Scale in spring = damaged flowers in summer - Orchid Board

nancy · #1 07-20-2007, 04:39 PM

Let this be a warning - nip these little buggers in the bud. After treating all (rainy, rainy) spring for boisduval scale, this is how my lovely flowers of Catt. Victory turned out - okay to keep in the house, but embarrassing to show to anyone. A shame. See the tiny clear spots? Buds damaged as they were forming.
Regards - Nancy

Ross · #2 07-20-2007, 06:01 PM

Thanks for the warning. Scale is nasty and creeps on you, doesn't it?

cb977 · #3 07-20-2007, 06:03 PM

It's so disappointing when you wait so long for a bloom and it turns out "not perfect"

Still pretty

Dorothy · #4 07-20-2007, 06:10 PM

Well, I think it's still a beauty!

Nasty scale!

Take that!

reinbo15 · #5 07-24-2007, 08:23 PM

Were the scale directly on the buds? Those things are so disgusting! I just rescued a huge Phal Brother Apollo with a bad case of scale. I've seen them on the spike and flowers, but not on the buds. Hmmm...

nancy · #6 07-26-2007, 03:46 PM

The scale were on the foliage, including the bud sheaths. By the time the buds themselves emerged, the damage was already done.
Pretty distressing to see an unblemished plant, turn it around, and find the *other* side dusted with these varmints. Grrrr!

Ross · #7 07-26-2007, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nancy

The scale were on the foliage, including the bud sheaths. By the time the buds themselves emerged, the damage was already done.
Pretty distressing to see an unblemished plant, turn it around, and find the *other* side dusted with these varmints. Grrrr!

FWIW, I spend some time every day I water lokking over my plants in detail for scale and other creepy-crawlers. I've been surprised to find scale crop up almost overnight, but when I check them several times a week, the buggers don't get far.