Orchid Scale problem

**Puppies2** · December 26th, 2012, 05:58 PM

I think I have a scale problem, not yet adults but the nymph stage. There seems to be some sap like droplets on the leaves. I've done some reading and think I have ? white scale. Can you please tell me the best way to eradicate this? Would love to stay away from heavy chemical treatment. Thanks so much.

**Ryan Young** · December 27th, 2012, 11:06 AM

Oh and I do the oil treatment once a week with the watering.
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**tucker85** · December 27th, 2012, 11:41 AM

I'm not sure that horticultural oil should be used once a week. I use it about once every three months. But if the oil isn't working an insecticide soap, like Safer Insect Killing Soap, works well for me. It's a high potassium soap that destroys the waxy coating on insects.

**Ryan Young** · December 27th, 2012, 12:35 PM

Originally Posted by tucker85

I'm not sure that horticultural oil should be used once a week. I use it about once every three months. But if the oil isn't working an insecticide soap, like Safer Insect Killing Soap, works well for me. It's a high potassium soap that destroys the waxy coating on insects.

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---------- Post added at 10:35 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:34 AM ----------

I left a long message about various methods, they went AWOL.

What I posted:

Method 1) listerine in a spray bottle, spray thoroughly and let dry.

2)rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide on a cotton swab with a drop of castile soap.

The other method I've been experimenting with is oregano oil from the health food (not horticultural oil) store applied with a Q-tip wiping on the effected areas, and one drop in the media. Applied after watering. This cured my Phal of a heavy scale problem, it is also effective against mealy bugs.
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**Ron-NY** · December 27th, 2012, 02:58 PM

due to the life cycle of scale, treatment on a regular basis is important, every 2-5 weeks if you have scale. I had an outbreak in my Catts one time. I filled a spray bottle with isopropyl alcohol. Working with that and a soft tooth brush, I removed scale. Make sure you remove any papery sheaths on the Catt for scale love getting behind that. I then would use a horticultural oil spray with some liquid dish detergent in it.

Anyone with an extreme infestation you may see scale developing on the roots and rhizomes. If that should be the case, then you may need to consider replacing the potting medium. The potting medium can harbor eggs and crawlers, so dispose of it.

**Cjcorner** · December 27th, 2012, 05:31 PM

Everything Ron said...

...I also like to spot check with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol. Scale picked up onto the alcohol swab change color letting you know when they are dead. I may be weird but I take special joy in watching the little buggers turn colors.

**Puppies2** · December 27th, 2012, 06:15 PM

Thanks everyone! I can't see these buggers but thinking they're attacking my cattleya and phal roots. The leaves have chunks taken out of them too. I'll try the killer insect soap and alcohol on the leaves. Connie, I hope to see these bad guys turn colors. Do I drench the bark with the diluted insect soap? I'll also change the soil after these treatments. Sounds like it needs a few treatments to kill the entire life cycle. Thanks sooooooo much

**tucker85** · December 27th, 2012, 06:45 PM

I agree with Ron and Connie, one of your best tools is a toothbrush. When I use Safer Soap I always do it with a soft or medium toothbrush and I remove the dry covering of the pseudobulbs like Ron said. Get them wet first and wait a few minutes and they'll come off pretty easily with the toothbrush.

**Dorsetman** · December 27th, 2012, 09:39 PM

I don't think you have scale at all. First off, you can't see the nymphs, unless you have a microscope for an eye and second off, scale don' take chunks out of leaves , they suck the sap. If you have scale you will see the adults , like little wax dots, or like big brown lumps, depending on the kind, and/or occasionally see the masses of white fluffy material, which are the males, hanging about waiting for sex.
Try and post a good picture of the affected area , it will make it much easier to diagnose, rather than trying scatter-gun remedies which sound as they are firing off in the wrong direction !