The Orchid Garden

scales on orchids

Question:

Help! Our orchids (mostly cymbidiums) are under attack by scales. We discovered these insidious creatures several months ago, and by then, the plants had quite a few of them.  We found that we could get rid of most of them by simply pulling a damp cloth along the leaves.  However, the problem now is that they have infested the bulbs where they are impossible to get at physically. The scales seem to be pretty impervious to insecticides that are compatible with orchids once they have developed their waxy shells. Does anyone out there have a good plan to rid us of these pests? Thanks in advance, Cynthia & Warren                            

Response:

: Help! Our orchids (mostly cymbidiums) are under attack by scales. : We discovered these insidious creatures several months ago, and : by then, the plants had quite a few of them.  We found that we : could get rid of most of them by simply pulling a damp cloth : along the leaves.  However, the problem now is that they have : infested the bulbs where they are impossible to get at physically. : The scales seem to be pretty impervious to insecticides that are : compatible with orchids once they have developed their waxy shells. : Does anyone out there have a good plan to rid us of these pests? : Thanks in advance, : Cynthia & Warren                             A couple of suggestions, a weak solution of rubbing alcohol sprayed with a mist bottle.  Safer soap will also work.  You must continue every few days for a couple of weeks in order to get those which were eggs. something much stronger but strongly suggested that you do it outside is "Cygon"  but it is extremely powerful,  must be outside.  Read instructions very carefully.  I even suggest you contact the subscribe group I describe below before you do this, it may damage cymbidiums, I am not sure I do not grow any, I grow Phals and paphs. An added note is there is a BBS service where only orchids are discussed, I am not sure if you know about it.  You can subscribe by sending the mail SUBSCRIBE ORCHIDS. From there you will get mail notices on discussions only on orchids.  If you are not familiar with subscriber groups, email me I will be glad to explain further.  This group is great for any orchid grower and they would have very good responses to your questions. ROY —

Response:

Add 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol to your soap mix. This will dissolve the waxy coating on the scale, allowing the soap to kill the pests faster.

Response:

Lily, Most of the systemic insecticides are very toxic even for us humans. If you have to use be very carefull and read the label of the product very well. In my opinion the best systemic to get rid of scales is called CYGON. You probably have to spray twice (15days intervals). Another good option without the toxicity is to use soap. I like IVORY soap. Mix 3 tbp of soap per galon of water and spray your plants every 7 to 10 days until the scales are gone. Good luck Sid plants

Please be very careful with Cygon. It is a suspected carcinogen and has been shown to be mutagenic on orchids. It can cause symptoms that look very much like virus infection. If this occurs the symptoms will go away after several years if you discontinue Cygon applications. The local Extension Service says to use Cygon on fruit trees, but then these are the same folks who used to suggest spraying DDT around with wild abandon. I’ve had great success controlling scale on orchids by first removing what scale I could find with a fine jet of water then by spraying with Sunspray Horticultural Oil at half the concentration suggested on the label. I’ve had to spray twice only in one instance. Good luck! Harold

Response:

Lily, Most of the systemic insecticides are very toxic even for us humans. If you have to use be very carefull and read the label of the product very well. In my opinion the best systemic to get rid of scales is called CYGON. You probably have to spray twice (15days intervals). Another good option without the toxicity is to use soap. I like IVORY soap. Mix 3 tbp of soap per galon of water and spray your plants every 7 to 10 days until the scales are gone. Good luck Sid plants

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I gave my orchid plants to friends to care for while I was away on vacation.  When I came back, I noticed that several had these little brown scab-like insects on them.  I assume they are the scales that I’ve read earlier postings on.  I have picked them off and doused them with alcohol as recommended, but they are producing more.  My question:  can I treat the orchids with a systemic insecticide that will clear up the problem once and for all?  I just brought back several orchids from Hawaii and I hate having those little bugs feasting on them. Lily

Response:

I gave my orchid plants to friends to care for while I was away on vacation.  When I came back, I noticed that several had these little brown scab-like insects on them.  I assume they are the scales that I’ve read earlier postings on.  I have picked them off and doused them with alcohol as recommended, but they are producing more.  My question:  can I treat the orchids with a systemic insecticide that will clear up the problem once and for all?  I just brought back several orchids from Hawaii and I hate having those little bugs feasting on them. Lily

Response:

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