Old, dried bracts

[Suzanne17]

Do you remove the bracts from your dendrobium, oncs, monns, etc? They don't look attractive but I don't want to remove them if they provide some sort of protection. I'd like to remove them to make sure there aren't any bugs hiding out. I'm awfully jumpy with my recent mealy problem.

[Bud]

Those dried bracts usually fall off as you water the plants....but I use an old toothbrush to clean the plant so there will be no bugs to hide under it.
The green ones are hard to pull out so I don't force it for fear of wounding the plant.

[WhiteRabbit]

I pull them off when they are dried up and come off easily, if they are in a spot easy for me to reach and I think about it.
Remember, the still green ones may be providing protection to be growth.

[Suzanne17]

Yeah, I'm talking about the brown papery ones, especially on the canes of my Den Phals. A toothbrush is a great idea.

[kindrag23]

Originally Posted by Suzanne17

Yeah, I'm talking about the brown papery ones, especially on the canes of my Den Phals. A toothbrush is a great idea.

I think another member said they used the old heads of their electric toothbrushes and it gets rid of the old bracts really well and since some of these have sharp edges keeps them from being poked.