Pest identification
What's eating my begonia 'bonfire'?
Aphids
Signs: Distorted, sticky shoot tips and flower buds; colonies visible on stem undersides.
Control: Knock off with water; treat with insecticidal soap or pyrethrin spray, repeating weekly until gone.
Vine weevil
Signs: Notched leaf edges (adults); roots and corm eaten away, causing sudden wilt (larvae).
Control: Drench compost with Steinernema nematodes in late summer/autumn; replace soil if larvae found.
Spider mites
Signs: Fine pale stippling on leaves, webbing on shoot tips in hot dry spells.
Control: Raise humidity, mist foliage, and spray with neem oil or a miticide; repeat every 4–5 days for 3 cycles.
Keep begonia 'bonfire' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Begonia 'Bonfire' pests — FAQ
What is eating my begonia 'bonfire'?
Begonia 'Bonfire', a pendulous outdoor flowering begonia, is most troubled by aphids on soft new shoots and by vine weevil larvae attacking the tuberous roots. Spider mites can strike in hot, dry conditions. Inspect stems and soil regularly — small problems escalate quickly on this fast-growing, tender cultivar.
How do I get rid of aphids on begonia 'bonfire'?
Distorted, sticky shoot tips and flower buds; colonies visible on stem undersides. Knock off with water; treat with insecticidal soap or pyrethrin spray, repeating weekly until gone.
How do I get rid of vine weevil on begonia 'bonfire'?
Notched leaf edges (adults); roots and corm eaten away, causing sudden wilt (larvae). Drench compost with Steinernema nematodes in late summer/autumn; replace soil if larvae found.
How do I get rid of spider mites on begonia 'bonfire'?
Fine pale stippling on leaves, webbing on shoot tips in hot dry spells. Raise humidity, mist foliage, and spray with neem oil or a miticide; repeat every 4–5 days for 3 cycles.