White fuzzy stuff

[angelaaloisio]

I have not watered my phals for long time about a 4-6 weeks I imagine. The leaves are still green, no blooms since last year, but there is some sort of white fuzzy stuff on tips where blooms would come in if it was blooming. I would describe as like something between a caterpillar cocoon and a powdery mildew consistence like you would see on roses. Any ideas what this is or if bad for plant.

[Susie11]

Could be the dreaded mealy bugs!! a pic would help if you can take one.

[angelaaloisio]

cant seem to get close enough and clear enough photo for white fuzzy stuff

Does it look like this?




Closer:



Those are mealybugs on my sago palm. Nasty creatures and definitely bad for your orchids.

[Susie11]

Originally Posted by orchideya

Does it look like this?

Those are mealybugs on my sago palm. Nasty creatures and definitely bad for your orchids.

Yuck, I had them once on one of my phrags. They were soon gone for good though after a paintbrush dripping with meths was liberally brushed all over the plant a few times! Did the trick though and they never came back

[angelaaloisio]

Yes looks like those photos. And pretty sure are mealy bugs after getting 2 or 3 off the plant and actually seeing them move around. First thought was some sort of mold since i couldnt see anything moving
So now what do i do for plants.
I have one plant that was across the room that was dendrobium.Stem still green but no leaves and totally bug infested. Maybe should get rid of that one. Not sure if alive or not.
The other one is a Phal that I was asking about and doesnt seem to be too bad at this point. Plucked a few very unhappy bugs off and fed them to my mantid. What can I do for treatment?
Thanks
Angela

[Susie11]

Originally Posted by angelaaloisio

Yes looks like those photos. And pretty sure are mealy bugs after getting 2 or 3 off the plant and actually seeing them move around. First thought was some sort of mold since i couldnt see anything moving
So now what do i do for plants.
I have one plant that was across the room that was dendrobium.Stem still green but no leaves and totally bug infested. Maybe should get rid of that one. Not sure if alive or not.
The other one is a Phal that I was asking about and doesnt seem to be too bad at this point. Plucked a few very unhappy bugs off and fed them to my mantid. What can I do for treatment?
Thanks
Angela

What worked for me was a paintbrush -about the size you would use to do up a window frame but I guess it depends on the size of your plant. Go to the hardware store and get some methylated spirits -the purple one. Then using your new paint brush apply the meths all over the plant everything stem, buds, leaves etc and that should kill them. You might have to apply it a few times but keep on going until you can see no more mealybugs. It could take a few weeks. At that point you will need to repot as they lay their eggs in the medium. As the meths evapourates it dehaydrates the mealys and they die

[dounoharm]

you might want to reconsider your culture...as mealybugs and other pests will infest a sick or dying plant first and rapidly....watering every 4-6 weeks is not enuf....you need to read the culture sheets provided by the american orchid society and follow thier instructions....you wont have near as many pests to deal with....gl

[Paddle_grl]

Any rescue orchids from the half dead rack I've ever gotten have come with mealy bugs. Easiest of all bugs to get rid of in my opinion. (spider mites...forget about it!!!) I have had luck with using a q-tip with soapy water. You can pick them off one by one. You could also just re-pot the thing and run the whole darn thing under water. Phals are really easy to hose down. I've never needed insecticide for any of the mealy bugs. Just throwing some ideas out there.

[mattryan]

The easiest way to get rid of mealy bugs is a q-tip dipped in rubbing alcohol. Just touch them with it and they're gone! I go over the whole plant usually it takes only 1 time and I don't get them back. Goodluck!

Cheryl