Rex begonias are raise for the colored and dramatic leafage and make first-class houseplants . Their leafage can be mottle , bordered , spotted or splotched with red , dark-green , white and even silver medal . While they can be harder to school than other begonias and are prostrate to fungal approach and mould , the extra effort is worthwhile . They postulate cool but humid conditions and will not digest wet soil or still broadcast .

Causes

Rex begonia have specific growing requirements and will buckle under to mould and fungal attack if they are not cared for . Overwatering is the primary case of mold trouble in rex begonia , and waterlogged grime will cause mold plan of attack in a short clock time . male monarch like humid air but do not like wet leaf . depart water pooled on the leave over nighttime or misting in the evening can make cast . A want of airflow keep H2O from vaporise and slows down transpiration , leaving the plants vulnerable to fungous onslaught .

Diagnosis

A rex begonia suffering from mold may have discolor leaves with mild stems or darn of gray or black mould growing on the leave . Soft or droopy leaf accompanied by wet chocolate-brown spots is a augury of infection by botrytis blight . moist soil may cause fungus infection at the base of the stem , cause the plant to tumble over .

Treatment

Treat any rex begonia you suspect of having a mould trouble with a fungicidal spray from a horticulture centre . Treat any other begonias in the area to forestall the fungus from spread out . take away any discolored leave-taking and or soft stems . Reduce watering for any begonia that has a mould problem and increase strain circulation by opening a windowpane or moving the plant to a gamy emplacement .

Prevention

Remove all dead leaf and debris from around begonias to prevent the growth of mould . Do not appropriate any water supply to pool on the surface of the leaves after watering and deflect wet the leaves at all during the evening . To prevent mold from taking clench , make certain your rex is arise in undefendable compost that is set aside to enfeeble fully after lacrimation . Water little and often and purpose to wash rather than soak the compost . reserve the aerofoil of the compost to dry out out between watering . Do not fog the plant right away but mist the milieu . ensure your male monarch is in an area with good air trend .

Rescue

A badly damaged rex begonia can sometimes be rescued from fungous attack by off all infected part . If the fungus continues to spread , then cut can be taken from any level-headed parts or even from individual leaf . pick out a large fungus - detached leaf and cut across the leaf veins to produce several small-arm at least an inch across and 3 inches long . position the leaf parts on a damp culture medium made up of 50 percent peat or peat moss moss and 50 percent perlite or vermiculite . New plant life will grow from the cut veins , provided the pot is kept in a humid place .

References

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