Mold?? On New Orchid

[PlumCrazy]

Hello! I puchased this Bc hippodamia about 6 weeks ago. Today I noticed what looks like mold in all 4 of the growths, one of which is now dying. It was not there (or at least visible) before. And it is not mealy bugs. I am, unfortunately, very familiar with those. I cleaned it off gently as best I could with a skewer and washed it in a solid stream of water.

Can anyone tell me what it is and how to proceed? Also, do you think this is what is causing the smaller growth to fail? Thanks!

[estación seca]

That is an insect called scale. You need to move quickly. Scrub the plant gently with soapy water or rubbing alcohol (70%) and a soft brush to get the bugs out of the crevices. Some people then treat with a systemic insecticide. Others watch the plant closely, and spray with alcohol or soapy water when they come back. Eventually if you're diligent you may kill all the hatchlings before they lay eggs. I do the initial scrub and spray with alcohol, then set the plant apart from the rest until it's been pest free for a month. I respray whenever I see more bugs. The plant flowering in my avatar died from this scale because I didn't catch it fast enough.

[PlumCrazy]

Sorry about your plant

At first I thought the picture might not have been clear enough. I had a plant with scale many years ago, and never saw the white fuzz. Then I found one of the suckers on the back... I've had it seperated since I saw the fuzz, and I'm hoping the fact that it is on a wire hanger prevented the horrible beasts from leaving the plant, but I'll be paranoid for months now... I also removed the other two plants I bought with it from my tank as a precaution until I can treat and observe them more.

Hmmmm... hope my husband doesn't notice that there are orchids in the bathroom now... My habit is to be confined to my orchidarium.

And why does orchid growing have to be so dramatic? It seems like I'm pretty much constantly having crises with them...

[estación seca]

The fuzz is the juvenile form.

Tell your husband orchids are less trouble than 5 or 6 cats.

[Orchidtinkerer]

scale comes in many different shapes and forms, the ones that look like little tufts of flour belong to the mealybug genus of scale.
The white fuzz preotects them from sprays which is why they need to be wiped off with ear buds dipped in alcohol.

I use inescticide which gets rid of them easily.

[SouthPark]

If these are indoor plants and if no bees are around -------- imidacloprid --- even in granule form, can be effective.

I have granule form, and I just put the granules in a regular spray bottle, and put in some water. Then give the bottle a good shake, and then spray. Spray the leaves and stem. The liquid getting in the media is ok too. It can sort out those mealy bugs, and boisduval scale etc. No problem at all.

Just got to make sure the sprayer is a good one ----- because some granules can clog the little filter in the tube. Otherwise, shake up the bottle, and filter the imidacloprid 'water' ..... and then put in a spray bottle ----- and spray.

[estación seca]

Depending on your state, imidacloprid liquid may be sold for spraying. It's available in Arizona but not California.

[SouthPark]

Good point by ES! Some places don't allow imidacloprid - as it is devastating on the bee population.

[Dusty Ol' Man]

I've mentioned this before, but I have used marathon for scale with good results. Either spray or dab it on with a Qtip. One cupful in a quarter of water is plenty.

[SouthPark]

Originally Posted by Dusty Ol' Man

I have used marathon

Interesting! Marathon appears to be imidacloprid.

I also heard of malathion - but haven't used that one yet. Pretty sure that is an effective treatment too.