Beautiful decorative plant. It is suitable for growing in containers and boxes on balconies, in interiors but also in flower beds. A plant that has almost 1000 species. A plant that is grown for both beautiful flowers and attractive leaves - this is Begonia.
However, diseases also occur in this not very demanding and very popular plant. The fact that a plant becomes ill, is attacked by pests, or suffers from other ailments is almost always to the detriment of its growers. They cause plant problems, whether by planting in the wrong soil, placing in too strong sunlight, insufficient ventilation, or improper watering and plant nutrition.
There are several signs that the plant is not right and they are visible soon. The plant is less vital. The stems hang. The leaves stain or lose color. The edges of the leaves are dry. The leaves twist and lose their original shape. Each of these manifestations signals a different problem for the plant.
The most dangerous diseases in Begonia include fungi, fungal diseases and diseases caused by the virus.
Gray mold - botrytis cinerea
It appears as a gray coating that can appear on any part of the plant - on leaves, stems, buds and flowers. Since this fungus mainly attacks plants with soft leaves, it also quite often attacks Begonias.
Brown spots also appear on the leaves of infested plants. If this disease is detected, the plant must be separated from the others, all infected parts of the plant must be removed and destroyed, and a fungicide must be applied to the plant by spraying. It is also necessary to remove the infested soil. It is most suitable to transfer to a new substrate. During further cultivation, we must reduce watering and dew. The plant will also benefit from better ventilation.
Powdery mildew
This disease is not as common as the gray mold and causes it is a primitive fungal organism - fungus. A white dusting deposit forms on the surface of the leaves of the infested plant. Unlike the gray mold, this disease does not have such serious consequences for the infested plant. However, if neglected, it can also spread to stems and flowers. The leaves that are most affected should be removed and a fungicide sprayed on the plant. The leaves can also be gently dusted with sulfur . Ventilation around the plant needs to be improved.
Viruses
These are very small particles that we can only observe with an electron microscope. Viruses are intracellular parasites. Several symptoms alert us to the fact that the plant is infected with a virus. For example, plant growth slows down and leaf stems form strange shapes. Paleer or even yellow streaks form on the leaves. White spots form on the colored leaves. The plant could have been infected at the time of purchase, or the infection was transmitted to it by insects - e.g. aphids . The infection can also be transmitted by a substrate or tool. If you are sure that your diagnosis is correct, the diseased plant must be discarded and destroyed. There is no cure. To protect against viruses, it is necessary to eliminate mammalian insects and disinfect the soil.