Pests!

[adalberto09]

Hi. Recently I've been having issues with my orchids flowering. Either the spikes die before growing completely or the buds die and/or fall off before opening. I have over 200 orchids that I've bought in the past two years. My collection consists of Vandas, Dendrobiums, Cattleyas, Phalaenopsis, Oncidiums and others I can't spell...lol. Earlier today I saw what I believe are Mealybugs on some of my orchids, on another what I believe are Aphids. Just now I saw on a few orchids something that looks like a flea but smaller, not sure what these are. In the past I've had issues with what I always thought was scale (which I really haven't been able to get rid of) and now I'm not really sure if it was ever scale. I would like to send pictures, but these little suckers are very tiny.

I've read about using alcohol and dish soap, but I believe I have a huge infestation. What can I use and how often do I use it? Do I repot all of the orchids now?

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Warmest Regards,

Adalberto
Puerto Rico


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[adalberto09]

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[adalberto09]

In this pic you can see the tiny black insects I mentioned in my previous message.

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[james mickelso]

I would use an insecticidal soap or just Bayer Complete insecticide. I'm one of the "get out the big guns and kill em all !!!" kinda guys. Use a systemic insecticide because anything growing outdoors is prone to getting an infestation again no matter what you use.

[adalberto09]

Thanks James for replying. Are those products safe to use on spikes, buds and flowers? Do I spray the whole plant with it? I currently have neem oil and Malathion, can I use these or should I go for the Bayer Complete?

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[WhiteRabbit]

Is it a heavy infestation? Many things used to kill the pests will kill blooms/buds if used on them. Some rubbing alcohol sprayed on the buds/blooms will probably not kill or damage the flowers. Alcohol will only kill the bugs that get directly sprayed however, so if there's a bad infestation, it won't be too effective. I do use rubbing alcohol often on aphids on buds, and so far it hasn't hurt anything, but I do frequently check the plants, as aphids can be an on-going issue for me this time of year.

[james mickelso]

I opt to spray the entire plant. I make a dilute mix of malathion with a couple drops of dish soap to keep it on the plant. This way you don't have to saturate the plant while most of it runs off. Be very careful with malathion because it is toxic. Wear gloves and don't breathe it. Spray outside. Same with the Bayer products. I like the Bayer because it is a systemic which means the plant absorbs it into it's system and kills anything that chews or sucks it's juices. Much better. I used malathion for years on my bonsai trees.

[quiltergal]

I second the Bayer recommendation. I use Advanced 3 in 1 which also takes care of mites. It is also a systemic.

[RandomGemini]

I went with the bayer stuff to kill off an infestation of mealybugs too. Use gloves. Do it outside. Point the sprayer so that it's going to spray along with the direction of the wind, so you don't get any on you and then leave the plant outside to dry and bring it in just before nightfall.

Make sure to use these insecticides in the early morning, before bees become active, unless you have an Africanized colony nearby, then spray away.

[A. thom Aberdares]

Mealybugs, easy to kill with all kind of stuff, provided you really drench the creatures themselves. Systemic insecticides, which have to be taken up by the plant first, are not such a strong option. Because the Mealybugs have already reduced the transpiration of the plant, and therefore the uptake of any systemic media drench as well.