Comments on: A new begonia for my collection

By: Mary Caydler

Mary Caydler — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 03:04:08 +0000

Dear Martha, I have never tried to grow begonia,s. I just love to see your animals and your beautiful gardens. I have been really gardening the last 2 years. Also love animals. I think you are a really cool person. So glad to see a woman stand her ground and make something of herself. Bless you Mary Caydler from Berwyn Illinois.

By: Virginia Hayes

Virginia Hayes — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 15:49:54 +0000

We are pleased to know that you now have a plant of the very special Begonia ‘Lotusland’. Jonathan Wright spent some months working with us at Lotusland in 2001 as part of a fellowship supported by Chanticleer. You might also like to hear the story of the plant itself. It was introduced into cultivation by Rudy Ziesenhenne, a grower and taxonomist for this interesting group, who had a nursery in Santa Barbara. It was a chance seedling in his greenhouse without a name until Ziesenhenne was prodded by a National Geographic photographer to give it one. At the time, many begonias were being planted in a new fern garden at Lotusland, so he honored Madame Walska by naming this new hybrid after her estate. It has large leaves and tall inflorescences of dainty pink flowers (Madame Walska’s favorite color). There are several large plants on display in the fern garden at Lotusland and the plant is now widely grown by specialist nurseries.

Virginia Hayes, Curator, Ganna Walska Lotsland

By: Lynn Eimer

Lynn Eimer — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 23:14:04 +0000

Hi Martha , I Know It's Only June But I Have A Suggestion For You For Halloween. I Hope You Do Another BOO-FET For Grown-Ups.A lot More People In Their 50's & 60's Are Celebrating Halloween !! Also I Was Thinking You Could Come Up With A Elegant Sexy Design For Halloween Dinnerware.The Only Halloween Dinnerware I've Been Able To Find Is At Target. I wrote To Correlle A year Ago,But They Didn't Produce Any Halloween Dinnerware That I Know Of. Thank You For Listening. Lynn Eimer

By: Tim Butler

Tim Butler — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 20:13:17 +0000

I just love your show. See a hilarious singing telegram that I did. Also, Listen to our music videos we wrote & sang while reading My Finding God Story, Miracles that have happened to me since Finding God, jokes and more at http://www.bodymotionent.com

By: Deborah

Deborah — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 08:20:17 +0000

By: Deborah

Deborah — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 08:16:42 +0000

To Sandy C going to Chicago: HOT DOGS: 1. Super Dawg (far northwest side: Devon, Milwaukee & Nagle not too far from O'Hare) 2. Portillo's - many locations NOTE: have them with the traditional trimmings -the counter person will know - don't try to be fancy or gourmet. 3. Hot Doug's - not the traditional Chicago hot dog but serves simply fabulous, gourmet sausage sandwiches made from all sorts of meats - they call themselves a purveyor "fine encased meats" - also northwest side but closer to Wrigley Field: California just north of Addison DEEP DISH PIZZA: 1. Giordano's (many locations all over) 2. Gino's East (both locations near N Michigan Ave) 3. Uno and Due's - just west of Michigan Ave (these are the original deep dish pizza - and are FAR better than the francised locations around the country -this is the Real Thing) 4. Lou Malnatis (many locations) NOTE: the REAL Chicago street food is Italian beef sandwiches, sliced thin with au jus gravy, on a soft roll, green pepper. I think Portillo's serves these, too.

By: Jill

Jill — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 17:20:42 +0000

Nice Plant Martha! Have you ever shared the TickleMe Plant with your audience? Its my favorite plant. The leaves instantly close and even the branches droop when Tickled! I found it on line at http://www.ticklemeplant.com My Mom used to call it a sensitive plant but it really got my kids attention when I told them we are going to grow THE TickleMe Plant and that it really moves fast when Tickled! Every I tell about it thinks im crazy untill they see my plant and how reactive it is. I love my TickleMe Plant`!

By: Pam Simmermeyer

Pam Simmermeyer — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 16:24:44 +0000

Oh Martha, the new begonia is breathtaking. I have several heart shaped and doubles. I used to have alovely sport outside to take them every year but I lost a beautiful maple and an oak tree last fall and my yard is too sunny. I went to a wonderful county fair last night in a neighboring county and looked at all the beautiful exhibits and am thinking about what I
want to exhibit this year at my fair. Do you have any pie or bread suggestions since I know you have judged at many fairs. You should exhibit one of those beautiful begonias at your local fair.

By: Jan Erickson

Jan Erickson — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 05:35:01 +0000

Hi Martha, I love all of your photos of the begonias. I have always thought they were beautiful plants, but have never had any. When I was a kid, my mom had some lovely house plants including begonias that someone gave her one time when my dad was away. When he returned, she had to get rid of all of the plants because he was allergic to all of them. He did grow some flowers outside, but never any in the house. I guess that's why I never had any begonias. I may just start growing some soon because they are beautiful. Thanks for the inspiration and bringing back memories. Jan

By: celia stock

celia stock — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 01:26:46 +0000

Before you read this,I beg forgiveness.Begonias were a favorite of my darling Mum,who went on without me. Must confess there were a few tears shed with this little rhyme. Nevertheless,hope you get a smile or two. Oh,'Little Darling'with light green between your veins, You make such a pretty sight through the window panes. The leaves edged in burgundy,belong to 'River Nile', Are golden-green ruffled like lace and beguile. What about 'Phoe's Cleo'bright green with markings maroon, Would be glamourous on any heathered doon. The deeply lobed red backed leaves of the 'Pink Minx' Are splashed eternally with silver and many pinx. Lovely patterned leaf with chocolate,ruby and silver white Is 'Miami Storm',not exactly the most common sight. Dont forget 'Emerald Glow',bright shiny leaves of green That keep the promise of an island's captive scene. With large dramatic spots,a pretty thing called 'Polka Dot'. Is just another wonderful surprise in a pot. 'Northern Lights',charging,dancing magic,around the pole And a variegated begonia that dances too,if thats your goal. Alice in the 'Looking Glass'eating 'Raspberry Swirl'. A 'Palomar Prince' in fuzzy green,waiting for his girl. Fine red hair,leaves of chartreuse and chocolate is 'Curly Fireflush'. 'Phil Corwin'with splashes of motley color from an unsteady paintbrush. Sweetest of them all is 'China Curl',with its center band Of silver,and the giant glossy green leaves of 'Lotus Land'.