Tropicals & Tender Perennials: Some begonias starting to grow now, 0 by hcmcdole

hcmcdole wrote:
Hap,

I love coleus too, but generally I have to treat them as annuals here. Easy to root, but hard to get through the winter in the basement for me. If I were you I'd mix your begonias, coleus, and other tropicals if I lived in Southern Fla. I made a bed last summer of caladiums, some begonias (most stay in their pots), coleus, and even put in a couple of ti plants, plumeria (never blooms), and a brugmansia. I hope to improve on that idea this year.

Sharon & Shirley,

Someone from the GardenWeb recommended Lysol spray so I tried it and it works with some success. DO NOT USE LYSOL CLEANER though (I think it may be too harsh), just the aerosol antibacterial type for mildew and mold. In fact I sprayed several today. Rexes and lots of canes are very susceptible to mildew. Once mildew is on the leaves though, you can cut it off or watch the spots grow larger over time. Lysol just keeps it at bay it seems.