powdery mildew on Begonia Beefsteak
Quick answer
If your Begonia Beefsteak has powdery mildew, the most likely cause is: Beefsteak begonia (Begonia ‘Erythrophylla’) is a rhizomatous begonia whose leaves are nearly impervious under normal indoor conditions, but the plant can come down with powdery mildew when continually subjected to poor air circulation and dank conditions around the foliage, allowing the fungal pathogen to establish on the leaf surfaces.
Start here:
- 1. Improve air movement around the beefsteak begonia by relocating it to a brighter, airy spot away from stagnant corners so humid air does not linger on the leaf surfaces.
- 2. Remove the most heavily afflicted leaves with clean scissors, then dispose of them rather than composting, and reduce watering so the surface of the potting mix dries between waterings.
Why Begonia Beefsteak gets powdery mildew
begonia beefsteak
Beefsteak begonia (Begonia ‘Erythrophylla’) is a rhizomatous begonia whose leaves are nearly impervious under normal indoor conditions, but the plant can come down with powdery mildew when continually subjected to poor air circulation and dank conditions around the foliage, allowing the fungal pathogen to establish on the leaf surfaces.
How to reverse powdery mildew on Begonia Beefsteak
- 1
Improve air movement around the beefsteak begonia by relocating it to a brighter, airy spot away from stagnant corners so humid air does not linger on the leaf surfaces.
- 2
Remove the most heavily afflicted leaves with clean scissors, then dispose of them rather than composting, and reduce watering so the surface of the potting mix dries between waterings.
- 3
Apply a registered fungicide labelled for powdery mildew on ornamental begonias, coating both leaf surfaces and repeating at the interval on the label until new growth emerges clean.
Keep powdery mildew off this Begonia Beefsteak
Give the beefsteak begonia bright light and steady air circulation, allow the surface of the potting mix to dry between waterings, and avoid crowded, dank corners where stagnant humid air traps moisture against the rhizomatous foliage.