ORCHID DISEASE

A other variation are materials - systemic - this is consumed by the plant and it will reach all parts of the orchid after a while, this way e.g mealy bugs feeding on the roots will be terminated.

Other defense material have fumigant effect, that means the vapor penetrates the insects breathing organs and have it terminated.

And of course don't get the pesticides somehow on you, its poison !

Bacterial orchid diseases:

A typical problem are soft roots caused by different pathogens. The bacteria's enter the plant through cuts or similar and quickly infect the whole orchid. The orchid disease can quickly spread to other plants if there is some water dripping from one plant to the other somehow. To get rid of the problem cut off the infected area and sterilize the knife after each cut. Have some  bactericide and / or fungicide applied to the orchid.

Viral orchid diseases:

If the orchid shows some unusual color, like yellow patches and maybe black or brown rings on the leaves it should put you on high alert. Since there is no cure for virus orchid diseases, have the plant checked in a lab and if positive destroy the plant, do it quickly the virus never sleeps.

Fungal orchid diseases:

Orchid fungal diseases appear when the moisture level is too high and / or the environment is too cold. You will encounter this when dark spots or grey mould growth will be visible. Remove the infected plant material, increase the air circulation and get humidity lower and maybe increase temperatures.

Orchid diseases caused by insects:

Mites

Different mites try to kill your orchids , spider mites and variants are the most common.

Microscopic by size deadly by effect, they live on the fast lane, having a very fast life cycle, adult to adult takes only about a week in a very warm environment.

When leaves look silvery, having tiny yellow spots and /or silken webs appear on  undersides of leaves. Wipe the leaf with a white material, if red smears are visible the orchid has mites.

The easiest and most effective way is, use  acaricides or miticides to kill the mites, don't make compromise or approach the problem with a "green" philosophy, if you do your orchids will die.

Caterpillars

Caterpillars are the intermediate stage of moths and butterflies, they simply eat your orchids.

Insecticides can control the problem.

Dendrobium beetle

The larvae of the beetle develop inside the canes and chew the way out through tiny holes.

Treat with a appropriate insecticide.

Whiteflies

If new growth looks damaged there is a good chance whiteflies are feeding, have a look on the undersurface of the leaf if you see tiny eggs. If yes get insecticides and use it as indicated, it might be difficult to get rid of this pest.

Ants

Since ants are everywhere, especially in tropical environment watch out if you see some running on your orchid it indicate some scales, aphids or mealy bugs are on work.

Ants sometimes live in a orchid pots and feed on the sweet stuff produced by aphids, scales or mealy bugs. Cymbidiums produce sweet fluid on flower spikes, ants like that, so make sure no part of the plant touches somewhere because the ants will quickly come in that way.

Snails and slugs

They eat the leaves, buds and growing tips, you can encounter a slime trail when they are around.  Use snail baits and make sure your pets wont reach the baits.

Aphids

Aphids are very slow sucking insects, they suck the plant juices, and crawl from plant to plant, transmitting plant diseases.

If you encounter deformed buds or flowers which wont open and leaves covered with honeydew and sooty mould, aphids are here, use appropriate chemicals to eliminate them.

Cockroaches

Cockroaches feed on flowers, roots and new growths, especially in a tropical environment it could be a problem, this "beetle" is difficult to hunt down, they are very fast and sometimes when they think now the time has come they play dead trying to fool you, kill them.

Slaters

Slaters or pillbugs and sowbugs, crustaceans like shrimp rather than insects. They live in the compost during daytime and are out  to feed at night. Avoid to much watering and do repotting from time to time this will avoid the problem. Use a insecticidal drench if the problem becomes unmanageable.

Mealy bugs

Mealybugs are covered with a waxy coating protecting them from various insecticides. Infestations weakens and kill plants. If leaves turn yellow and drop too early you might have some of them killing your orchids. Use appropriate insecticide and repot, a wetting agent with the insecticide is needed when spraying since the waxy covering repels the insecticide.