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!

[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

[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.

[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.

[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]

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.

[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.

[early]

Yesterdaywas a day from HE DoubleEL… Panicked apout white veins and some white spots on 5 or my 13 Phals, quickly got advice on scale from Roberta, more advice from Ray, Camille, and others I can not remember so please forgive. Called Osuna Nursery in North ABQ/NM, who said bring some in for diagnosis. I did, got lost finding them, drove 80 miles round trip,, for got to eat after breakfast, vomiting and ill in parking lot after diagnosis/from low blood sugar, found my Phals were all ok, got good advice on how to water Phals in Dry New Mexico. Regain energy in park lot, and of course went to green houses to see the orchids. Saw giant Phals with white veins in leaves, even a new leaf on some that had been cut Yikes! not in the greatest of shape but all blooms beautiful. Checked out minis....no Phals there But...fell in love with a lovely yellow and wine color that had three healthy Bulbs with leave growning out, stem with blooms growing from medium to side of bulbs. ask about NOID, said Den. I rushed home and started research and I think it is a twinkle type of mini Oncidium. Appears very healthy. Put in BR under lights until this morn. Successful in taking close up Photos of my dancing beauty....Now after 12 hours sleep, I am going to go to Oncidium Alliance and ask question, go to web about twinkle minis, even YouTube to check out MissOrchid's photos for some ID hints, and to ASO and making plans to go on the first sunday of march to the Albuquerque botanical garden
and to the ABQ society meeting...Yea. Thanks Camille. Had plan to go in Feb but did not make it. This scare of my Phals has put the fear of God in me. I need to know more about Orchids if I am going to be a good Mama to them. to me

---------- Post added at 03:17 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:00 PM ----------

Alice, South Park, DeaC and anyone else that helped me thought my mini-crisis for my regualar and mini phals with white spots and white veins.
Diagnosis....normal from dehydration and white spots not a problem.
Treatment, In NM, we are so dry, orchids, especially the ones I have that are in all S/H, when I flush and fertilize, leave the S/H in the water for 5 to 10 mins before allowing to drain out the holes.

In the mean time for the rest of my once or twice watering with weakly weekly 20 20 20, I am going to buy distilled water, and order an RO to get my pH down to normal and keep it from 5.5 to 6.5 if I can. Thanks for all the advice about semi-hydro Ray. I am reading about it as much as I can.

---------- Post added at 03:19 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:17 PM ----------

Does anyone have a mini twinkle Onc?