Insect damage on Phal leaf. Is this permenant?

[PeaceLoveOrchids]

Hi Orchid board!

I have a Phal that I place outside for the summer, along with some of my others. There were many more grasshoppers last year than ever, and they made an all you can eat buffet out of the leaves. The spots are everywhere and I would like to know if this is permenant, and if not, what I can do to fix them. The holes aren't all the way through the leaf, but pretty close. I would also like to know if I could use normal pestisides on them, as long as I don't spray the leaves.

Thank you in advance.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Yes, they're permanent. Sorry to hear it happened.

There are quite a few predators of grasshoppers and locusts. 2 of which are more reasonable to obtain...

1. Praying mantids.

2. Smooth or Rough Green Snakes.

Smooth Green Snake (Opheodrys vernalis):
Opheodrys vernalis - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Rough Green Snake (Opheodrys aestivus):
Opheodrys aestivus - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[PeaceLoveOrchids]

Thanks. I thought it would probably be permenant.However, can I use some sort of pestisides?I was stupid for thinking my orchids were safe on an indoor porch. I unfortunatly don't have any snakes being in the middle of a subdivision, but i do see mantids often. Thanks again.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

I don't know the effectiveness of a pesticide on grasshoppers or locusts. Grasshoppers and locusts are highly mobile creatures, I don't even know how you'd get them with a pesticide. It's probably easier to keep their predators around the property.

Grasshoppers and locusts are related to cockroaches.

[camille1585]

The easiest might actually to leave the plants inside in the summer from now on. I know that putting plants outside for the summer is nice and removes clutter in the house, but sometimes it's not the best solution.

My Phals never go outdoors because there's too many things that go after their succulent leaves.

[PeaceLoveOrchids]

I've too relized just how many insects love their leaves. I'll take your advice and leave them in this year. I'm new to orchids and not exactly a green thumb either so I'm trying things out.


Thanks!

[camille1585]

Were your other non-phal orchids getting eaten by grasshoppers too? You could still try putting those outside.