Horrible White Insects in my Minimaru bud

[Neokate]

Hi everyone,

I have bought that Minimaru 3 weeks ago with a spike. I just checked the spike this afternoon to see whether the bud was going to open or not. I found that there was a White insect on every bud. It's about 0.5cm each. I cut the spike off immediately....threw it to toilet >< really don't know why it stays in an unopened bud. I have tried my best to find the insect's picture. Anyone know what's is it? Please help!!!

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fyRykSB60o...chidPest01.JPG

[camille1585]

That's a mealy bug, they're horrible creaures! Some of the miniscule larvae get into the buds to feed in peace, and they aren't noticed until the blooms are open. I would separate the plant from the others immediately, these bugs spread from plant to plant quite rapidly. You might want to check over all the plants that were near the infected one. Mealies like to hide under leaves, and in tight places. The only way I have ever dealt with them is with systemic insecticides, and even then I end up fighting a war for several months.

[Neokate]

OMG....I really can't believe that's horrible!!!! I just bought it from Seed Engei >< Is it effective to use Physan 27 to kill them all???? Please help!!!!

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Physan 20 and Phyton 20 are two different phytosanitary products.

They're used as anti-bacterial or anti-fungal remedies.

Mealies can be killed with rubbing alcohol.

[Ranchnanny]

I have found a few on one of my orchids and used a 50 50 mix of 409 cleaner and alcohol. It works great. I check them every morning with my spritz bottle in hand.

Sheridan

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by Neokate

OMG....I really can't believe that's horrible!!!! I just bought it from Seed Engei >< Is it effective to use Physan 27 to kill them all???? Please help!!!!

same thing happened to me with a plant from them - as soon as I saw a mealy on my plant I cut of the spike, soaked the whole thing in 409/rubbing alcohol/ soap solution (the pot and media) sprayed the plant with the same solution - and then figured I may as well re-pot the plant lol
I also sprayed and repotted the other plants that where near by this one (2 others from same vendor)

haven't seen another mealy so guess I nipped it in the bud so to speak

I had heard good things about this seller - but apparently mine wasn't a lone incident - probably be hesitant to buy from her again now

good luck

[Neokate]

I don't have 409 at home right now, can I just use rubbing alcohol to spray them?

Actually, I just saw them sticked on bud with no movement. I cut the whole spike immediately.

I just took off all sphagnum moss and soak it in Physan 20 and spray with rubbing alcohol. Is it enough? I just did the same thing to those Sedirea Japonica which were near the infected one. I'm so worry.... /___\

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

The rubbing alcohol alone is enough. But one treatment will not work. Wait and see if any more pop up and continue until gone.

[Neokate]

I just checked them this morning, I didn't find any like eggs or white dots all around the plant. So should I repot it now?coz I just took off the sphagnum last nite and they were naked now...worry me for the whole nite ><

[camille1585]

One thing about the rubbing alcohol. Don't get any on the roots. I also had them on my sedirea minimaru, and since there were mealies between the roots, I sprayed them. Within a few days the plant started having very wrinkled leaves, and some fell off. Luckily it survived the ordeal. I went back to rubbing alcohol recently since the systemic insecticide is doing nothing. There were a lot of mealies in the crown and the leaf 'crotches' and one thing that works well is to to fill those spots with rubbing alcohol using an eye dropper. I let it sit about an hour and wipe away anything that hasn't evaporated yet.