Damage to new leaf from mealybug...what to do?
 

This poor Phal had really suffered under my care before I discovered this forum but thanks to all the help I've received here it began to recover putting out new roots (4 total now and all appearing to do well still) and a new leaf. I posted a pic in the beginner discussion forum and some sharp eyed members informed me I had mealybugs. I am treating as advised and only found one other (a week or so ago) and continue to diligently inspect it. The problem is that the new leaf is splitting, I hoped the split wouldn't get worse with the bugs gone but it is anyway and I don't know what to do...leaving it alone only seems to be making it worse :-/

All you can do is leave it alone and hope that it stops.

Ok, thank you.
And thank you for helping me identify that I had the darn buggies in the first place :)

i accidentally split a new leaf in my phal recently and as it grew it kept splitting for some time...got me all worried also... but it finally stopped after the leaf got bigger and there was less tension pulling the halves apart

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk

here's a pic... so i think they usually do stop splitting... http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/05/17/ny5yse8y.jpg

sorry about the dirty sink... lol. this little guy was a basal keiki from one of my older orchids. this orchid has given me 3 keiki already. can't wait till this one gets to blooming size... :D

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk

You're welcome, but I think WhiteRabbit had a hand in that too. :)

Those things are evil. I found one on my brand new masdevallia and about had a heart attack. I was so mad I was raging in a thread on OB about it. Thankfully, the folks here are awesome and helped me to see that it's not that big a deal, as long as you take appropriate steps to deal with the problem when you find it.

Thank you! That gives me hope :) The poor thing has been through so much in my "care" :(


Yes, the two of you saved me a lot of trouble. I'm certain if it weren't for you two I'd have ended up with an infestation. I actually read through the threads here after the problem was pointed out and ur thread on them was very helpful...I have dogs and an exotic bird so some of the concerns you addressed were very similar to mine :) I continue to be (and my orchids too) eternally grateful for this forum and the great members here :)

you're welcome. i know how you feel... those poor orchids of mine have also been through a pretty rough time! lol

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk