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Orchid
txangoddess

Scale on a cattleya

14 years ago

I'm in a little over my head. I have only had little big box store phalaenopsis orchids before, usually recieved as gifts. So I know the basics of orchids, feeding and misting and such.

Anyway, I found a sale on craigslist I thought was a deal, and bought several orchids and other plants from the same place, namely a good sized cattleya ... a species with which I have no experience. Well, come to find out (from my buying companion who also bought a cattleya) hers has scale, which I am also unfamiliar with, but on examination, mine has it too.

So what is it I need to do here? I am looking for a whole process, which I am envisioning needs to end with repotting in clean moss? Orchids are so complex with so many folds and such, and I am at kind of a loss, with a disease/pest I know nothing about, and a plant I know very little about too. The orchid is in bloom, has a leaf span about as long as my arm from fingers to shoulder, is a houseplant with southeastern exposure, in a pot with I'm guessing is around a 9" diameter, and is thankfully in a different room than any of my other houseplants, including other orchids. In the two or three weeks I have had the plant, it has also developed marks that look like small burn holes on the leaves, which I now assume come from the scale. Sorry I don't have an way to post pics.

And just in case, since it is a small world, I think the guy I bought from was decent, just had a huge greenhouse that might have overwhelmed him ... I don't think he knowingly sold me a diseased plant, and it was only $20 so I guess caveat emptor should have tipped me off ... get what you pay for, etc.

Comments (6)

  • 14 years ago

    First thing is to read up on scale. There are different kinds. Google scale and you will find oddles of info. Horticultural oil can be used to kill the scale. Neem is a natural oil that can be used. I read that fish emulsion diluted can be used. Check with an orcid society in your area. It can be controled if found in time. Good luck, Larry

  • 14 years ago

    I appreciate the advice, and I have been reading up on scale for the last two days or so ... I've read a whole lot of different treatment possibilities, soap, alcohol, oil, combinations thereof.

    I guess what I am looking for is what would someone more experienced than me do in a step by step guide. I haven't been able to find that on the web, though I am continuing to search.

    Regards,
    TG

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  • 14 years ago

    I appreciate the advice, and I have been reading up on scale for the last two days or so ... I've read a whole lot of different treatment possibilities, soap, alcohol, oil, combinations thereof.

    I guess what I am looking for is what would someone more experienced than me do in a step by step guide. I haven't been able to find that on the web, though I am continuing to search.

    Regards,
    TG

  • 14 years ago

    Get some 70% isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol. Add a SMALL amount (less than a teaspoon) of dish soap and put that mix in a spray bottle. Have another spray bottle of water and a spray bottle of insecticide such as Bayer Advanced Rose and Flower Insect Killer.

    Spray the whole plant with lots of the alcohol mix. Let it sit a few seconds to a couple of minutes. Then spray any visible bug bodies off.

    Spray the whole plant with the Bayer. Also spray all plants that were sitting near it.

    That should do it especially if you had to look to find the scale. Inspect the plant daily and repeat as necessary.

    A more thorough approach would be to unpot and completely remove all traces of medium and remove all parts of the plant that are brown. Wash with tepid soap and water after the alcohol spray. Then the Bayer all over including the roots. Throw away the pot.

  • 14 years ago

    Sounds like a beautiful plant. You could follow Richardols instructions, it will work. The trick with scale is follow-up. You need to use the alcohol/soap every 10 days.

    I add some oil to the alcholol/soap mixture. Helps it stick and also the oil smothers the scale. You can use regular Canola oil or a smelly oil like cinnamon, tea tree or some other oil.

    You need to be consistant and continue your treatment even after you don't see any trace of them.

    The Bayer works well, I try to go more organic if I can.

    Jane

  • 14 years ago

    Thank yall so much! It was just a bit overwhelming to try to organize a comprehensive treatment myself, and this really helps. I am a major OCPD type, and can end up studying something like this until the end of time trying to assimilate the best information to formulate a "perfect" plan.

    I promise all three of yall that as I get better with orchids and if/when I see more plants with scale, I will be happy to help others in the future as you did me.

    Regards,
    TG

    PS. You're right jane ny, it is a totally beautiful plant despite this, which is probably why I want to fix it up so badly : )

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