white webbing

[brit6v]

Hi everyone,
Could you tell me what the white "webbing" on my bloom and stem is, please? At first I thought maybe mealy bugs, but with a magnifying glass, I haven't seen anything move. I've had mealy bugs twice before and they really didn't look like this. Other than cut the bloom and stem back as far as poss., what else (if anything) should I do? Treat the entire plant? If so, with what do you suggest? I apologize that the pictures aren't very good, but it was the best that my camera and I could do.

I would appreciate any advice and comments you may have for me.
Vicki

[brit6v]

WAIT! New development! About 5 min. ago, I touched the white on the stem with a toothpick and it moved. Pretty fast. In fact, it jumped off the plant, but I had already taken the orchid outside of my greenhouse. The pest is slightly larger than the mealybugs I've seen on my other two plants in the past, and they didn't move, either (but then, I didn't touch those with a toothpick). Could this be something else? If so, what do you think? OR...is part of the white area just the MB webbing?
Vicki again

[Cjcorner]

The white fluffy stuff is the webbing...eggs...for mealy bugs. I'm guessing if you look them up you'll realize that white fluffy stuff behind the flowers is your problem. I have taken to making a spray out of dishsoap and rubbing alcohol. First I use earswabs dipped in alcohol to pick off large stuff, and to be able to get into small crevices. Second I spray thoroughly, and if a plant is infested I also repot. Sometimes I leave the plant out of potting for a week or so to be able to spray thoroughly several times so I get the babies that hatch later. Good luck...hot summers mean lots of bugs here too.

[brit6v]

Hi Connie,
The plant only bloomed that one bloom this time around and I have already cut it and the stem off as far back as I could, so the obvious problem is gone (I filed it under "D" for dumpster). If you think I should, I'll mix the alcohol and dishsoap you advised and spray the entire plant anyway. What ratio do you suggest? Also, even though I saw only one mealy bug (and eggs as you explained), do you think I should repot, too?
Thanks,
Vicki

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Hi Connie,
The plant only bloomed that one bloom this time around and I have already cut it and the stem off as far back as I could, so the obvious problem is gone (I filed it under "D" for dumpster). If you think I should, I'll mix the alcohol and dishsoap you advised and spray the entire plant anyway. What ratio do you suggest? Also, even though I saw only one mealy bug (and eggs as you explained), do you think I should repot, too?
Thanks,
Vicki

Vicki if this is your only plant with this issue - keep it away from your collection. Treat it by unpotting, scrubbing all surfaces with a toothbrush, spray well the entire plant and roots, and repot in new medium and sterilized pot. Don't mess around with these things as once they get a foot-hold in your collection, they cause so much damage. Take no prisoners! I recommend spraying at first sight and then taking a cleaning brush to the plant. The buggers jump - don't give them the chance. Get em!

Cheers,
BD

[Cjcorner]

I agree with Bruce...take no prisoners with these suckers! Gotta hate those buggies. Repot, scrub and spray spray spray. The babies are microscopically small. You'll think it's dust...it'll be a baby. You also need to remember new ones will hatch out in a few days so you will need to respray for a week or two before you've got the problem under control. Even if you don't see them treat anyways...

[brit6v]

Hi Bruce,
I wanted to reply to both you and Connie in the same post, but I don't know how to do that...I'm sorry.

I already have some potting mix ready that has been soaked, so after I finish replying to you and Connie, I'll spray and repot as you advised. I took the plant out of my greenhouse shortly after I discovered the problem yesterday. I only hope I'm not too late taking action and that the varmits haven't spread to any of my other orchids. Later yesterday afternoon, I checked as many plants (especially the ones sitting on the bench near the infected one) and saw no visible signs of mealy bugs, but I plan to keep a close check on them to be sure I don't see any.

Thanks for your reply and advice...I'm gonna go try to "get em". Please wish me luck.

By the way...complete subject change. I need advice on a totally different issue: should I just start a new thread, or ask it here? My guess was that I should start fresh with a new thread, but I'd like for you to tell me which route I should take, please.

Vicki

Vicki if this is your only plant with this issue - keep it away from your collection. Treat it by unpotting, scrubbing all surfaces with a toothbrush, spray well the entire plant and roots, and repot in new medium and sterilized pot. Don't mess around with these things as once they get a foot-hold in your collection, they cause so much damage. Take no prisoners! I recommend spraying at first sight and then taking a cleaning brush to the plant. The buggers jump - don't give them the chance. Get em!

Cheers,
BD

[brit6v]

Hi Connie,
I'm on my way shortly to do as you and Bruce advised and then spray more later, as you also advised. The reason that I haven't already sprayed is that I didn't know how much alcohol and how much dishsoap I should mix together. What ratio do you use? In case you don't get a chance to get back to me (and if you don't mind, of course) before I'm able to start treating, I'm just gonna fix up a solution of mostly alcohol and add several drops of dishsoap. If this is not correct, please let me know and I will respray with what you suggest.

Thanks so much for your help. Next mealy bug issue I have (and no doubt there will be one in my future), I'll know what to do and get on the prob. asap.

Vicki

[Brutal_Dreamer]

By the way...complete subject change. I need advice on a totally different issue: should I just start a new thread, or ask it here? My guess was that I should start fresh with a new thread, but I'd like for you to tell me which route I should take, please.

Probably best to start a new thread to make sure everyone sees it. Once a member has replied to a thread, it is easy to miss new questions unless they are subscribed.

Also, to reply to multiple posts in one post, click the 'Multi-quote' icon (far right icon by the "Reply with Quote" button) once you click it you will notice it will change to have a bright green check mark this means when you finally either hit the "reply with quote" button or the "+Reply to Thread" button, your posts marked with the will all be included. You can then simply type under or over the quoted text.

Cheers,
BD

[brit6v]

Oh...got it...thank you, Bruce. I'll know next time (that is, if my "old age memory" doesn't show it's ugly face again then)
Vicki