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Avatar for elizabethb36
Aug 20, 2024 4:15 PM CST
Thread OP
Northern Virginia
Hello, I am new to gardening this summer and got a beautiful black sky Rex begonia for half off at a nursery two weeks ago. About five days ago I noticed a white fuzzy bug that I later id as a mealy bug. After doing research online I began spot treating the bugs and eggs with isopropyl alcohol on a qtip and spraying the leaves with a 50/50 solution of water and isopropyl alcohol with a little dish soap. I did this for several days but as I read more online I realized they could be in the soil too. So the day before yesterday I repotted and completely dissected the roots to remove any possible bugs (truly evil that perlite looks so much like mealys). Post repotting in completely new moist soil now my begonia looks like it's dying. Any advice on helping rehab her so she doesn't die would be great! 😭 Do I just need to be patient and hope for the best at this point? Thank you 🌸
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Aug 20, 2024 4:42 PM CST
Name: Tiffany purpleinopp
Opp, AL @--`--,----- (Zone 8b)
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Hi & welcome!

Dish soap is not the same thing as insecticidal soap. It's too bad this tidbit of info doesn't get around as much as the dish soap myth. At least you didn't put vinegar on it.

It looks like it is outside. Is it a shady spot? I don't know where you are, but Begonias should be kept away from too much sun in most places.
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Avatar for elizabethb36
Aug 20, 2024 4:48 PM CST
Thread OP
Northern Virginia
purpleinopp said: Hi & welcome!

Dish soap is not the same thing as insecticidal soap. It's too bad this tidbit of info doesn't get around as much as the dish soap myth. At least you didn't put vinegar on it.

It looks like it is outside. Is it a shady spot? I don't know where you are, but Begonias should be kept away from too much sun in most places.


Ah! Okay so could that be the reason? It is currently outside but being kept in the shade and on a pebble tray, I hope to bring it inside once the mealy issue is resolved.
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Aug 20, 2024 5:03 PM CST
Name: Tiffany purpleinopp
Opp, AL @--`--,----- (Zone 8b)
Region: United States of America Houseplants Overwinters Tender Plants Indoors Garden Sages Plant Identifier Garden Ideas: Level 2
Organic Gardener Composter Miniature Gardening Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Tender Perennials Butterflies
I don't know, Begonias don't even need much of a reason to freak out sometimes. Other members might have more experience with using those things on Begonias and what happened after.

I hope it improves!
The golden rule: Do to others only that which you would have done to you.
👀😁😂 - SMILE! -☺😎☻☮👌✌∞☯
The only way to succeed is to try!
🐣🐦🐔🍯🐾🌺🌻🌸🌼🌹
The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. The 2nd best time is now. (-Unknown)
👒🎄👣🏡🍃🍂🌾🌿🍁❦❧🍁🍂🌽❀☀ ☕👓🐝
Try to be more valuable than a bad example.
Avatar for elizabethb36
Aug 20, 2024 6:16 PM CST
Thread OP
Northern Virginia
purpleinopp said: I don't know, Begonias don't even need much of a reason to freak out sometimes. Other members might have more experience with using those things on Begonias and what happened after.

I hope it improves!

Thanks!
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Aug 21, 2024 6:40 AM CST
Name: Sally
central Maryland (Zone 7b)
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Mealy buhs are insidious. I have not dealt with them on begonia, but on a few other plants.
Give best care you can for begonia hralth but do continue to treat for mealies even if you arent seeing them.

I dont do rex begonia, having had a few seem difficult.

Ps a pebble tray outdoors is not doing anything. Whatever evaporates will so freely disperse into the wild blue yonder, the plant isn't benefitted.
Plant it and they will come.
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