Encyclia Cindy Question

[tim abbott]

I bought this Encyclia Cindy at an orchid show a few months ago, it has grown to 2-3 times its origional size and the roots have established themselves pretty good, however I keep seeing something resembling a spider web texture on the leaves(third picture has a close up view). I have removed it & it reappears. I don't have it with my other orchids presently. Does anyone know what the white fuzzy stuff is & is it anything that needs to be dealt with(ie is it harmful)? I keep all my orchids outside, I live in east central Fl(Cocoa Beach). Thank you.

Tim Abbott

[catwalker808]

If it is superficial to the leaf surface and keeps reappearing ... and you obviously don't see what's doing it, it may be a moth larva trying to spin a cocoon. It could be coming at night.


Or since we just got over Halloween, it may be of supernatural origin.

[dr_dmd]

Just to be safe, you should get some Insecticidal soap - very easy to use, inexpensive and doesn't harm the environment in any way. I would spray the whole plant well, and then do it again each week for about 3 weeks in case there are eggs hatching somewhere. The soap will also kill off fungus if you have any. Happy growing! Enc. Cindy is a pretty plant - you should get some wonderful flowers next spring!

[Royal]

I bet it's a spider. We see a lot of those here too. Next time you remove it, sneak up and see if there's a resident in there. She probably retreats into each time you remove the web and returns later to rebuild.

[stefpix]

Maybe just leave it. maybe will catch some insects.

[tim abbott]

Thanks everyone for your thoughts. I was going to put it by the other orchids I have & I didn't want to create a problem.

Tim Abbott