What's eating my begonia solananthera?

Begonia solananthera, a trailing epiphytic houseplant with fragrant white flowers, is most commonly troubled by mealybugs hiding in its dense trailing stems. Fungus gnats can colonise its epiphyte-style moist mix. Because of its hanging-basket habit, check undersides of cascading stems regularly as pests can go unnoticed.

White cottony clusters deep in trailing stems and at leaf axils; leaves yellow and flower buds may abort. Apply isopropyl alcohol with a cotton swab to all visible colonies; follow with systemic neem oil soil drench plus foliar spray weekly for a month.

Larvae damage fine roots in moist epiphytic mix, causing sudden wilting despite adequate watering. Improve drainage; allow the top 2 cm to dry before re-watering; use a Bti drench and yellow sticky traps.

Stippling and pale speckling on small leaves; webbing in dry indoor conditions reduces ornamental appeal. Mist and rinse trailing stems; spray with diluted insecticidal soap every five to seven days and boost local humidity.