Help with Spider mites...

[Leafmite]

I have not used pesticides on my orchids but I think most products for pests are safe on orchids as long as they are used according to directions. The problems related to pesticide use harming plants usually happen when too high of a concentration is used or the product is used too often. Just make certain that, if using a three-in-one product, that it doesn't have copper added for the fungicide. Some orchids do not fare well with copper.

Sevin is devastating for most insects but it has been discovered to encourage spider mite population growth.

[FourN6]

I came home from a week long vacation to find one of my orchids came down with a case of scale and a different orchid with a case of spider mites. The infested orchids are in two different parts of the house and showed no signs before I left. I've had both plants for months. Crazy what a week away does!

I hit the spider mites first with an insecticidal soap from Bayer (not sure if its the same one mentioned above) then wiped all leaves down with a paper towel wetted with a water/alcohol solution. I need to repot the plant but just didnt have time to do that this morning.

As for the scale, I cut off the affected flower spikes and sprayed/rubbed the leaves down with the same alcohol/water mix. It was a phal so there weren't a ton of leaves but she had the prettiest flowers. I'm so bummed I had to cut them off but the scale was going to town on them. Finally, I pulled the plant out of its pot, soaked it in a horticultural oil solution for a few minutes, rinsed well and repotted.

Does anyone out there have an explanation as to how two indoor plants suddenly came down with insects? I've had the phal since mid-March and the other since April.

[wintergirl]

Originally Posted by FourN6

Does anyone out there have an explanation as to how two indoor plants suddenly came down with insects? I've had the phal since mid-March and the other since April.

(snipped by me)

My plants are indoors as well and I suddenly found the same thing. I only had scale on one plant and that plant is near the screen door, so I figured it blew in. No other plants got it as I found it right away before it spread.
The mites are microscopic and you could have a small infestation a long time before you notice the damage. After I found the mites I looked at all my plants under digital microscope. Some did have some mites but I would have never known it until they increased the damage/population. I figure you probably had your mites as well but took a close look upon your return and found them.

[notasaddove]

I second Ray's suggestion of Azamax.

I normally will use neem oil, dish soap, and water once or twice a month to just wipe the leaves. This seems to work well as an in between maintenance thing and to check to see the color on the cotton pads.

If your pest problem is that noticeable, then I would move to a more lethal option. I also use it with every new orchid that I add in to my collection - the whole thing gets dunked in bucket (I would add that I wear rubber gloves to the elbow for this) and then quarantined. Spider mites suck!

---------- Post added at 08:09 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:06 PM ----------

Originally Posted by FourN6

Does anyone out there have an explanation as to how two indoor plants suddenly came down with insects? I've had the phal since mid-March and the other since April.

Are your orchids next to open doors/windows? Do you have bushes/plants that you (or someone else or a pet) might brush up against and inadvertently carry some back in? I have noticed that especially during summer I have to check more frequently to stop an outbreak because I think those little buggers are hitchhiking inside.