I'm new and need lots of help :-)

[Nat]

Hi Everyone, I've joined because I need some help. I'm very new to orchid growing. I think this is about my 3rd year. I'm pretty sure that one of my orchids has scale. I was wondering what the best way is to get rid of it and can it pass these insects on to other non orchid plants? Thanks in advance for your help :-)

[CTB]

Welcome to the Orchid Board, you have come to the right place with your questions. We have over 14,000 members willing to help.
Scale is a hard shell pest, hard to control, if you only have a few wipe them off with a Q-tip tipped in alcohol, if there's many then an insecticidal soap, neem, or horticultural oils. The problem with scale is you have to get through the shell to get to the insect. Good Luck!

[Swamper]

Welcome to the OB. I see scale on my other non-orchid plants more often than I'd like. So I would think you may already have them on those. Yes they can spread.
SP94/IN008: Scale Insects Affecting Ornamental Plants

[jenmonkey]

I have lost three blueberry bushes, two lime trees and a meyer lemon to scale, so this little bugger is my absolute nemesis. I have tried Neem, soaps, etc, and the only thing that worked was physically removing every trace of them with alcohol and cotton balls. Every week. For a looooong time. Once you think you've gotten rid of them, you have to completely change out the soil/bark, and keep inspecting the plants at least weekly. You can combat them, but it's a tremendous effort. But hey, we do what it takes for the plants we love, right?
-Jen

[Nat]

Originally Posted by jenmonkey

I have lost three blueberry bushes, two lime trees and a meyer lemon to scale, so this little bugger is my absolute nemesis. I have tried Neem, soaps, etc, and the only thing that worked was physically removing every trace of them with alcohol and cotton balls. Every week. For a looooong time. Once you think you've gotten rid of them, you have to completely change out the soil/bark, andkeep inspecting the plants at least weekly. You can combat them, but it's a tremendous effort. But hey, we do what it takes for the plants we love, right?
-Jen

Thank You for the advice. I'll give it a go

[Nat]

Originally Posted by jenmonkey

I have lost three blueberry bushes, two lime trees and a meyer lemon to scale, so this little bugger is my absolute nemesis. I have tried Neem, soaps, etc, and the only thing that worked was physically removing every trace of them with alcohol and cotton balls. Every week. For a looooong time. Once you think you've gotten rid of them, you have to completely change out the soil/bark, andkeep inspecting the plants at least weekly. You can combat them, but it's a tremendous effort. But hey, we do what it takes for the plants we love, right?
-Jen

Thank You for the advice. I'll give it a go

[Nat]

Thanks. Cheers for the link too. Very helpful :-)

[Nat]

I think I'll try wiping them off first. We'll see how I go :-) Thanks for your help.