at Limaplant b.v. in 
Lisse, Holland; and has been repeatedly asexually reproduced by cuttings 
for Oglevee Associates, Inc. in Connellsville, Pa. It has been found to 
retain its distinctive characteristics through successive propagations. 
The new cultivar is generally characterized by its long lasting, highly 
floriferous white bloom, short and compact plant form, vigorous growth and 
smooth texture. The new cultivar has a high tolerance to botrytis and 
powdery mildew. 
The new cultivar, when grown in a greenhouse in Connellsville, Pa., has a 
response time of nine to ten weeks from a well-rooted cutting to a 
flowering finished plant in a six inch pot (no pinch).

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT 
The following detailed description sets forth the characteristics of the 
new cultivar. The data which define these characteristics were collected 
from asexual reproductions carried out for Oglevee Associates, Inc. in 
Connellsville, Pa. The plant history was taken on ten week plants 
blossomed under natural light in a greenhouse and grown under temperature 
conditions of 62.degree. F. at night and 68.degree. F. during the day. The 
plants were potted in a peat-lite mix and fertilized with a 100 ppm 
mixture of 15N-0P-15K. Color readings were taken indoors under 200 
footcandles of cool white fluorescent tubes. Color references are to the 
R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London, unless 
noted differently. 
Botanical classification: Begonia.times.hiemalis. 
Flower: 
Fully expanded.--5-6 cm across. 
Borne.--Compound dichasium (cyme). 
Stems.--Peduncles are upright and sturdy; main peduncle 7 mm in diameter; 
color yellow-green group 145B. 
Form.--Semi-double to fully double. 
Permanence.--Long lasting bloom, generally an individual flower will last 
2-3 weeks. 
Color: 
Tonality from a distance.--White. 
Front of petals.--White group 155B. 
Reverse of petals.--White group 155B. 
Base of petals.--Yellow-green group 150D. 
Eye (center).--Yellow group 4D. 
Discoloration.--None. 
Petals: 
Texture.--Smooth. 
Appearance.--Satin, matt finish with ripples. 
Arrangement.--Whirl; spiral-like. 
Persistence.--Very persistent, easily bruised. 
Fragrance.--None. 
Reproductive organs: 
All reproductive organs have modified into petaloids. Anthers, filament, 
pollen and style could not be observed. 
Plant: 
Form.--Short, compact, close internodes (1-2 cm apart); good self-support 
strength, good axillary and basal shoot growth. 
Growth.--Very vigorous. 
Height from soil line.--20-22 cm in 10 weeks (no pinch). 
Spread.--32-36 cm in 10 weeks (no pinch). 
Foliage: 
Size.--Average width of 9 cm and average length of 11 cm. 
Quantity.--Very abundant. 
Shape.--Ovate tip with oblique base with a slight overlap of the leaf; edge 
is doubly serrate. 
Top side.--Leaf color can vary due to position on plant, light levels, age 
and fertilization range; green group 137A to 137D. 
Underside.--Green group 138B to 138C; veins raised in palmate arrangement. 
Ribs and veins.--Smooth on top, raised on lower side, lower side veins only 
area where tricomes (hairs) appear. 
Rib and vein color.--Top side: green group 137D; bottom side: yellow-green 
group 146A. 
Margin.--None. 
Stipules.--None. 
Texture.--Top: smooth, shiny and leathery; bottom: matt finish with raised 
veins.