Is this scales and how to treat it?

[Blue.fusion]

Hi orchid lovers!

I had posted a little while ago as I was concerned about the health of my new orchid from the florist. I just felt like something was wrong with it even thought I don't know too much about these beauties, it was just one of those gut feelings. I went to go examine her tonight and 2 of the leaves are becoming limp and yellow. Now I've heard orchids do need to shed their leaves and some do turn yellow and fall off like normal but this didn't seem right. Upon further inspection I saw on the blooms of the orchid these little critters.

I think they're scales but I'm not quite certain. I've heard cinnamon or alcohol can take care of these pests.I'm really bummed out as it's not even a week I have it, I had called the florist when I first got it to inquire about it's health so I have half a mind to call back and get refunded but alas I'd like to try and keep her alive and well.

What do you think?

[Carpe Diem]

Mealy bug, not scale. If you only have a few, take them off and squish them. Check every nook and cranny, so you can catch them all. Twice I have had ONE Mealy bug on a newly purchased plant. I took it off, squished it and then inspected the plant daily. I was lucky there weren't anymore. Some members will chime in and advice you on how to deal with Mealy bugs. I can't help, since I've never had that problem.

[Blue.fusion]

Those are even worse aren't they . They look so creepy and bizarre to boot! Thank you for correctly identifying them it is much appreciated!

[WhiteRabbit]

Mealy bugs can be hiding in buds, so either consider cutting the spike, or check the plant, buds, blooms daily.

They are creepy to me too

[Blue.fusion]

Oh no! now that you mention that, one of the buds keeps dripping a sticky sappy substance and taking into consideration what you said Sonya that might mean there are bugs hiding in there!

[NYCorchidman]

Yep, as advised above, check every nook and cranny! Think like mealy bugs and imagine where you would hide. lol

I bought a new phal last summer that had a few of these creepy ones at the back of flowers. After suffering thrip damage earlier last year (and thrips are much much smaller), I developed a habit of checking flowers very closely.
Mealies are so big that is almost impossible to miss.
After getting rid of them, I had no more.
They look really weird. segmented body covered with white stuff, and they even move when poked. smells weried too. I hate them but sure loved potting them one by one with my finger. ew~~~ sorry. hahahaha

I've seen some pictures of mealies hiding under leaves and at the center of the crown, so definitely chech there. Your pictures show you have quite a few, although not too bad. so check ALL the possible hiding spots.

[Blue.fusion]

haha that's pretty gross but I guess squishing them is effective in killing them! I checked all the flowers and outside of the buds so now I'll be sure to check the crown, roots and leaves. I used a bit of rubbing alcohol it seems like that literally melts them . Hopefully that will take care of them and I won't have to cut the spike.

[PaxTea]

I think you would be completely justified in asking for a refund.

[Blue.fusion]

I think you're right PaxTea. I think I will call them in the morning and explain that I am not happy to have found these hideous critters on my plant. The first time I called he treated me like a fool and told me that the plant was in perfect shape just needing indirect light and 3 ice cubes a week and if anything to look up how to care for it, so this time I'll have to be very firm.

[NYCorchidman]

You should show him the pictures.
Usually, any good and honest seller either will you a replacement or a refund if you tell them your plant had bugs on it.

So you called him, so how does he know what condition the plant is in without even looking at it?

How long have you had the plant?
If this is a recent purchase, it looks quite bad to be honest. Look how many leaves are gone and left. and the color...and the buds drying up isn't due to the fact that the bugs were on the plant as I only see a few unless you hand picked them off significant number of them already.

If this is a recent buy and there are more of the same color at the store, then I would totally get a new one.

By the way, keep a close eye on this plant for a few weeks for more bugs to show up. It's likely that there might be eggs somewhere that will hatch later.