Did my scale spread?

[addictedcountryman]

Hi everyone.

So I have recently been afflicted with scale. Woe is me. So, I found some scale on my bulbophyllum sumatranum. I took the necessary actions and q-tip and rubbing alcohol-ed. Then, I soaked with some Shultz insect soap and quarantined. After about a week and a half, I have rechecked the rest of my plants and am displeased to find some more scale. So, again with the steps. My question is, my zygopetalum (spellcheck) has some significant damage on several leaves, but I cannot find any suspects. Is this also from scale?

[Snowden]

I can't tell from your photo what's going on there, but if you're fighting scale, you'll have to repeat the alcohol process a couple of times a week for the next few weeks. It's easy to see the adults, but the nymphs, which are very mobile, are hard to see, and repeating the process as they turn into adults will get most of them.

I would also recommend Neem oil on your plants. You can get it at most good garden centers. Mix up a batch and spray the entire plant, making sure to get the underside of the leaves and the potting medium. Afterwards, keep your plants out of direct sun for about a week. The combination of direct sun and Neem oil will burn your plants.

[addictedcountryman]

Thanks for your help! I will be visiting the local garden store today.

[cherublace]

I've had plenty of battles with scale. that doesn't look like it to me. usually you'll see the scale, also you will find sticky spots or it will look like someone has spilled clear syrup on the leaves. i spray with 10% alcohol solution (90% water). never had to use oil to rid the scale but you have to be diligent. good luck.

[dave b]

Hard to tell from the photo. Could be spider mites. They cause a variety of visual damages to leaf surfaces, especially the underside. Gray coloration, pitting, small dark leaf spots, redish coloration at infected areas, and in severe cases, fine white webbing is visible. I have found that having a magnifier of some sort is a must for orchid growers. I have a small mag glass at 3x and 5x magnification. With a bright light, i can easily identify spider mites if they are present. Whenever i find a suspect leaf, i give it an inspection. Without the magnification, you will not be able to see the mites. Actually, thats not totally true. Once you see them under magnification, you can then train your eye to detect them on leaf surfaces. But they then only look like reddish-brown dust.

[addictedcountryman]

I think I finally figured out what it was. I looked up zygopetalum and found a thread that mentioned not spraying because their thin leaves spot. I think I was a little too paranoid after finding scale. Thanks for everyones advice. I appreciate it.