Fuzzy Leaf Plants
Is anything safe to spray on the leaves of fuzzy leaf plants? I like to spray all my new plants with water, or water and alcohol solution, when I bring them home to kill off any hitchhikers. Then I usually follow up with neem oil spray. I repot depending on the situation, so not always. But I have a begonia and a kolanchoe chocolate solder, that have fuzzy leaves and I don’t think will tolerate being sprayed. What do you think? #HappyPlants #PlantsMakePeopleHappy #PestControl #Kalanchoe #Begonia #AfricanViolet #RexBegonia #KenyanViolet #ChocolateSoldier #PandaPlant
1ft to light, indirect
2” pot with drainage
Last watered 2 weeks ago
6
@nellz4estfairyz Begonias do not like their leaves wet. If you must spray it down, be sure to dry it gently with paper towels before placing it anywhere in your home. If you use Neem oil on the more delicate begonias leaves, you will burn their leaves.
@nellz4estfairyz When in doubt, you can test the spray on one leaf. I honestly, don’t have any fuzzy plants, but I did need to use it on a plant with more delicate leaves, so I tested it first on one leaf to make sure it wouldn’t damage it. Hope this helps! 😊
I wouldn’t spray Rex begonia leaves. It can cause mold or fungal issues. Totally agree with @Rockrlee about not using neem. Isolate him for a few weeks. I’ve had success with putting begonias in a container/terrarium until they get situated. They love the humidity and you can watch for pests. I’ve used a dome, or a storage box, or even just a large ziplock bag. The plus here too is you don’t have to water much because it’s contained. 👍🪴
Here’s a couple pics, a cane begonia I trimmed back in a baggie and a new rhizome cutting from my favorite Rex in the dome. When you do this you have to allow for some air circulation every few days otherwise they can get moldy. And when you’re ready to take them out just do it gradually, like leave the bag opened a bit and each day open it more and more. That way they can adjust to the lower humidity of your home.
@MariansOasis I didn’t see your pictures, but thanks for this info. I can see that neem oil might be too harsh for begonia. And while I know that they don’t like there leaves sprayed with water (or I don’t think they do?) mine has accidentally got misted and so far it seems fine. I think house it so dry that the leaves dry very quickly.
