beginner discussion of scale

[early]

I have several health plants that have white line down center vein of my Phals. One that is my most lush is beginning to show that.
Two of my most problem children, a DPTS Big
Red Robe, who I discussed a month ago, still has the misshapen leaf, and three others that have always had some green ridges and droopy but firm dark green, seems a little more droopy, has the white vein where it droops, and a few thinning white small spots.
I read what Roberta wrote re scale in Jan on the 5th this yr. Was not sure if I had scale or perhaps snails. I have macular degeneration, still dry and mild to moderate but my vision is slowly changing. Going for new glasses soon. How ever I have to put my orchids in sunlight briefly to see if I have more than three new leaves. I can see the white vein lines well, and the spots but today and I check them every day, I have 5 of 13 phals with the issue. Help! I used alcohol on all of them, isolated the 5, and almost cried. I need more info on scale, is it a bacteria, fungus or pest. I will do more research on that here and on AOS but thought I might get some quick advice here, I know about soapy water too. I plan to do that next. the alcohol did not take away the lines of spots.

[Roberta]

Scale is an insect pest that sucks the juices out of plant parts. It usually starts on the underside of the leaf, you notice it when you see yellow spots, look underneath and see white, powdery stuff - the actual insects. This is boisduval, or soft-bodied scale. Also, there's a hard-bodied type with a shell that looks like a little flying saucer. Again, the evidence that you see first is the yellowing above where they have been sucking. Mealybugs are closely related, and are a bigger problem on Phals in my experience - they have a cottony- looking coating. (I love spraying them with rubbing alcohol and watching that white, waxy coating dissolve leaving the bare bug that I then gleefully dispatch)
Scale is a bigger problem on Catts and also Cymbidiums, hiding behind the dry sheath material around pseudobulbs.

Bush snails are teensy snails that live in the moist medium. They are too small to actually take bites of out of leaves, they scrape off the cuticle of the leaf, which then dessicates along their path. Can you post photos? What you describe sounds more like the damage that these do. Snail baits don't do much to them... best to repot, washing the roots well under running water.

Sun damage can also look a lot like bush snail damage if it is in the range where the leaf is stressed but not fully toasted. Pictures are really helpful here!

[aliceinwl]

Pictures would definitely help. Phalaenopsis are a varied lot. Some of what you describe sounds like old mechanical damage that has scarred over. If that’s the case, it’s there to stay. I’d hold off on the sprays until you can identify what’s going on.

[aliceinwl]

Are you posting on orchid board from your phone? If you are, you can scroll down when you’re making a post and select manage attachments and then choose file and navigate to where your phone stores pictures and upload from there.

Alternatively, you can get a free account at sites like Flickr, upload your pictures, and copy the urls or code into your posts.

[early]

Originally Posted by aliceinwl

Are you posting on orchid board from your phone? If you are, you can scroll down when you’re making a post and select manage attachments and then choose file and navigate to where your phone stores pictures and upload from there.

Alternatively, you can get a free account at sites like Flickr, upload your pictures, and copy the urls or code into your posts.

TY alice, I just have to figure out if I can get the photos from my Canon Digital, which is a very nice camera and takes great shots, to my lap top. I think I need one cord that goes from the UBS to the camera, or else try to figure out a memory stick.

I will probably see my IT friend, who for the past year has helped me with all things digital. We live 40 miles apart and not spending time, full time, together this year.
I am tired today and will start my research in the morning. I did keep changing batteries 3 of them I used and recharged last year, are not holding the charge. I am looking To get another couple of new batteries from Amazon this week and perhaps a 2nd charge as backup..as I have said, \
I become obcessed with my work or hobbies and jump in with both feet. But I got some great photos of my new mini, 3 bulbs healhy, NOID, nursery thought a Den, but the way it is growing from my research this morn, I think it is a Onc, mini Twinkle ?? Have not ID'd it yet, is yellow with wine, but will keep researching Oncidiums and hope some one here is familiar with them an their care. It is in a tiny pot with what looks like Coconut husk, or what ever they use from the Coconut. I have not looked at the roots. Don't know if they will grow in Semi Hydro. Just watered it, with a flush, keeping in under bathroom lights and skylight for now until I can ID and learn about care. Bulbs look like some I have seen in past post photos recently. going to look back to find those in search.

Are you in SJ valley. My daughter is in Berkeley Hills, very busy, but I did over the phone help her repot her 2 month old very water soaked but with all healthy roots, so I think she will doi fine with her Phal which has lots of roots.

I am laughing because she told me there is a place in East Bay that keeps orchids for the time they are not blooming. After they shoot a stem, the real owner goes to get them for the blooming. Heck the beauty of the non blooming plant and the patience to raise it for a yr or two before it blooms again is half the fun.

She was IT for 20 +yrs, tech writer, and now going for a masters in some type of language. Has taken 5 classes in Japanese, was in Japan during a Typhon last year at a lang. conference, and is a new bride of 6 yrs. Busy Gal but I think she will figure out how to take care of one Phal. to her. heehee

---------- Post added at 05:35 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:28 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Ray

There are several types of scale insects, ranging from those with hard shells to other soft scales the the soft SOB, Boisduval scale.
Alcohol and soapy sprays are of little use, especially if the critters have established a decent population. Scales are protected by their shells and mealies populate roots in addition to the foliage. Such sprays only affect what they come into direct contact with, so hatching and maturing juveniles are free to roam and repopulate.

Ray can a mini oncidium live in semi hydro?

---------- Post added at 05:43 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:35 PM ----------

Originally Posted by DeaC

early...no help with cameras or phones but other than responses from OB members and online searches, have you considered joining an orchid soc. in your area? I think you'd fit in very well.

I checked last month but missed the first Sun in Feb. Thanks for you confidence in me.

They meet at the Botanical Gardens in Albuquerque every month. I am going in March. ABQ is only 20+ miles from me, and the gardens is near Old Town. I am looking forward to joining them and seeing all the orchids there. I fact I will probably drive up there this week and check it out. I have been to the San Francisco Biotanica, Birmingham, St Louis, when I was a little girl in MO. Saw my flower loving grandma nick a future cutting for herself from a rose. Even at that small age, I was shocked she did it, but she taught me a lot about flowers. one saved by a dirt poor Mo farm wife is a penny gained I guess.

[aliceinwl]

I’m probably about 5 hrs south of your daughter (I’m north of Santa Barbara). Good luck with your research. Hobbies are good :-) Despite their reputation a lot of orchids are incredibly tough. There’s ideal care and then what the can survive. For awhile, I was down to a spider plant and some Christmas cacti in my office as these were the only plants that could survive a two week drought when I went on vacation. Now I have 30 some orchids crammed onto my windowsill. Even those that like to kept moist can weather a couple weeks without water without missing a beat,.

[early]

I have taken a couple of photos, Need to get my current battery charged, find my tripod, cause I am shaky with anxiety lol, I don't think it is scale. and probably the later you described...snails. Will try to get photos on as soon as I get my cameras and phone on a tripod. And then figure out to get them from camera to computer and then on to OB. will have to be one thing at a time....grrrrrr

[Ray]

There are several types of scale insects, ranging from those with hard shells to other soft scales the the soft SOB, Boisduval scale.

As Roberta mentioned, there’s also mealy bugs, which can be more common.

Alcohol and soapy sprays are of little use, especially if the critters have established a decent population. Scales are protected by their shells and mealies populate roots in addition to the foliage. Such sprays only affect what they come into direct contact with, so hatching and maturing juveniles are free to roam and repopulate.

[early]

I am still having problems with my camera/s have not used them since summer. I have three rechargeable batteries for my digital Nikon, none are holding a charge even tho I have been recharging two for 1 day and a few hours.
SO I am as anxious as a teen mom with a new baby.
In ABQ 30 miles north, I have not been yet, but they have a huge supply of orchids and also a pharmacy for diagnosis. I am on my way there now to take three of my five phals there for hands on. I hope I am safe but won't waste the trip. If they are ok, I just Might come home with some more Phals. OH NO..heehee

[SouthPark]

If you grow your orchids indoors, then one treatment for scale is imidacloprid. It can come in tiny light-weight granules, or as pre-mixed spray, or even as a concentrate (for mixing with water).

With the granules, it is possible to just sprinkle some on the media surface, and water the media. I think they recommend to not sprinkle directly onto roots though. Maybe sprinkle on the media regions where there are no roots. The granules begin to dissolve into the water (when you water) and the roots inside the media somewhere will take some of the ingredients into them ...... and gets into the plant, which then handles the scales - usually quite effectively.

It is also possible to put a little bit of the granules into a spray bottle, then fill with some water, and shake it all up to get a liquid mix - for which to spray leaves and stem and some roots (for immediate action).

The pre-mix (ready-made) 'bug-spray' variety (not granules) might be more convenient for your to use though.