Charles Jaros holding Begonia 'Sir Charles Jaros', photo by Deb Cox
June 23, 2017
Hello Buxtonians,
It is with a very heavy and sad heart that I let you know that Charles Jaros passed away late this afternoon, due to complications related to congestive heart failure. For all those within ABS and beyond who were fortunate to know Charles, we enjoyed his lively spirit, intellect, leadership, knowledge of begonia species and hybrids, and generosity whether sharing a special begonia, his time, his knowledge, his personality and humor, or his support.
Information about any services will be forthcoming.
So that all may enjoy a piece of Charles, below is [a section reprint] from the January, 2014 The Buxtonian, when Charles was featured in "Let Me Introduce You to….Charles Jaros".
All my best,
Sally
Let Me Introduce You to….Charles Jaros by Sally Savelle
Where the member lives
I live in DeBary, Florida which is 30 miles north of Orlando, FL. I am a Florida Native originally from Miami.
How found out about/became interested in joining ABS/Buxton
My first introduction to the Buxton Branch was when they hosted the Eastern Region Convention in 1975. This was my first National function outside of the local Miami Branch. My mother and I didn’t know anyone on the National Level; neither of us had ever been to Boston and we decided this function would be a great way to obtain new begonias and see Boston. Well a request was made for those traveling to the convention to try to bring some plants for the plant sale. I obtained a pet carrier from the airlines prior to traveling and filled it with begonias for the plant sale (primarily Florida Hybrids and Paul Lowe Hybrids in particular). We took our plants to Horticulture Hall where the show was being held and were directly sent to the Plant Sale Chair: Wanda Macnair. Wanda welcomed us with open arms and promptly put us to work helping in the Plant Sale. This made us feel welcome and part of the convention. Well the rest is history and I have been going to conventions ever since. Of course I attended the ABS Convention that the Buxton Branch hosted for their 50th anniversary and have honored to attend many branch shows.
How became interested in begonias
I have always been involved in plants and actually started out in African Violets. I used to attend the African Violet meetings with my mother from grade school on up. Mother (Helene Jaros) always had some begonias too. When I learned to drive we started attending the local Miami Branch, the rest is history with African Violets falling by the wayside. I do enjoy growing Gesneriads though.
Top 5 favorite begonias
Top 5 begonias are; B. ‘Lana’, B. ‘Helene Jaros’, B. ‘Charles Jaros’, B. ‘Chuck Jaros’, B. masoniana (even though I have a hard time growing it). Actually I love them all.
How many begonias you own, what type you own, what you’re most successful with
I grow Cane-like, Shrub-Like, Thick-Stemmed and Rhizomatous and the most of my collection are Rhizomatous. Moving from Miami to the Central Florida area was quite different, in Miami I found that Canes did wonderfully, but in Central Florida I have found that Rhizomatous do much better.
Begonias you’d like to have, wish you could grow, and/or what do you wish you knew more of about begonias
I do wish I could grow the Tuberous Begonias especially the Tuberhybrida their flowers are so spectacular; but am very satisfied with the begonias I can grow.
Favorite thing about the begonia world, Buxton, etc.
My favorite thing about the begonia world, ABS and its Branches are the people. I have made lifelong friends by being part of this organization and participating. Our paths would not have crossed if it wasn’t for ABS and its branches. Everyone is so generous and is willing to share plants and/or experiences.
Any growing tips the member has to share
When I give lectures on begonias I always tell people to put a newly acquired plant in the mix they grow in. This way plants will usually need water at the same time and the care will be similar. Growers lose plants because of over-watering.
Other interests, hobbies, etc., outside of the begonia world
I collect collectable items/ antiques that are begonia related. I have a large collection of Majolica with many of them highlighted with begonias. I have dining sets from Wedgwood, Johnson Brothers, Shelly, Crooksville and others with begonia patterns on them. I even have vintage buttons with begonias depicted on them. I dabble in selling antiques as well.
What your family members have to say about the phenomena known as Begonia Obsession
My relatives think my Begonia Obsession is awesome and think I’m famous. LOL.
Where the member lives
I live in DeBary, Florida which is 30 miles north of Orlando, FL. I am a Florida Native originally from Miami.
How found out about/became interested in joining ABS/Buxton
My first introduction to the Buxton Branch was when they hosted the Eastern Region Convention in 1975. This was my first National function outside of the local Miami Branch. My mother and I didn’t know anyone on the National Level; neither of us had ever been to Boston and we decided this function would be a great way to obtain new begonias and see Boston. Well a request was made for those traveling to the convention to try to bring some plants for the plant sale. I obtained a pet carrier from the airlines prior to traveling and filled it with begonias for the plant sale (primarily Florida Hybrids and Paul Lowe Hybrids in particular). We took our plants to Horticulture Hall where the show was being held and were directly sent to the Plant Sale Chair: Wanda Macnair. Wanda welcomed us with open arms and promptly put us to work helping in the Plant Sale. This made us feel welcome and part of the convention. Well the rest is history and I have been going to conventions ever since. Of course I attended the ABS Convention that the Buxton Branch hosted for their 50th anniversary and have honored to attend many branch shows.
How became interested in begonias
I have always been involved in plants and actually started out in African Violets. I used to attend the African Violet meetings with my mother from grade school on up. Mother (Helene Jaros) always had some begonias too. When I learned to drive we started attending the local Miami Branch, the rest is history with African Violets falling by the wayside. I do enjoy growing Gesneriads though.
Top 5 favorite begonias
Top 5 begonias are; B. ‘Lana’, B. ‘Helene Jaros’, B. ‘Charles Jaros’, B. ‘Chuck Jaros’, B. masoniana (even though I have a hard time growing it). Actually I love them all.
How many begonias you own, what type you own, what you’re most successful with
I grow Cane-like, Shrub-Like, Thick-Stemmed and Rhizomatous and the most of my collection are Rhizomatous. Moving from Miami to the Central Florida area was quite different, in Miami I found that Canes did wonderfully, but in Central Florida I have found that Rhizomatous do much better.
Begonias you’d like to have, wish you could grow, and/or what do you wish you knew more of about begonias
I do wish I could grow the Tuberous Begonias especially the Tuberhybrida their flowers are so spectacular; but am very satisfied with the begonias I can grow.
Favorite thing about the begonia world, Buxton, etc.
My favorite thing about the begonia world, ABS and its Branches are the people. I have made lifelong friends by being part of this organization and participating. Our paths would not have crossed if it wasn’t for ABS and its branches. Everyone is so generous and is willing to share plants and/or experiences.
Any growing tips the member has to share
When I give lectures on begonias I always tell people to put a newly acquired plant in the mix they grow in. This way plants will usually need water at the same time and the care will be similar. Growers lose plants because of over-watering.
Other interests, hobbies, etc., outside of the begonia world
I collect collectable items/ antiques that are begonia related. I have a large collection of Majolica with many of them highlighted with begonias. I have dining sets from Wedgwood, Johnson Brothers, Shelly, Crooksville and others with begonia patterns on them. I even have vintage buttons with begonias depicted on them. I dabble in selling antiques as well.
What your family members have to say about the phenomena known as Begonia Obsession
My relatives think my Begonia Obsession is awesome and think I’m famous. LOL.
Charles Jaros, President of the American Begonia Society