bizarre bumps on equestris leaf

Cinderella · #1 03-28-2005, 08:02 AM

I was checking my equestris seedling for mealies since they were on another plant and I saw something truly bizarre on the leaf. It is on the underside of the leaf and does not go through. They look like tiny ticks for those of you who have dogs. They don't move so can't be bugs...actually they also look like small brown BBs. What gives?

Gin · #2 03-28-2005, 09:15 AM

Scale ! I would isolate it and get after them , You will have to stay after them , a horticultural oil like Sun Oil at Lowes will work if you can not use industrial strength spray . If you can then either Malathion or Orthene wettable powder, with a dash of soap in it , or Rose Pride spray not used to close to the plant because of the propellent in the can . It will have to be treated weekly for approx. 3 weeks , be sure to get into every crook and cranny . They are hard to get rid of . Check the rest of your plants . Gin

Cinderella · #3 03-28-2005, 01:45 PM

I am surprised because they don't move at all....isn't scale a bug? Can I use Safer Soap (insecticidal soap) because I'm not using any chemicals at all. I would rather throw it out than use chemicals right now. If the Safer Soap is no good, I will try Sun Oil at Lowe's...do you know who makes it? Thanks.

TundraKev · #4 03-28-2005, 02:07 PM

I've never had scale. Never even seen scale in person, but I agree with Gin that sure looks like scale. I've also heard so many people speak of this stuff like it's the Black Plague

of orchids, you shouldn't mess around with it at all. Do just like Gin said.

Kev

Cinderella · #5 03-28-2005, 02:13 PM

Yikes....maybe I should just throw it out?

LJA · #6 03-28-2005, 02:14 PM

Can you pick the bumps off with your fingernail? If you can, it's red scale. If you can't, and the bumps feel like they're some kind of "growth" attached to the plant, that sometimes happens on a leaf, and isn't anything to worry over.

Gilda · #7 03-28-2005, 02:42 PM

Looks like scale to me too.
If you are diligent in removing all you see ....., Safers' might work., scrub the leaves with a soft toothbrush dipped in Safer's...be sure and get in the leaf axils............. you will have to treat it several times and if it is close to your other orchids watch out for more infestations. Good Luck !

Gin · #8 03-28-2005, 03:41 PM

Hi, The spray I mentioned is labled as Sun Oil , if you use it keep the plant shaded . The adult form that is like in the picture does not move around ,under the covering are eggs . The males move around and look like mealy bugs . Uggh ! I hate them

. Take no prisioners ! Gin

Cinderella · #9 03-28-2005, 04:07 PM

Ugh, gross. I can't use my own fingernail. Are you free for dinner, Louis? I guess I will ask DH when he gets home...he will really appreciate it. If the Safer Soap does not work I will toss it.

OrchidTraci · #10 03-28-2005, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cinderella

Ugh, gross. I can't use my own fingernail. Are you free for dinner, Louis? I guess I will ask DH when he gets home...he will really appreciate it. If the Safer Soap does not work I will toss it.

Takes them off with sterilized tweezers or a butter knife, and soak the plant on the oil for a good amount of time. Scale stinks, hands down.