At FlowerTrials® 2026, Koppe Begonia showcased more than new varieties. The Dutch breeder and young plant specialist is presenting a broader vision for the future of begonias. One that stretches the season, strengthens production reliability, and creates new opportunities for growers and retailers alike.
Visitors to the Koppe Begonia location discovered innovations across multiple product groups, from autumn-focused flowering begonias and the expanding NextGen collection to developments in propagation, Streptocarpus, and the increasingly popular Begonia Maculata series. We tell you all about it.
Orange Begonias: A New Symbol for Autumn
For decades, red poinsettias have been synonymous with Christmas. Koppe Begonia believes orange begonias deserve a place alongside other seasonal favorites.
The company is encouraging growers to extend the traditional begonia season by targeting planting weeks 24 through 34, creating colorful retail programs that transition seamlessly into autumn. With their warm hues and long-lasting performance, orange begonias offer an attractive alternative for consumers looking to refresh patios, terraces, and front-door displays after summer.
Varieties such as Mocca Orange®, Reina XL®, and Reina Amber® are particularly well-suited for this seasonal positioning. Their orange tones naturally complement autumn decorations and can easily be combined with Halloween-themed merchandising to create eye-catching retail presentations.
The message is clear: if red poinsettias own Christmas, orange begonias can own autumn.
NextGen Begonia Continues to Grow
Koppe’s NextGen Begonia series remains one of the company’s most important breeding projects. At FlowerTrials® 2026, two new additions join the collection: Hailey Pink® and Belladonna®.
The NextGen concept focuses on creating rounded, well-filled plants packed with double flowers while maintaining a relatively short crop time. The result is a series that offers growers efficiency without compromising on visual impact.
With the addition of the new introductions, the collection now consists of eight varieties. Within the range, Hanna® remains the most compact option, providing additional flexibility for growers targeting different pot sizes and production schedules.
Three Distinct Red Begonias for Different Markets
Red remains one of the most important colors in the begonia market, and Koppe now offers three distinct red selections within the NextGen assortment.
Halo® serves as the foundation variety. It produces deep, dark red flowers and finishes approximately 2 weeks earlier than Baladin®. Some bud removal may be required during production, but the speed advantage makes it an attractive choice for many growers.
Balisto® introduces a warmer, more orange-red flower color comparable to Barkos®. The variety is notably vigorous with a strong upright growth habit and performs exceptionally well under warmer growing conditions. This makes it particularly suitable for markets such as Spain and Italy, as well as for larger container production.
Belladonna® brings a more compact plant habit while maintaining the rich red flower color associated with Baladin®. The variety finishes considerably faster, offering another option for growers looking to optimize production timing.
As both Balisto® and Belladonna® are still relatively new in larger-scale propagation, Koppe emphasizes that production knowledge continues to evolve. Meanwhile, the established varieties Baladin® and Barkos® are important components of the assortment and remain available.
Portugal Strengthens Propagation Capacity
Behind every successful variety stands a reliable propagation program, and Koppe is increasingly investing in its Portuguese operations.
The company highlights Portugal’s favorable climate, influenced by its latitude and proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, as an ideal environment for producing high-quality propagation material.
Mother plants are cultivated in modern wide-span greenhouses equipped with indoor and outdoor screening systems, insect netting, mobile tables, and gutter systems designed to optimize plant health and uniformity.
Unrooted cuttings are transported by truck to the Netherlands and shipped by air to the United States via Frankfurt. Following recent expansion efforts, the Portuguese operation continues to play an increasingly important role in Koppe’s international supply chain.
Biological crop protection is becoming the standard throughout production. While this approach helps maintain uninterrupted plant growth, it also introduces new challenges. Occasional corrective interventions remain necessary, reflecting a reality faced by growers across the industry.
Commitment to Streptocarpus
One year after entering the category, Koppe has confirmed its long-term commitment to Streptocarpus.
The company has acquired the plant breeders’ rights from Fleischle Gartenbau and is focusing on further improving plant quality and production reliability.
For European markets outside the Netherlands, exclusive sales of young plants are managed through Gasa Young Plants. Meanwhile, rooting protocols have been updated to incorporate Growcoon technology, supporting more consistent young plant production.
Pink Ribbon®: A Begonia With a Purpose
Among all introductions on display, one variety stands out for reasons beyond its appearance.
Pink Ribbon® features striking hot-pink single flowers and excellent branching, allowing growers to produce full, attractive plants in a relatively short period.
What truly differentiates the variety, however, is its social impact. Fifty percent of all royalties generated by Pink Ribbon® are donated to breast cancer research.
To support marketing efforts, Koppe also offers promotional materials and permission to use the Koppe logo for growers and retailers who wish to build dedicated campaigns.
Spotlight Series Gains Momentum
The popularity of Begonia Maculata continues to increase, and Koppe’s Spotlight series is growing alongside it.
Both Spotlight Green® and Spotlight Dark® are seeing rising demand, with Spotlight Green® offering noticeably stronger vigor and longer growth compared to its darker counterpart.
Looking ahead, Koppe is already testing an even more compact selection that would require less plant growth regulation. The company expects further developments later this year.
For current production, Alar at 200 ppm remains the recommended growth regulation strategy, applied through weekly boom spraying. Growers are advised to exercise caution with Cycocel, as it can cause more damage. Hand spraying requires additional attention, as higher water volumes can increase the risk of overdosing and temporarily halting plant growth.
Looking Beyond the Next Season
FlowerTrials® 2026 demonstrates how Koppe Begonia continues to combine breeding innovation with practical production solutions. Whether through extending the selling season with orange begonias, expanding the NextGen collection, investing in propagation infrastructure, or supporting meaningful initiatives such as Pink Ribbon®, the company is focused on creating value throughout the supply chain.
Featured image: Begonia Belladonna® by Koppe Begonia.
