New Variety of Begonia Boliviensis: BELLFIRE™ to be introduced in Europe in 2007

After the successful market entry of BONFIRE™ from Anthony Tesselaar International, the next variety will follow in spring 2007: BELLFIRE.  The begonia BONFIRE was the first flower brand that Anthony Tesselaar International (www.tesselaar.com) introduced in Europe for this series.  With big success!  For the season 2007 the production will exceed more than one million plants throughout Europe. With the same partners Anthony Tesselaar International will now market the second variety of the plant series. The Begonia BELLFIRE will enjoy a limited released in 2007 of 200,000 plants. “With this rare and very exclusive variety we want to offer our partners something special”, says Anthony Tesselaar. The full scale release for the Begonia BELLFIRE is planned for the summer season 2008.

Why is BELLFIRE a Fantastic Addition to Your Garden?

BELLFIRE is ideal where masses of colour are required with little or no time to care for the garden or the balcony. The name BELLFIRE was selected due to the flowers’ size and shape. The coral-pink flower bells cover up to half of the plant and build a nice contrast to the dark deep plum coloured foliage. As with the variety BONFIRE, the new begonia is easy care and low maintenance and resilient in all weather: storms, heavy rains and extreme heat leave the plant unaffected. The plant is self cleaning; faded blossoms fall down as they make way for fresh blooms growing quickly.  The most striking difference to BONFIRE, besides the colour of the blossoms and the foliage, is the growth habit.  BONFIRE with its hanging branches is especially suited for hanging baskets and higher pots, BELLFIRE grows upright in a more bushy rounded form with a diameter of up to 80cm.

Quickly blooming in late spring, the plant keeps blossoming until first frosts in autumn without a pause. It can be grown in full sun or partial shade, for beds, pots, in parks, gardens or on balconies outside. Regular fertilising improves the luxuriant performance.

Continued Progress ...

Begonia BONFIRE arose from selection of an outstanding genotype from a population of Begonia boliviensis. The original seed was collected on an expedition to Argentina organized by the New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries in 1990 - the aim being to obtain new types of plants for New Zealand to diversify its productive agricultural activities.

Begonia boliviensis grows in the montane forests of northern Argentina and Bolivia from around 1200m to 2000m - a habitat of seasonal cloud forest with many similarities to Gondwana forests in southern South America as well as in New Zealand and Africa.

The overall trip was a the result of several years research, took almost a year in preparation and two months in the field with the combined efforts (at various times) of more than a dozen people. Overall 451 plant accessions were collected, belonging to 299 plant species. A wide range of environments were covered, from subtropics to the frigid high mountains.

The Begonia boliviensis specimen eventually selected for Plant Variety Rights as Begonia BONFIRE is very vigorous compared to other specimens available at the time of release. Begonia BELLFIRE is a result of a successful breeding & selection program from the original seed collections.

The New Zealand government continues their extensive breeding program on this species looking for new exotic and outstanding varieties. A number of these are already in trials.

Anthony Tesselaar International is based in Silvan, Australia and is a third generation family horticultural company. Tesselaar specialize in the development, testing and marketing of plants. Through a worldwide network of breeders, young plants providers and trial gardens Tesselaar researches, strategises, markets and manages plant collections around the globe.