Pest identification
What's eating my begonia 'stained glass'?
Mealybugs
Signs: Cottony white fluff at petiole joints and leaf undersides; sticky residue and yellowing foliage.
Control: Treat with isopropyl alcohol on a cotton swab; follow with neem oil or insecticidal soap spray weekly for 4 weeks.
Spider mites
Signs: Tiny pale flecks across leaf surface; fine webs visible in leaf axils; leaves may dry at edges.
Control: Increase room humidity; clean leaves with a damp cloth; apply neem oil spray every 5 days for at least 3 rounds.
Fungus gnats
Signs: Adults disturb soil surface; larvae chew fine roots, stressing the plant and promoting rot.
Control: Let the top layer of compost dry out; add a layer of horticultural grit to the surface; use Bti drench.
Keep begonia 'stained glass' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Begonia 'Stained Glass' pests — FAQ
What is eating my begonia 'stained glass'?
Begonia rex 'Stained Glass' is an indoor foliage plant most vulnerable to mealybugs nesting at leaf bases and along petioles. Spider mites thrive on it in heated indoor air. The deeply colored leaves can hide pest damage until it is advanced — inspect undersides weekly and isolate new plants before introduction.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on begonia 'stained glass'?
Cottony white fluff at petiole joints and leaf undersides; sticky residue and yellowing foliage. Treat with isopropyl alcohol on a cotton swab; follow with neem oil or insecticidal soap spray weekly for 4 weeks.
How do I get rid of spider mites on begonia 'stained glass'?
Tiny pale flecks across leaf surface; fine webs visible in leaf axils; leaves may dry at edges. Increase room humidity; clean leaves with a damp cloth; apply neem oil spray every 5 days for at least 3 rounds.
How do I get rid of fungus gnats on begonia 'stained glass'?
Adults disturb soil surface; larvae chew fine roots, stressing the plant and promoting rot. Let the top layer of compost dry out; add a layer of horticultural grit to the surface; use Bti drench.