Is this scale on my Phalaenopsis?
 

Hello!

I received an orchid today and it looked like there was scale on the underside of the leaves.

I was able to easily scrape the scale off. I sprayed the orchid with Insecticidal soap, gave the orchid a good wash and repotted it into fresh medium.

I have never dealt with scale before and am not sure if what I am looking at here is in fact scale. They were dry brown spots.

Is this scale?
If this is scale do I need to worry about there being more even though I dont visibly see any more?

Thank you!

That's all you have to do for sure. Just gently scrape off, and spray some insecticidal soap on the leaves, tip the plant over on its side to drain out most of the water that might lodge in the crown area. Then let dry.

Yes, scale. And it's obvious. I would not buy from that seller again. They have no pride in what they sell.

E.S. has a great point there. I wouldn't have expected it to be seen in an incoming orchid like that. Unsatisfactory.

Thank you for your thoughts! I am considering if I should mention something to the seller. I am very new to purchasing orchids online and was not sure what to expect.

Most welcome O.G. If the seller appeared to be nice, then it should be ok to just mention something, so that they know that you know about something that shouldn't have occurred.

Definitely tell the seller.

“Hi. Just wanted you to know that the plant I just got from you was infested with brown scale. I believe I’ve taken care of it, but I thought you should be aware that you’re shipping contaminated plants.”

The tone of the reply should give you an idea of the quality of the vendor.