Many flower growers of the soul do not smell in orchid, they surround a delicate flower with attention and care.
But, despite careful care, the plant can produce harmful insects that can quickly destroy a flower, depriving it of its former beauty and healthy appearance.
From the article you will learn what insects can harm the orchid, how they look and what their danger is. Also consider the methods of pest control at home and preventive measures.
The essence of the problem
Harmful insects appearing on the plant in a short time can destroy the flower. Parasitic bugs live off by devouring orchid leaves, roots and flowers.
Where can insects start?
Pests can appear on various parts of the plant., but first of all you need to inspect the substrate and its contents, since there most often appear bugs.
Nutrient medium is a comfortable and cozy environment for them, where they are able to multiply rapidly. Leaves and buds can also be affected, depending on the type of pest attacking the plant.
Varieties of pests affecting the flower
Among the main types are the following, the most common:
- Shchitovka.
- Mealybug.
- Whitefly.
- Thrips.
- Nematodes.
- Ticks.
- The fools.
Appearance
Each of the selected species can be distinguished by the external state of the plant and the bug itself. This will help to effectively deal with the enemy, which appeared on a beautiful flower.
- Shchitovka. The black bugs themselves, they dig into the succulent orchid leaves, on which bumps appear, visible when viewed. Dark colored hillocks completely spoil the full look of the flower.
- Mealybug. A cotton-like bloom appears on the plant; it appears on the substrate, around the roots and on the walls of the pot. Under the yarn itself you can see white insects. They mainly accumulate around the flowers and on the reverse side of the leaves.
- Mite. The most common are spider mites, the hallmark of which is a thin spider web at the edges of the leaves. Launched option will be the appearance of pale yellow and black spots on the leaves.
- Pins. You can notice thin little bugs after watering, they are actively moving along the substrate. They are difficult to see, because they are gray-white or gray-brown in color, so they actually merge with the color of the roots or the ground. Most often they appear on the flowers that are planted on the moss. They actively eat up young roots, which can quickly kill the plant.
- Whitefly. The small white butterflies that inhabit the leaves are not really harmless and beautiful creatures, but cruel pests.
A photo
In the photo below you can see how white shaggy bugs look like on orchid leaves:
These photos are small black orchid pests:
What is the danger?
Generally the danger of insects is to slow the growth of the flower, deterioration of its condition and appearance, if you do not notice the enemy in time and do not take measures, then the plant can completely die.
Causes
One of the common causes of pests is the deterioration of flower care.
It is necessary to carefully monitor the temperature regime, water the plant according to the established schedule and pay attention to the orchid in winter, when the air is particularly dry and puts the flower at high risk of infection.
Sources of infection
There are several main sources of infection, among them:
- Soil taken from open ground. It is better to buy the soil for transplanting in stores.
- Infected plants can be purchased at the store. Many pests live in the soil, so you can not notice from the purchase. If you do not pay attention to it immediately, then nearby flowers may also be infected.
- Cut flowers. Together with a bouquet of flowers, you can bring bugs that can damage the orchid.
- Also bugs can appear in the room seedlings acquired for the next summer season.
How to get rid at home?
During the solution of the problem, one should follow the general algorithm, and then use folk or chemical means to clean the plant from the remaining pests. Here's what to do:
Isolate the plant from the inhabitants of the flower garden to prevent the spread of pests.- Beetles and dead plant parts must be removed. If white or other bugs bred in the ground, then you need to pull out the plant with the rhizome and hold the roots in warm water, the dead processes should be removed.
- Treat the plant with a folk or chemical agent.
- To create a favorable environment for plant recovery, you can plant it in a greenhouse on the moss, so that it can gain strength and restore a healthy look.
Isolate the plant from the inhabitants of the flower garden to prevent the spread of pests.Watch insect disposal video on orchids:
How not to do?
Do not think that a plant that is sick, independently cope with white or black pests. Most likely, this will lead to irreparable results.
Step-by-step instructions for the treatment of plants from pests
White furry
Folk remedy: add 15 ml of denatured alcohol to 15 grams of liquid soap and dilute with one liter of water. Alternatively, you can use a solution where 2 tablespoons of water are diluted one liter. Both means are applied with a sprayer.
Chemical agent: Great fitoverm, which needs to be used twice. There should be a week between uses. It is sprayed not only the place damaged by pests, but the substrate and the whole lower part.
Black
Folk remedy: Ethyl alcohol will help in the fight, which needs to be cleaned where damage has occurred, where shchitovki, mites or aphids have been removed. Oil can also be used in this case. 2 tablespoons per liter of water.
Chemical agent: Actellic or Fitoverm should be diluted according to the attached instructions and process the plant. The procedure is repeated in seven to ten days.
Infection prevention
An excellent prevention of infection will be careful care of the plant, compliance with the schedule of watering and temperature control. You must regularly inspect the soil, roots, leaves and buds. Leaves should be cleaned or sprayed regularly, at least once every five days.
If the plant is taken out in the summer, you should not put the pot on the ground, you should hang it or place it in a large tray with water on a stand, raised above the surface.
If you follow the rules of care and attentive approach to the flower, you can avoid infection of the flower. Also you need to monitor the condition of the plant and regularly inspect the plant completely. Then the orchid will delight you with its own flowering and healthy appearance.
