Pest identification
What's eating my begonia 'passing storm'?
Spider mites
Signs: Fine stippling, bronzing, and thin webbing on leaf undersides; foliage loses colour and vibrancy
Control: Raise humidity, rinse foliage, then spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap; repeat every 5–7 days for 3 cycles
Mealybugs
Signs: White cottony clusters at leaf axils and stem joints; sticky honeydew and stunted new growth
Control: Dab individual colonies with a rubbing-alcohol-soaked cotton swab; follow up with neem oil spray for wider infestations
Thrips
Signs: Silver streaks or flecking on leaves; distorted or puckered new growth
Control: Remove badly damaged leaves, spray with insecticidal soap or spinosad, and isolate the plant for 2–3 weeks
Keep begonia 'passing storm' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Begonia 'Passing Storm' pests — FAQ
What is eating my begonia 'passing storm'?
Begonia 'Passing Storm' (rex-cultorum) is most threatened indoors by spider mites and mealybugs. Mites thrive in dry indoor air and quickly scar the ornamental foliage, while mealybugs cluster at leaf joints. Check leaf undersides and stem crevices weekly and treat early with neem oil or isopropyl alcohol.
How do I get rid of spider mites on begonia 'passing storm'?
Fine stippling, bronzing, and thin webbing on leaf undersides; foliage loses colour and vibrancy Raise humidity, rinse foliage, then spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap; repeat every 5–7 days for 3 cycles
How do I get rid of mealybugs on begonia 'passing storm'?
White cottony clusters at leaf axils and stem joints; sticky honeydew and stunted new growth Dab individual colonies with a rubbing-alcohol-soaked cotton swab; follow up with neem oil spray for wider infestations
How do I get rid of thrips on begonia 'passing storm'?
Silver streaks or flecking on leaves; distorted or puckered new growth Remove badly damaged leaves, spray with insecticidal soap or spinosad, and isolate the plant for 2–3 weeks