Pest identification
What's eating my begonia 'buxton's crimson'?
Mealybugs
Signs: White cottony clusters at stem joints and leaf undersides; sticky honeydew residue; stunted, distorted growth.
Control: Dab individual bugs with a cotton swab dipped in 70% isopropyl alcohol; spray the whole plant with neem oil or insecticidal soap every 7–10 days until clear.
Spider mites
Signs: Fine webbing on undersides of leaves; pale stippled or bronzed foliage; leaves may dry and drop.
Control: Increase humidity around the plant; rinse foliage with water; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil spray weekly for 3–4 weeks.
Fungus gnats
Signs: Larvae feed on roots and soil organic matter, causing wilting and yellowing in young plants; adults are a nuisance around soil.
Control: Allow the top inch of soil to dry between waterings; use yellow sticky traps to catch adults; drench soil with Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (Bti) to kill larvae.
Keep begonia 'buxton's crimson' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Begonia 'Buxton's Crimson' pests — FAQ
What is eating my begonia 'buxton's crimson'?
Begonia 'Buxton's Crimson' is an indoor houseplant most threatened by mealybugs and spider mites. These sap-sucking pests thrive in warm, dry indoor conditions. Check leaf undersides and stem joints regularly; isolate new plants before introducing them to your collection to prevent infestations spreading.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on begonia 'buxton's crimson'?
White cottony clusters at stem joints and leaf undersides; sticky honeydew residue; stunted, distorted growth. Dab individual bugs with a cotton swab dipped in 70% isopropyl alcohol; spray the whole plant with neem oil or insecticidal soap every 7–10 days until clear.
How do I get rid of spider mites on begonia 'buxton's crimson'?
Fine webbing on undersides of leaves; pale stippled or bronzed foliage; leaves may dry and drop. Increase humidity around the plant; rinse foliage with water; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil spray weekly for 3–4 weeks.
How do I get rid of fungus gnats on begonia 'buxton's crimson'?
Larvae feed on roots and soil organic matter, causing wilting and yellowing in young plants; adults are a nuisance around soil. Allow the top inch of soil to dry between waterings; use yellow sticky traps to catch adults; drench soil with Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (Bti) to kill larvae.