Cymbidium White Pest Infestation - Orchid Board

denvervet · #1 08-24-2011, 11:17 AM

I have a Cymbidium that got a lot of new growth on it this Spring. I have been battling with bugs since I got it. First I had these little black flies that lived in the growing medium, they could fly......got rid of them with Bayer Complete. Now when I lift the plant up to bring it to the sink to water it there are little small white fly looking creatures living in the plastic drainage plate, the plate is black and they are easy to see. I tried Bayer Complete twice, they came back, I tried dish soap mixed it the water and they seemed to be gone for a while, worked better than Bayer Complete. They just wont "stay" away, what can I do? Someone said they might be "white fly"? Any help appreciated!

Ray · #2 08-24-2011, 01:46 PM

Whitefly would be all over the foliage. If it is in the tray, it's coming from the pot, and that - coupled with the fungus gnats before - tells me you need to repot that puppy immediately, cleaning out as much of the old medium as possible.

Cym Ladye · #3 08-24-2011, 01:48 PM

Is your plant outside? When was it last re-potted?

Many times the critters living in the pot live there because they thrive in the old, broken down mix. Rather than chasing them with a lot of chemicals, they often will disappear with new mix and a fresh pot. Putting them outside in the summer weather is also beneficial and virtually necessary for good Cym. growth and bloom initiation.

CL

Ray, you posted as I was answering, and I definitely concur with your response.

denvervet · #4 08-24-2011, 01:55 PM

Wow, thank you BOTH for your advice. This is the scoop.......I got it late winter from a neighbor who grows them. It was terribly rootbound in a tall thin plastic pot. It was so rootbound I didn't remove any of the old medium so as not to break or disturb the roots. I just found a bigger pot and added a bark mixture to it. Sounds like I didn't do this any favors. As I remember the roots were very thick and unlike other orchid roots.....how should I handle repotting this pup?

Larry

denvervet · #5 08-24-2011, 01:58 PM

Oh, the plant is not outside, the orchid club here said its too hot (99 today) and the sun is so strong that it won't do the plant any good, its also terribly dry here. We are in Denver. They told me to put it out in Sept and let it stay there until temps are in the low 40's or even upper 30's. Does that sound correct. It is in a East window which gets sun til about 1 PM, along with my Vanda's.

Zoi2 · #6 08-24-2011, 10:45 PM

Repotting cyms is kind of a pain but sounds like your plant really needs it. Unpot it (I usually have to cut my pots away), clean out the old media (may have to spray with the hose) then chop off about 1/3 to 1/2 of the roots lengthwise, check for any dead bulbs and get rid of them then repot in fresh medium.
When you repot make sure the roots are not on the bottom of the pot.
Joann

Bud · #7 08-24-2011, 11:30 PM

have you tried spraying it with: 2 cups tepid water, 10 drops dishwater soap and half teaspoon cinnamon extract?
This mix works on any bug, creature, crawlers or wrigglers in my plants...even flies just fall off from its perch when in contact with that mix...
I agree with ray, Cym Ladye & Zoi2= you need to repot...you can also watch YouTube videos on how to repot cyms...since theres so many instructors and videos, you just have to beleive in your gut instinct on who to follow...

denvervet · #8 08-25-2011, 10:11 AM

Thanks Zoi2 and Bud for your advice on repotting, I will do that. I did see a video on repotting cymbidium and that will help. You are right about information on line, you have to read many different sites then decide for yourself, some are way off! When I got my first Phal 18 months ago, the plant person in HOme Depot told me he had them for years and they needed to be soaked for 2 hours once a week in water, figured he knew what he was talking about...........they died a horrible death. I learned then to do a bunch of research first, then act!

Bud · #9 08-26-2011, 08:46 PM

-When I got my first Phal 18 months ago, the plant person in HOme Depot told me he had them for years and they needed to be soaked for 2 hours once a week in water, figured he knew what he was talking about-

That sure was an irresponsible advice; aparently he didnt grow orchids he only sold them...as you can see the way orchids are taken cared for after a month at Home Depot(dried and dying)and they stil have the nerve to sell it at full price(its never on sale even at that sorry state= the reason is: they will just send it back to the growers for them to deal with it)

denvervet · #10 08-26-2011, 10:37 PM

I have found some of my best deals on orchids at Lowes, they will mark them down just for the asking, even very healthy ones.....at least our store mgr. here in Denver does that! Home Depot has terrible orchids here anyway. But you are right this guy at Home Depot said he had orchids but I think he was lying.