Bites On Phal Leaf - Orchid Board

VickiC · #1 06-15-2011, 07:17 PM

Hi everyone,
I just discovered that something has been chewing on my Phal leaf. Could you tell me what you think it is/was, and what I should use to treat the plant with, please?

I would appreciate any advice and comments,
Vicki

Oscarman · #2 06-15-2011, 08:07 PM

Looks like slug/snail damage? That is not my final answer - sorry, but I have never had this type of damage or pest, so it is my best guess for chewing damage.

Having never really dealt with that, I dont know what works best.

Had a few little hard shell snails in a pot before and submerged the pot until the little buggers came to the surface of the media. Then hand picked and squished them.

VickiC · #3 06-15-2011, 09:46 PM

Hi Dave,
I've read posts from other members about snail/slug damage, but I haven't seen any trails on my gh benches like people have mentioned. Since I've never experienced chewing damage in the past, either, I'm clueless.

Whatever the case, thank you for your reply. I appreciate your input.
Vicki

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oscarman

Looks like slug/snail damage? That is not my final answer - sorry, but I have never had this type of damage or pest, so it is my best guess for chewing damage.

Having never dealt with that, I dont know what works best.

Had snails in pots before and submerged the pot until the little buggers came to the surface of the media. Then hand picked and squished them.

orchids3 · #4 06-20-2011, 12:46 AM

Often snail damage comes from very tiny little "Bush Snails". They live in the pot media and are small and hard to see. To identify them Place a piece of apple or Potato in the pot. A piece of the peel will work just fine if placed face down on top of the media. A piece of lettuce works well also. Go to the plant at night with the lights out-use a flashlight (electric tourch) and lift the bait gently and look underneath. If you have them you may catch the little buggers this way. You can catch and squash them or treat for snails with a bait.
This type of snail does eat leaves occasionally but its worst damage is to growing root tips and new growth- You need to be sure you do not have "Bush Snails".

VickiC · #5 06-21-2011, 12:31 AM

Thank you for the tip.

I'm going to try some apple tomorrow then take a look tomorrow night.
Vicki

Quote:

Originally Posted by orchids3

Often snail damage comes from very tiny little "Bush Snails". They live in the pot media and are small and hard to see. To identify them Place a piece of apple or Potato in the pot. A piece of the peel will work just fine if placed face down on top of the media. A piece of lettuce works well also. Go to the plant at night with the lights out-use a flashlight (electric tourch) and lift the bait gently and look underneath. If you have them you may catch the little buggers this way. You can catch and squash them or treat for snails with a bait.
This type of snail does eat leaves occasionally but its worst damage is to growing root tips and new growth- You need to be sure you do not have "Bush Snails".

Paul Mc · #6 06-21-2011, 08:41 AM

Quick question - do you have your plants up on a shelf or sitting close to the ground? If they are close to the ground it may be a good idea to pull them up onto some sort of shelving unit to keep those critters out.

Another good way to keep snails and slugs out is to use aluminum foil on the ground surface around your orchids. They cannot cross over it without some excrutiating pain - think what happens when you chew on it and the shocking reaction you get in your mouth and that will give you an idea of what they would experience. It helps to keep them away.

Kelo · #7 06-21-2011, 08:54 AM

Looks like weevil damage.

The Garden of Eaden: HOW TO RECOGNISE VINE WEEVIL DAMAGE ON PLANTS

camille1585 · #8 06-21-2011, 09:44 AM

I was thinking weevil as well, or some other insect. I don't think it's slug/snails that are responsible because you would see damage in the center of the leaf as well, not just the edges.

Kelo · #9 06-21-2011, 09:58 AM

It's definitely not slugs or snails.

orchids3 · #10 06-22-2011, 06:14 PM

I agree after looking more closely at the pictures - not snails - Maybe roaches? Are the plants outside?
We have a large grasshoppers that chew like that (We call them Lubbers) in NE Florida. I see it on the cymbidiums I keep outside. The best way I have found to get rid of Lubbers is to catch them - pinch their heads off and put them in a bottle of motor oil or pain thinner. Understand their eggs will hatch if you just squash them. Remember a year or two ago someone said that they would feel lucky to catch grasshoppers in Africa where they live - considered a delicasy. You could put a Lubber on a Hotdog bunn if it fit you idea of food.