The association
Presentation of the association
AFABEGO, the French Begonia Society, is a national non-profit association under the French law of July 1901.
- 1988Year founded
- ≈ 100Members
- FranceAnd even abroad
Our purpose
Its main purpose is to promote interest in begonias, and in so-called collection begonias in particular. It also aims to pass on to all its members any information about their nature, identification, etc., as well as all events, exhibitions and documents about begonias.
Through its relationship with the Begonia Conservatory of the town of Rochefort (Charente-Maritime), the association works to keep the local authority interested in the collection, and takes an active part in promoting it.
Finally, it encourages friendly meetings and exchanges between members, thanks to its regional representatives and to the annual General Meeting – an unmissable gathering where ideas, and plants, are exchanged.
The yearly meeting
Usually held over a weekend in late September or early October, it takes place every year in a different town, with a visit to greenhouses or botanical gardens. For the association’s 30th anniversary, it was held at the Begonia Conservatory in Rochefort (Charente-Maritime). Earlier venues include the Parc de la Tête d’Or in Lyon (2010 and 2015), the municipal greenhouses of Le Havre (2011 and 2019) and the botanical garden of Nantes (2017).
The yearly meeting
Board and committee
The executive committee
- PresidentJean-Louis BEREAU
- Vice-presidentsPierre FORTUNE & Nicolas PICART
- SecretaryEvelyne BOUQUET
- TreasurerDominique PERMINGEAT
- AuditorAgnès CAZAUX
The board of directors
- Kenzo ALACID
- Chantal BEREAU
- Caroline CAMPODARVE-PUENTE
- Agnès CAZAUX
- Christian CONNAULTE
- Christophe DUMINIL
- Christèle MORIN
- Dominique PERMINGEAT
- Nicolas PICART
- Hervé POUHAER
- Jean-Christophe REUTER
- Patrick ROSE
- Jean-Luc TRIPHON
- Daniel ZALKO
- Virginie PILLET
- Angélique PERBET
- Aurore CONDAMINET
- Pierre FORTUNE
- Nathan ORLOF
History
- 1988
AFABEGO is founded in May. It makes itself known through its first bulletin, “le petit Bégofil, un lien entre les amateurs de bégonias” (a link between begonia lovers), published in August as black-and-white photocopies.
- 1991
A colour sheet is added to the bulletin (describing 4 plants, with growing tips).
- 1992
Each yearly meeting holds a competition for the most beautiful begonia, still a great success today.
- 1996
Two difficult years, 1996 and 1997, as membership falls. The bulletin shrinks to a single sheet, the “Minibeg”.
- 1997
With a new president, membership grows again, reaching up to 200 members.
- 1998
The seed service is created.
- 2001
At the end of 2001, the bulletin becomes “Le Bégofil” instead of “Le petit Bégofil”, with more pages. The association also publishes a leaflet (updated in 2008) to promote itself at horticultural shows.
- 2006
“Le Bégofil” is printed entirely in colour.
- 2007
After the dissolution of the Société Française du Bégonia, which ran the Begonia Conservatory directed by Patrick Rose together with the town of Rochefort, AFABEGO takes on a moral responsibility for the Conservatory’s collection.
Why join?
Benefits reserved for members of the association.