Propolis on mealiebugs - Orchid Board

Kath · #1 11-29-2008, 07:36 AM

I think I have mealiebugs on my phal and I have started to treat some of the plants with propolis (supplied by bees), and it seems to have the desired effect. Do these bugs cause the leafs to wilt?

Blueszz · #2 11-29-2008, 06:17 PM

I can't help you with the leaves but I like to hear from you how you used the propolis? Would you like to explain that? Did you spray it on it or? :-)

Kath · #3 11-30-2008, 12:27 PM

I painted it on with a small brush. The plants seem quite happy at the moment, I'll keep you posted. I must be careful keep the plant clear of "wooly" marks

Blueszz · #4 11-30-2008, 01:09 PM

I never heard of Propolis being used to treat bugs on plants, was quit surprised to read this.
I don't have a bottle here at the moment, but does it contain alcohol? In that case this might be the reason it works? Just thinking ;-)

Kath · #5 11-30-2008, 01:19 PM

Propolis is made by the bees in the hive, and it is a hard substance which must be added to alcohol. Could be the alcohol, but propolis is an amazing product used for all sorts of tings. The Egyptians used in to mumify their dead! Could be that which frighens off the mealiebugs!

Kath · #6 03-03-2009, 10:26 AM

I'm back again with my mealie bugs! I think they came into my house on a masdavallia, which I've since managed to kill off. I thought mealies were only found on phals, is that so? I seem to have the problem under control, but one must be careful all the time!

Sandy4453 · #7 03-03-2009, 11:13 AM

I recently started using 50/50 alcohol/409 after reading that Sue uses it with good results. It works!!! The best thing to do though is unpot the plant and get to the roots. You may also want to replace the medium. I've used it without repotting and so far, so good but the problem seemed to be contained and not widespread.

One word of caution. If you're considering neem oil, it works wonders on all orchids EXCEPT Phals. Every single time I've used neem on them, they've suffered major setbacks, losing leaves for one, plus sulking and slowing down in their overall growth. Proceed with caution on Phals but everything else, neem works great for mealies.