Sutherland Begonia

Sutherland Begonia Care

Begonia sutherlandii

What is the plant

Begonia sutherlandii, known as the Sutherland begonia and as iwozya in Kimalila, Tanzania, is a tuberous flowering perennial plant in the family Begoniaceae, growing to 0.5 metres with fleshy pink stems from 10 to 80 centimetres long.

Begonia sutherlandii is native to the southern highlands of Tanzania and is often found hanging over rocks in damp shady situations or on trees. It is also present in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and in South Africa. The leaves of the plant are commonly dark green and veined with red and covered with short hairs on the underside. They are asymmetrical in shape and the margin is toothed. Flowers, produced in pendent panicles throughout summer, are 20–26 millimetres (0.8–1.0 in) in diameter, and are usually orange or orange–red with yellow anthers.

lighting

Part sun and part shade

difficulty

Medium

How to Care for the Plant

Water
Water 1-2 times a week (about an inch each time), waiting until the soil is dry 1" down into the media, as excess watering can cause rot. Thrives in high humidity areas.
Fertilizer
Fertilize with a balanced fertilizer every two weeks until flowering and then with high potash fertilizer.
Sunlight
The plant prefers part sun or light shade.

Disease diagnosis

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Soil
The plant needs an organic rich, moist, well-drained soil. For container plants, choose a peat-based mix with added perlite.
Temperature
It can be grown in the areas with the lowest winter temperatures of 10° to 20°F (-6 to -12°C) but it usually grown as tender perennial or container plant.
Container
If growing inside, choose a container with enough drainage holes.