mealybugs on my malipoense - Orchid Board

murphy48 · #1 (**permalink**) 08-09-2009, 09:29 PM

I've tried to deny it but I now have to admit to myself that I have a mealybug problem on my Paph. malipoense. I noticed one large adult a week ago, squished it and didn't think anything about it. Today I noticed another adult. I just did a pretty thorough check and while I don't see anymore adults I did find a small cluster of nymphs. I pulled out the isopropyl alcohol and a Q-tip and removed the ones that I found.

What should I do now? Do I just monitor it very closely for more? I'm a little afraid to repot it as I just got it a month ago and I paid a lot for it. I'm afraid that if I repot I'll disrupt its roots and make it even more unhappy with me...

How far away is far enough away from my other plants? I really don't want these little buggers to spread!

Please help me with my malipoense! This plant is very special to me...

Thanks!

Sandy4453 · #2 (**permalink**) 08-09-2009, 10:12 PM

Oh, how I can related to your problem! This has been the worst year ever .... mealy bugs have been attacking my Phals...none of my others, just the Phals for some reason.

NEEM OIL....get yourself a bottle of it and do your due diligence with it, regularly. It works but, you have to keep checking. I let my guard down and just recently, lost one of my prize Phals... all to mealy bugs. They ate away at the stem, below the medium and the big, beautiful leaves all fell away when I went to check things out. When I uncovered and examined it further, I saw the bugs were in the medium having a feast. When I first noticed the problem with the others, I sprayed every one of the Phals and it worked!!!! You've got to spray the entire plant, back sides of the leaves and onto the medium as well. 1/4-1/2 tspn of both neem and liquid dishsoap in a quart of water and spray.

GOOD LUCK TO YOU!

chips · #3 (**permalink**) 08-10-2009, 09:38 AM

I have mealy bugs on two of my phals right now. I sacrificed all the spikes and flowers and repotted the plant. I sprayed it with Neem. I also isolated the plants away from the others. Keeping my fingers crossed. I have heard from a grower once these things take hold they can eat through your entire crop of orchids. Good Luck to both of us.

Sandy4453 · #4 (**permalink**) 08-10-2009, 09:54 AM

If gone untreated, they will destroy the plants. They ate through the entire stem of my one Phal. The good news is though, they are slow moving and easy to spot. You just have to stay on top of it with checking and preventative spraying.

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #5 (**permalink**) 08-10-2009, 10:26 AM

Have you tried giving the plant some calcium and magnesium?

It's probably "hungry".

In fact, to make your life easier...try growing in limestone. OSH carries it.

chips · #6 (**permalink**) 08-10-2009, 12:26 PM

How would you give it calcium and mag? Why would you do this?

Here is a picture of one of my mealies. Someone could correct me if I am wrong but I am 99.9% sure it is a mealy!

murphy48 · #7 (**permalink**) 08-10-2009, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

Have you tried giving the plant some calcium and magnesium?

Is the Ca and Mg specific for my malipoense (and other paphs)? Since getting this guy a month ago I haven't been doing this. I know they grow on limestone rock faces. Would I just sprinkle some limestone into my mix? Or could I just add some CaCl and MgCl to my water?

Quote:

Originally Posted by chips

Here is a picture of one of my mealies. Someone could correct me if I am wrong but I am 99.9% sure it is a mealy!

Thats what my little guy looked like. Great picture! Kind of a neat looking bug unless he is eating away and killing all your prized 'chids

Thanks everyone for all the wonderful advice... I think I'm in for a bit of trouble with this little infestation. I guess this is why you quarantine all new plants...

Kristen

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #8 (**permalink**) 08-10-2009, 01:42 PM

Some places carry powdered lime.

Of course, there's always the limestone at OSH. $5 a bag is a pretty good deal for the size bag you're getting.

I'm not certain as to calcium chloride or magnesium chloride. Some orchids are very sensitive to chlorine. Then again, chorine and chloride are different ionically. Therefore, I can't give you an answer to this question.

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #9 (**permalink**) 08-10-2009, 01:45 PM

Only certain Paphs need high amounts of Calcium and Magnesium. Particularly most of the species belonging to the section Parvisepalum (my favorite section of Paphs). Maybe some of the Paphs from section Brachypetalum as well.

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #10 (**permalink**) 08-10-2009, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chips

How would you give it calcium and mag? Why would you do this?

Here is a picture of one of my mealies. Someone could correct me if I am wrong but I am 99.9% sure it is a mealy!

The calcium and mag doesn't go to the mealies.

It goes to the Paph.

The insect in the pic is a mealy.