Mealies or Paranoia?

[Izzie]

A month ago I brought home a noid phalaenopsis that turned out to have some mealies. It was quarantined as soon as I got home.
Repotted and soaked/sprayed with brown listerine, and the spikes were sprayed with alcohol. Lost the buds in bloom, but the rest have survived, and a few have opened.

In any case, thought I was out of the woods.

Now on some of my other phals, I am noticing some 'stuff' on their spikes, and on the edges of new sprouting leaves.
Haven't seen a mealie since those first ones on the one plant.
Is this dust or juvenile mealies?

I can post larger pictures if you want.





Since one of the phals that has this stuff on the spikes, is, obviously, in spike, I'd like to treat in such a way that the spikes will survive. I wouldn't be such a stickler about that, except that this was my first orchid, and this is the first time it's re-bloomed since I purchased it three years ago.
I was thinking of soaking in soapy water? Not sure about the soap to water ratio.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Cotton swab with insect spray should work just fine.

Never hurts to be cautious. Mealies are a pain. They do massive damage to newly formed parts of a plant.

Better safe than sorry.

[Izzie]

Insect spray as in iso. alcohol? I have some 90% solution.

I'm nervous about that drying out the buds. I'd really be in the dumps if I hurt this spike- I've waited so long to see it again!

I suspect that there are some in the crown as well, but again, hesitate to let some alcohol sit in there, for fear of hurting the roots nearby.

The plants affected will be in great need of repotting when they're done flowering, but their roots are still in excellent condition- another reason why I am paranoid about some mealies being down in there.

again, hence why I kind of want to soak in soapy water. Have never found a ratio of soap and water to use though....

[Izzie]

And is it possible that some juveniles have wormed their way into the buds? You might see that they aren't as smooth as I'd like.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Originally Posted by Izzie

And is it possible that some juveniles have wormed their way into the buds? You might see that they aren't as smooth as I'd like.

Idk. Maybe. But there's no way for you to get in there before the bud opens is there?.

[Izzie]

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

Idk. Maybe. But there's no way for you to get in there before the bud opens is there?.

evil buggers. Imperiling my most treasured plant.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Nope. Insecticidal soap is all it takes to off soft bodied insects almost instantaneously in this situation.

Iso alcohol is probably not a good idea in this case.

With the leaves, it's okay. Newly forming buds and root zones - questionable at best.

[Izzie]

I edited before you replied I think- mind sharing the magic soap to water ratio? I swear I've searched here and online and can't find a reliable answer.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Originally Posted by Izzie

I edited before you replied I think- mind sharing the magic soap to water ratio? I swear I've searched here and online and can't find a reliable answer.

No need for mixing. The sprays are all you need. And one bottle will last for a while. They're available everywhere, and they're inexpensive.

[Izzie]

I'd waste a lot of the spray liquid to soak the pot though....