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Every plant usually goes through the phase of being infested by pests and diseases and an orchid plant isn’t exempted.
However, to have a great planting season we can’t stop growing crops or fruits as a result of these attacks. Rather, we must get acquainted with what these pests and diseases look like, their symptoms and how best to treat them.
So if you want to know these pests and diseases that can attack your orchid plant, then do well to keep reading as we will uncover the most common pests and diseases of them all.
Common Orchid Plant Bugs, Pests And Diseases
Here are the 8 most common pests and diseases that attack the different types of Orchids as well as their respective symptoms and remedies.
1. Powdery Mildew
The first most common disease is powdery mildew which is already a household name in the lifecycle of the majority of plants.
It is known as a fungal infection that often affects orchids, especially in the summer months of the year. You will notice its presence easily when you see a white powder on the leaves or stem which usually causes the leaves to turn yellow or brown.
This fungal infection is usually developed when the orchid is exposed to excessive humidity, poor air circulation, overwatering, or when the plants are too close with no space.
To remedy this infestation, you can use fungicide or even a baking soda solution if you desire a natural remedy. While using them, ensure that you must have carefully studied how best to apply them, the time frame and many more details.
2. Southern Blight
This is another disease which is also known as collar rot which affects orchid plants. The fungus attacks the stem and the roots of the plant. Most times, it can also include the leaves thereby causing the tissue of the plant to wilt and decay.
The symptoms include yellowish leaves or yellow or white fungal growth around the base of the plant.
This fungus manifests on the orchid when it is exposed to high humidity and poor air circulation. It also thrives in a wet environment which makes it easy to spread from one plant to another.
To remedy this disease, the best thing to do first is to remove all the infected tissues from the plant.
While doing so, ensure that it doesn’t come in contact with other healthy plants and leaves. You can also remedy this disease by treating the plants with a fungicide or a diluted bleach solution.
3. Aphids
This is one of the highest plant-infested pests that can attack your orchid. They are small pests which can be either green or black with an antenna and soft bodies.
It affects the plant by sucking the saps from its leaves and flowers.
This infestation usually weakens the plant which leads to the yellowing or the Browning of the leaves. It also leads to stunted growth or the death of the plant.
To get rid of this pest, you can remove the aphids with a strong stream of water or you can use an insecticide soap or horticultural oil.
Furthermore, it is recommended that you should treat the whole orchid Including the undersides of its leaves.
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4. Botrytis
This is also one of the common fungal issues in humid environments. It usually appears as a grey or a white mould on the flowers, leaves and many more.
This occurs to your brussel sprouts if your orchid plant is overwatered or exposed to an overly humid environment. It is easily transmitted through wounds on the plant or exposure to contaminated water or soil.
To get rid of this disease, you can treat it with a fungicide or even a baking soda and water solution.
5. Fungus Gnats
Fungus Gnats are those small, black insects with wings and antennae which are mostly attracted to warm, moist soil environments.
They often fly around orchid plants, leaving behind droppings that can cause the plant to deteriorate and also spread diseases.
To get rid of this is by covering the soil with a thin layer of sand. You can also spray a small amount of vinegar or even alcohol onto the top layer of the soil.
6. Leaf Miners
By Leaf miners, we are referring to flies, beetles, moths, and grubs. They feed on the tissue by creating tunnels, or mines, through the plant. These created mines in return destroy orchid leaves, flowers and stems.
You can get rid of these infestations, by removing and disposing of the infected leaves. Pesticides can also be administered as it helps to kill the larvae.
Another thing that you can try is by installing a physical barrier between the two plants.
7. Spider Mites
Spider mites are another common pest in orchid plants that causes significant damage, stunted growth, or even death when it is treated.
You can notice their presence with their breath by the web-like patterns they create between leaves or the silver colour on the leaves which can also cause yellow and brown spots.
It can be easily developed if the environment is too dry.
To get rid of this pest, you can spray your plant with water or horticultural oil.
8. Mealybugs, Scale Insects, And Whiteflies
Other sets of pests that attack Orchid plants are Mealybugs, scale insects, and whiteflies. These pests cause damages that tend to result in the weakness of the plant, the reduction in the plant growth as well as death.
You can easily identify each of them when you start noticing any insect with a soft-bodied with either a white or grey coating. Just know that you are dealing with Mealybugs. They feed on the sap of the plant thereby causing leaves to wilt or die.
On the other hand, if you notice a very small, hard-bodied insect that is attached to the stem or leaves of the plant like a round bump, just know that your plant has been attacked by scale insects. These insects cause wilting or death of the plant.
Additionally, if you also noticed any infestation of tiny insects that have a powdery white appearance. Just know that whiteflies have infected your plants. They reproduce rapidly and live on the underside of a plant’s leaves.
To get rid of these pests off your plant, you should try to remove each strong stream of water or a damp cloth. If the infestation is severe, you may want to use an insecticide to remedy the issue.
FAQs
What Are The Major Pests Of Orchids?
Orchids are susceptible to several insect and mite pests, including aphids, mealybugs, scales, two-spotted spider mites, and thrips.
2. What Is The Best Bug Killer For orchids?
The best bug Killing agent is the application of Alcohol on the infested spots.
All you have to do is to soak a cotton swab in 70 per cent isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol and dab scale, mealybugs, mites and aphids off orchids.
The alcohol dissolves the insect’s waxy covering and is a good tool to reach the pests hidden down in the sheaths and leaf crevices.
3. What Bacteria Diseases Do Orchids Have?
The bacteria diseases Include:
A. Bacterial Soft & Brown Rot – Pectobacterium.
B. Bacterial Brown Spot – Acidovorax.
C. Black Rot – Pythium and Phytophthora.
D. Fusarium Wilt.
E. Collar Rot, Southern Blight – Sclerotium.
F. Brown Rot, Fungal Root Rot – Rhizoctonia.
G. Anthracnose – Colletotrichum and Glomerella.
4. What Are The Most Common Orchid Viruses?
The two most common orchid viruses are cymbidium mosaic virus and odontoglossum ringspot virus.
5. What Are The Common Orchid Fungus?
The list of common orchid fungi are Anthracnose and Phytophthora which are also called black rot or black spot respectively.
Anthracnose usually exhibits problems of leaves turning black from the tips toward the base while phytophthora is often displayed as dark lesions on the leaves that grow larger and spread toward the roots.
Conclusion
Orchids are one the best plants that you can grow even though just like other plants are greatly infested by pests and diseases. But with proper knowledge of what these pests and diseases are, their mode of identification as well as their symptoms and remedy we have taken out time to educate you.
We hope that you will have a successful orchid planting season as this article has served as an eye-opener to what you should know.
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