scale on my orchids--I want them GONE!

[catherinecarney]

Hi all--

OK, just brought the orchids in last week after summering on the porch. Checked them today (counting spikes and new roots, lol--I really need to get out more) and found scale on one of my mini-catts.

So, to cut to the chase, I want these sap-sucking parasites GONE ASAP! I've searched through old threads for info and have some ideas, but would like to hear from anyone who has favorite scalicides for their orchids.

My collection consists of catts, encyclias (cordigera based hybrids), Den. kingianum and aggregatum and phal no-ID, B. nodosa, onc hybrids (Sharry Baby and a Beallara), Maxillaria tenuifolia, Aerangis citrata, and assorted phals. Any differences in treatment based on different genera?

Thanks in advance!

Catherine

[Orchid Whisperer]

Take your infested plant out of its pot & medium. Using dish soap & an old soft toothbrush, scrub the leaves, rhizomes & pseudo bulbs to remove all scale. Don't forget to remove dry papery bracts from pseudo bulbs to expose scale that may be hiding.

When the plant is clean, rinse thoroughly.

Use a systemic insecticide like Bayer Advanced Rose & Flower Dual Action or Bayer Advanced 3-in-1 and spray the whole plant including roots. Prepare a clean pot & new potting medium as you normally would, then spray medium with the systemic. Re-pot.

Care for your plant as you normally would, spraying the plant, any any that were near it, with the systemic at intervals given on the label.

[dounoharm]

I agree fully with using the systemic, but be aware that it is not a one spray fix....it needs to be applied, to all your plants!, on two week intervals for several months, in order to be effective....its a long difficult process to get those buggers gone! for household use, get a large garbage leaf type bag, put a few plants in and spray, using rubber gloves....repeat with your other plants...let them dry in a shady area....systemic insecticides must be handled carefully, good luck!

[tucker85]

Orchid collections here, in South Florida, almost always have some scale on them. I don't remove plants from the pot or media when treating for scale. My first line of attack is insecticide soap and a toothbrush. Insecticide soap is not a poison and it's available at any garden supply store including Home Depot or Lowes. You can spray it but often I pour some in a small bowl and dip the toothbrush in it and scrub the orchid with it. Make sure to get the underside of the leaves. On cattleyas, the wet soap will allow you to remove the dried, papery material around the pseudobulb. After that you can use a systemic insecticide if you want to. Systemics need to be used regularly every 3-4 weeks to build up in the plant tissue. Wear a mask and gloves when using systemics, and treat the plants outdoors. If scale keeps coming back on certain plants, they might be unhealthy plants to start with.

[catherinecarney]

Thank you all! I have insecticidal soap on hand, and I will get the Bayer systemic spray as well. Looks like I have something one more thing to add to my "to do" list for tomorrow.

I've battled scale before on "conventional" houseplants, so I know that this is a biweekly/monthly process for the next couple of months (grrrrrr). Well worth it if I can get the little monsters before they get more than a toehold on my plants though.....

Catherine

[mimigirl]

Yes my plant is healthy: it is blooming with the scale. Go figure

[james mickelso]

I just spray my plants with Safer Soap Insecticide and call it good. I seldom have any further issues with scale afterward. Bayer 3-1 with some dishsoap works well too.

[fotofashion]

It is time for me to get serious about the scale. I see lots of recommendations for using Bayer as a spray. I have a nice unopened bottle waiting for some info as to how to use it as a spray. The instructions on the bottle show to use it as a drench only. What proportion of water to Bayer do you use? Thanks
Beverly A.

[mimigirl]

I just got a new orchid. This is on one leaf. It cannot be scraped off, as i thought scale could be. What is this and what to do?

[wintergirl]

I have one catt that has spots similar to yours and they are hard as rock and can't really be scraped off. They have never changed and there have never been any other signs of scale . Not sure what they are but under digital microscope, do not look like anything alive.