Mealybug random question...

[Suzanne17]

Sorry for the thousand questions. So it looks like I would just spray, not worry about repotting all of the plants but spray the ones that didn't get repotted today, then watch like a hawk for the next month. That room will be closed off to the animals. Do I spray the blooms too?


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[Orchid Whisperer]

Originally Posted by Suzanne17

Ok. I did check the leaves. I'll spray with the soap and leave it alone. I'd rather not repot if I can because she's budding. Once sprayed and dried can I move back to the general area? I know I need to recheck in 10-14 days.


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I would not move an infested plant back with the others until you have cleaned the plant from leaf tip to root tip, changed the medium, and the plant remains bug-free for 45 days after treatment stops.

FWIW, cleaning and repotting followed by Bayer Rose & Flower seems to eliminate mealies in less than a month.

[Suzanne17]

Yeah, I repotted and cleaned the ones that had bugs and signs of bugs. Then every plant in that room got sprayed with the Bayer Rose & Flower and they will all be hanging out there for good...the arrangement works for me anyway and I can keep the room closed off from the dogs and cat. All of the flowers in that area are phals and paphs that like the same exposure as where they were. I just need to keep a close eye on the remaining plants out in the other space...I see nothing shady yet but I'm feeling very twitchy. Some of them need fed tomorrow anyway so I won't feel bad about fussing over them yet again.

I guess I was due! I was wondering when I was going to get my first infestation. Seems those bugs come with the orchid bug. I need to be more strict about following quarantine rules when I bring in new plants.


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[katrina]

Yea, like OW stated...If the infestation is bad I find it's best just to go ahead and unpot, wash, repot into fresh medium and then spray.

On those plants where you found only a few mealies...I would just spray those.

[Suzanne17]

I was starting to think I was almost home free...it's been almost three weeks...when lo and behold, one tiny juvenile crawling on the ONE plant I didn't dose with Bayer in the room that had the affected plants. It's my deliciosa x chibae and it has been struggling with me giving it first too much sun and then not enough water so I hoped alcohol would be enough. Nope! Bayer today and isolated. .

No signs in any of the other plants, though one NoID's roots are looking a little ragged. I thought I saw mealy crud, repotted and washed- and it seemed to be mold when I got a closer look with the loupe. So hopefully it's just a bit stressed from the controls and will rebound. Still growing roots and a new leaf.

Still debating...since I saw one tiny but definitely alive bug...wonder if I should Bayer everything in that room again (but not unpot this time).