Mistakes done when caring for orchid, pest and diseases, you can avoid them
No plant is immune to attack by insects, fungi, bacteria and viruses, orchids are generally resistant plants but mistakes in caring make tem prone to the above disease- causing agents.
Taking preventive measures
Knowing the requirements of each orchid is the beginning of ensuring good health for the plant. In general; Do not turn up the heating if you do not plan to increase humidity. Dry conditions result in insert infestations.
All decaying and dried up, yellow leaves should be promptly removed.
Replace compost that has any signs of fungus
Quarantine all infected plants immediately to ensure no further spreading of the threat.
Disinfect all cutting tools with pure alcohol.
Disinfect cut surfaces of plants with charcoal powder.
Scrub al containers that are to be reused in a hot soapy solution and rinse thoroughly in clear water.
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Methods of control
Chemical
Using insecticides and fungicides
Mechanical
Removing infested and diseased parts of the plant and removing pests by hand
Biological
Using natural predators of pests to combat them
Alternatives
herbal infusion, plastic bags or natural protection sprays
Mistakes in care
Mistakes in caring for the orchid makes it vulnerable to all types of diseases and unfavourable conditions.
Crippled growth
This is caused by placing the orchid in a position that does not receive any form of light. The orchid will have a terrible smell, algal growth and decaying roots. The solution to this condition is to repot the plant in fresh compost and remove the decayed parts.
Sunburn
This is caused by excessive exposure to sunlight or light spraying. Yellowish brown spots develop on the underside of the leaves.
Heat shock
This is caused by too much heat or having the orchid being subjected to a dry position. Symptoms include Yellowish, depressed spots on the upper and underside of leaves. Put the orchid in a shady position.
Concertina growth
Water logging causes excessive damage to the roots (especially in hydroculture). The leaves will have trouble unfolding. The solution here will be to cut off damaged roots and transfer to fresh drier compost.
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Pests
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Aphids
They attack the young soft shoots of orchids. The symptoms of an aphid attack include sticky leaves and shoot deformation. Aphid infections are most prevalent during drought periods when the air is warm and dry. They can be removed by hand or alternatively by using plant protection agents
Scale Inserts
They are very dangerous and destroy the orchid silently. They go undetectable by hiding underneath a whitish yellow layer of wax. There larvae are very quick and so small making them difficult to see. They normally attack Cattleya, Cymbidium and Dendrobium.
When you orchid has yellowish spots and produces honeydew, chances are its being attacked by scale insects. Scale inserts do not thrive in humid conditions. Wash the plant with soap solution or dip it in paraffin based oil.
Mealy Bugs
They attack the leaf axils and undersides of leaves. A whitish, woolly excretion is produced as well as crippled growth is associated with mealy bugs. Paint the affected area with alcohol.