Fuzzy bus on my Phal! Please help!!!

[Lexyfly]

it think they might be aphids,but I am not sure. I keep getting rid of them and they keep reappering! Can anyone tell me how to get rid of them? I have 2 Phals and they ae on both of them. One of the phals in in the prosses of overcomming root rot. So this is just adding more stress to my poor baby! I have added some pictures of the bugs on the leaves of on of me orchids. They are on the rest of the plant too. Just not the roots. Please HELP!

[eggshells]

oh man, you got the dreaded mealybugs. Sucrashield will get rid of it maybe. Sorry.

[Lexyfly]

Is it deadly to my orchids? I hope not they were gifts from my dad for valitines day!

[WhiteRabbit]

Isolate those immediately and keep your eyes on your other orchids for them. I know there are posts here regarding how best to get rid of them - do a board search for mealy bugs/mealies. Google search also for mealy bugs orchids. Rubbing alcohol or dish soapy water will kill them. Repot into a clean pot and fresh media, and keep isolated. Probably best to cut off any spikes - they can lay eggs in buds I believe.

Read this Mealybugs

I just found a mealy a few days ago on a new plant - thoroughly cleaned the plant, repotted - found more of them today *sigh*

[Lexyfly]

Oh no! My poor phals! I wish I had known sooner! both of my only 2 orchids have them!

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by Lexyfly

Oh no! My poor phals! I wish I had known sooner! both of my only 2 orchids have them!

good news is I guess, you don't have to worry about them spreading to other orchids

I'm sure others will have specific advice on how to try to erradicate them - repeat treatments are usually necessary and recommended

They feed off the plant, and so plants will decline, do poorly, but if you treat, and consistently, there's hope

I may be trashing my new plant with the mealies, just don't want to risk other plants getting them (tho it's been isolated) - after finding more today after thoroughly cleaning the plant, tho I hadn't cut the bloom off - just don't know if I want it around - already has gone down hill - might not have withstood my cleaning well

good luck and let us know how things go

[Lexyfly]

I am currently giveing one a soap bath. The other does not have mand so I just dabed it with soap. I will tell you guys about my success or failure. I hope thay dont die! They are like my babies! I will be really really sad if they dont make it.

[Bud]

my mix:

10 drops dish soap
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon extract (any supermarket aisle with vanilla and almond extract= I have the McCormick brand)
2 cups tepid water(from the sink)
put them in a spray bottle with one cinnamon stick inside...shake well


spray the whole plant until soaking wet
make some more to soak the pot for 5 min in a pail in case there are eggs in there(but mealies lay eggs on the flowers or in nooks and crannies of plants

repeat next week

rest for two weeks and repeat again

*this is not harmful to mammals and pets but can down a fly or cockroach upon contact

[Lexyfly]

Thanks bud!

[james mickelso]

Bayers three in one insecticide spray. Works for me. Light spray and they disappear and don't come back. Mealies are brought by ants mostly when outside and can be blown inside by the wind or brought from outside on clothes. But I think most of the time they come as eggs in the potting mixes. Mealie eggs can lay dormant for months. They won't kill your plants so fast you don't have time to get rid of them. The poke holes in the surface tissue of the leaves and suck out the sugars in the sap. You ned to get rid of them because they multiply quickly and can sap the energy from the plant. And in some cases they can bring in viruses and bacterial problems. Buds juice works well but needs repeat applications which is alright. Me...I just kill the buggers right off. Nothing like a good blaster Luke.