Sutherland begonia - the most unpretentious among begonias

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Fashionable hybrids of tuberous begonias almost replaced the more original flowering species from the shelves. Sutherland begonia is one of such distinctive and vibrant varieties of begonias. Its greenery is not inferior to the beauty of flowering, and the bushes creating charming clouds seem dazzlingly bright. To grow this begonia is much easier than other fashionable novelties that have flooded the counters. Yes, and without much experience with the cultivation of this plant to cope much easier than with other flowering begonias. Regular care and the right temperature - that's all Sutherland begonias need.

Content:

Bright original among stiff begonias
Sutherland Begonia Varieties
Sutherland begonias growing conditions
Sutherland Begonia Care at Home
Diseases, pests and growing problems
Breeding Sutherland begonias

Bright original among stiff begonias

It happens that begonias cause some hostility. They are considered aggressive and even negatively affecting energy, in general, not very suitable plants for decorating bedrooms and living rooms. But only those who pay attention only to the "thorns" can think so.

Being one of the most diverse indoor plants, begonias offer a choice not only between decorative-leafy and flowering species. Each category has its own unforgettable, dissimilar, bright stars. And a special variety is characteristic of species begonias, which are valued for their flowering.

While the well-known begonias massively fill the windowsills and drive out for the holidays, flaunt on balconies and in flowerpots, only at first glance the more modest plants remain undeservedly forgotten. Species beautifully flowering begonias are special, very bright in decorativeness and much simpler to grow. And in this regard, Sutherland begonia may well be considered a typical example.

Sutherland begonia is classified as a tuberous begonia. The homeland of this plant is considered Tanzania, although it can be found in neighboring countries.

Begonia Sutherland (Begonia sutherlandii) belongs to the number of ampel species of begonias. It differs significantly from the usual tuberous begonia not only in the small size of the tuberous roots, but also in the type of shoots - arcuately drooping, thin, elegant, sparsely branching, but creating beautiful lush bushes.

The reddish color of the twigs is almost invisible due to the densely sitting very bright leaves. In length, the branches are limited to a maximum of 50 cm. The greenery of this type of begonia always looks dazzling. Medium or dark green, leaves pleasantly stand out against other indoor plants and often seem almost artificial.

Small, typically asymmetric leaf plates with a serrated edge and original purplish-red veins, with a pointed tip and an oval or oval-lanceolate form do not look as impressive as in decorative-deciduous species, but they are very elegant. The edge of this begonia appears only on the underside of the leaves. The hairs are short but noticeable.

Sutherland Begonia Bloom

Bright greens are combined in plants with no less bright flowers. Collected in hanging brushes, delicate, with bright acrylic colors, they seem almost extravagant. The flowers of this begonia are simple, with rounded petals, up to 1 cm in diameter. And the inflorescence brushes are very airy and rare, which gives the flowering a unique grace.

The flowering period of Sutherland begonias continues throughout the summer. From June to early September, with proper care, it retains the same decorative effect.

Sutherland begonias are an orange-flowering species. Apricot, copper, salmon, fiery, terracotta shades of orange surprisingly subtly overlap with reddish shoots and veins on the leaves.

One of the drawbacks of Sutherland begonia is rightly called the rapid loss of decorativeness and the need for frequent rejuvenation. The shoots of the plant are exposed from below, extended, which is why the bushes lose their attractiveness and compactness. With signs of loss of decorativeness, plants are simply updated, growing new bushes to replace them. The classical methods of rejuvenation in the form of pruning or separation in this begonia “do not work” as effectively as simply replacing with new bushes. Pruning often saves the bushes for only one year.

Sutherland begonia varieties offer a choice between different shades of green and orange tones - from the dazzlingly bright and contrasting “Papaya” to the more modest varieties.

Sutherland begonias growing conditions

The photophilousness of this species of begonias is not so pronounced as to search for a place for it only on the windowsills. The beautiful flowering of Sutherland begonia is also demonstrated in partial shade. And the need for a cool wintering for a plant arises only in the absence of correction of lighting in winter.

Lighting and placement

Sutherland begonia is one of the photophilous, but not sun-loving species. She will not be able to grow in a strong shadow, but she feels very comfortable in the scattered partial shade.

The plant needs the same light intensity throughout the year, with a reduction in daylight hours, it is worth moving the plants to more lighted windows. If you compensate for seasonal problems with lighting, neither movement nor illumination can be achieved, you can maintain the decorativeness of the plant only by lowering the temperature of the content.

The eastern or western windowsills are considered the ideal place for Sutherland begonias. Plants can be placed in the interior near the southern windows.

Temperature and ventilation

This type of begonia will prefer to remain at stable temperatures all summer. This is a heat-loving plant, which from spring to autumn feels comfortable at room temperatures from 20 to 25 degrees Celsius. With good lighting in the winter or in the backlight, there is no need to lower the temperature. If there is not enough light, there is no way to move the pots to more illuminated windows, the temperature must be lowered to cool 12-16 degrees. Temperature drops below 12 degrees are unacceptable.

Sutherland begonia can spend summer outdoors. After the onset of stable heat, it can be moved to balconies or even to the garden. It is better to choose shaded or shaded places for the plant, be sure to protect from drafts.

Sutherland Begonia Care at Home

This beauty cannot be called difficult begonias. Like all tuberous begonias, Sutherland begonias require careful watering, but otherwise are satisfied with standard procedures suitable for any other indoor plant with a long flowering period.

Watering and humidity

For this type of begonia, it is worth creating constantly moist conditions. The plant is watered regularly. So that between these procedures the earth dries out only in a few upper centimeters. In summer, Sutherland begonias need more frequent watering. In winter, they are reduced, but still only the top layer of the substrate is allowed to dry. The approximate frequency of watering is 3 times a week in the summer and 1 or 2 times in the winter.

This plant is extremely sensitive to the wetting of all aerial parts. When watering Sutherland begonia, it is worth acting carefully, not allowing water to splatter leaves, and even more so - flowers.

Like most flowering begonias, Sutherland begonias do not like dry air and will prefer higher rates of humidity. But, since the plant does not tolerate getting wet, it will not be possible to use a simple spraying method. For Sutherland begonias, wet moss pallets are installed in rooms with dry air, a variety of decorative external containers are used, or humidifiers are installed. With average humidity, no such measures are needed.

Fertilizing and fertilizer composition

Fertilizers for this type of begonia are applied only in liquid form, along with water for irrigation. During the period of active growth and development, and even more so - flowering, you can not do without frequent regular top dressing. The optimal frequency of procedures is once every 2 weeks.

Despite its status as a flowering plant, Sutherland begonia is in some ways a unique culture. The beauty of the leaves and flowering are equally important for her, so it is better for her to choose complete mineral fertilizers with a balanced composition.

Trimming and shaping Sutherland begonias

Pruning on Sutherland begonias bushes is used as a temporary measure to thicken the bushes and prevent the plant from stretching. Often it does not bring the desired result in the long run. When pruning, the bare, elongated shoots are greatly shortened.

Pinching the tops allows you to stimulate the division of shoots and thickening, prevents accelerated aging of the bushes. You can start pinching at an early age.

Transplant, containers and substrate

This plant should not be disturbed until the roots have completely mastered the entire space of the pot. Transplantation is carried out if necessary in the spring or summer.

For Sutherland begonia, you need to select medium-sized containers in which the plant will grow, mainly in the aerial part. The diameter of the pots is increased by only 1-2 cm. For this type of begonias, containers that are too deep will not work.

When transplanting, it is important to maintain the usual proportions and type of pot - if the bushes grew in natural clay vessels with a width greater than the height, then they need to be grown in containers of the same type and further.

Peat-based soil mixtures are selected for Sutherland begonia. Loosening is considered the main parameter, but even in poor soil this type of begonia cannot bloom. For this plant, special ready-made substrates for begonias and universal high-quality soil are equally suitable.

Sutherland Begonia is transshipped, keeping the entire root ball intact. It is undesirable to destroy a lump even in case of defeat by pests or diseases, or an emergency transplant (it is easier to propagate begonia with cuttings and plant new plants).

Diseases, pests and growing problems

Sutherland begonia is perhaps the most stable of all the beautifully flowering begonias. It is very rarely affected by pests - with an extremely neglected state of the entire collection of plants, and most often with a spider mite.

Diseases, unfortunately, are not uncommon. Cultivation in the shade and improper watering lead to the development of rot. Fighting lesions can only be done by removing damaged parts, followed by treatment with fungicidal preparations.

Common problems in growing this species:

stretching in the shade;
yellowing of leaves or dropping leaves, lack of flowering in poor lighting;
twisting leaves in dry air.

Sutherland begonias breeding

Like all other ampelic begonias, Sutherland begonias are perfectly propagated by cuttings. The apical cuttings can be rooted even simply in water. But if desired, rooting can be carried out immediately in small pots for growing, in loose universal soil (both under and without a cap). It is cuttings that are used as a method of renewal of plants that have lost their decorativeness and need rejuvenation: the tops of the branches are cut, re-root, replacing old bushes with new plants.

Begonia can also be grown from seeds. Sowing is carried out according to the rules common to all garden and indoor begonias - in early spring, in a loose substrate, under glass or film.