Pest identification
What's eating my begonia 'nonstop red'?
Aphids
Signs: Curled, sticky shoot tips; distorted flower buds and a coating of black sooty mold.
Control: Spray insecticidal soap or neem oil thoroughly, including undersides of leaves; repeat weekly for 3 treatments.
Vine weevil
Signs: Notched leaf margins from adult beetles; larvae devour roots and tuber, causing rapid wilt.
Control: Use Steinernema nematodes drenched into moist compost in August–September; check tubers at lift time.
Thrips
Signs: Silvery streaks and dark flecks on petals and leaves; flowers may brown prematurely.
Control: Remove affected flowers; apply spinosad or neem oil spray; sticky yellow traps help monitor population.
Keep begonia 'nonstop red' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Begonia 'Nonstop Red' pests — FAQ
What is eating my begonia 'nonstop red'?
Begonia 'Nonstop Red', a double-flowered tuberous begonia, faces aphids on tender buds, vine weevil larvae in the compost, and occasional thrips scarring petals. Aphids are the most common pest, breeding rapidly on the rich, soft growth this heavy-flowering cultivar produces throughout summer.
How do I get rid of aphids on begonia 'nonstop red'?
Curled, sticky shoot tips; distorted flower buds and a coating of black sooty mold. Spray insecticidal soap or neem oil thoroughly, including undersides of leaves; repeat weekly for 3 treatments.
How do I get rid of vine weevil on begonia 'nonstop red'?
Notched leaf margins from adult beetles; larvae devour roots and tuber, causing rapid wilt. Use Steinernema nematodes drenched into moist compost in August–September; check tubers at lift time.
How do I get rid of thrips on begonia 'nonstop red'?
Silvery streaks and dark flecks on petals and leaves; flowers may brown prematurely. Remove affected flowers; apply spinosad or neem oil spray; sticky yellow traps help monitor population.