Is this scale? - Orchid Board

latebloomer · #1 03-02-2009, 07:48 PM

Hello,

I need help to identify what is wrong with this plant. Is this scale? The picture shows the underside of the leaf. I am so afraid of spreading it to my other plants. What can I do?

I attended an orchid show this weekend where I had previously arranged to pick up a couple of plants from a local grower. I was so distracted by everything that was going on at the show that I didn't realize until I came home that there was something wrong with one of the plants. I am so annoyed at myself for not being more careful. I had sent an email along with pictures to the grower but I am still waiting for a reply.

Any help would be appreciated! Thank you in advance.

camille1585 · #2 03-02-2009, 07:55 PM

It looks like it might just be mechanical damage to the leaf, especially as some of these look like raised bumps. If it is scale, you should be able to peel them off the leaf with your fingernail.

latebloomer · #3 03-02-2009, 08:12 PM

Hi Camille, I scraped off two of the bumps. They seemed to be "burrowed" into the leaf. They left little holes in the leaf where I had removed them. The bumps are very hard and irregularly shaped so I hope that is a good sign that this is not a pest infestation?

Lagoon · #4 03-02-2009, 08:58 PM

Yes its scale - I hate this stuff

Diagnosing culture problems - Pests

jkofferdahl · #5 03-02-2009, 09:16 PM

It LOOKS like the damage after scale was removed. However, I'd treat the plant like the scale was active. I prefer to treat scale by wiping it off with rubbing alcohol and then rinsing.

latebloomer · #6 03-02-2009, 10:19 PM

Oh, that is bad news! I wish I'd paid more attention before I bought it. I almost have an urge to just toss the plant but I guess I'll give it a chance. Thank you all for your help with this.

jkofferdahl · #7 03-02-2009, 10:26 PM

NOOOO!!!! Don't toss it! Scale, though it leaves ugly marks, isn't tough to get rid of when confined to just one plant, and the long-term effect is hardly important! Clean the plant and you'll have another gem for your collection.

latebloomer · #8 03-02-2009, 10:54 PM

Don't worry I haven't tossed it yet

I've been reading up on other threads re. scale since my last post. It seems there are a number of ways to treat it so I will keep it isolated and treat. Thanks!

phalaephila · #9 03-03-2009, 12:27 AM

I do not believe that you have scale. I think it is 'oedema.'

Oedema appears as small, sometimes corky blisters which form on the lower surface of leaves or needles (Fig. 1). These blisters may eventually harden to form white, tan, or brown wart*like corky bumps on the lower leaf surface.

Oedema occurs when roots take up water faster than it can be used by the plant or transpired through the leaves. Water pressure then builds up in the mesophyll or internal cells of the leaf causing them to enlarge and form tiny swollen blister*like areas.

The last two paragraphs came from Oedema Factsheet , check it out. To me it looks as if this happened in the past, but not currently. I would not worry about it at this point, just be careful about your watering.

susiep · #10 03-03-2009, 12:40 AM

You know that doesn't look like scale to me either. Just spray it with alcohol and wipe it off. If it doesn't come off with gentle wiping, it is probably those "blisters" mentioned above or mechanical damage. Definitely don't toss it. It is saveable!