Hi, I'm Judy Mirro, an Extension Master Gardener,
coming to you from the University of Vermont Greenhouse.
I'm here to help you become a houseplant hero,
by providing some guidance on caring for your house plants.
Today our focus is on the Begonia Maculata,
better known as the Angel Wing Begonia.
This particular variety is the Polka Dot Begonia.
This sturdy upright stem plant prefers bright light
to part shade, but no direct sun.
It'll do swell in well drained soils
and can handle a monthly dose of fertilizer.
This variety has gorgeous dark green leaves,
and it's covered in polka dots.
If you notice, the underside of these leaves is gorgeous.
It's got a beautiful maroon color.
Ugh, just love it.
And just look, it's just like angel's wings, just gorgeous.
You'll be rewarded with clusters of flowers in the summer.
If you don't cut this back,
this Begonia could actually grow four feet tall.
You can easily cultivate it by stem cuttings and divisions.
If you don't have a moisture meter,
just water it when the top of the soil begins to dry out.
Begonias can be the target of a number of pests,
aphids, whiteflies, mealybugs and scale.
If you over-water, or as I like to say,
over-love your plants,
you will invite one of these pests into your home.
All of them will leave telltale signs that they've moved in.
Make sure you are looking at the leaves and stems
every time you water.
If you notice anything suspicious,
pull the plant aside and do some additional monitoring.
Look for webbing under the leaves,
look for small white bumps on top of the stems,
or anything that's crawling on the plant.
I use a small handheld lens and a magnifying glass
for just this purpose.
What should you do if you find pests on your plant?
Hose the plant off gently at the first sign of pests,
outside is best, but if it's less than 55 degrees,
best to place the plant in the shower
or the sink and give it a good rinse.
Gently blast away any pests.
And they might be hanging on, so that's a good thing to do.
Remove any infected leaves or stems.
Once your plant is drip dry,
while it's still in the sink or the shower,
gently spray some Neem Oil, or horticultural oil,
to kill off any bugs that remain.
And of course, always make sure you read the directions
carefully and completely
before applying any pest application.
And remember to wear all the required safety gear.
To keep insects and fungus from attacking your house plants,
you'll need to maintain good air circulation
and stop over-watering, or as I like to say,
over-loving your plants.
Remember, that by providing your plants
with the conditions and care they need,
you too can be a house plant hero.
For more information on house plants or home gardens,
visit the UVM Extension Master Gardener Website,
and see our garden resources page.
Or contact an Extension Master Gardener volunteer
at the helpline.
The phone number is on the screen.
This is Extension Master Gardener, Judy Mirro,
wishing you happy growing.