Mealybugs on orchid
What's Happening
Mealybugs (Pseudococcidae family) colonize orchid leaf axils, crowns, and root systems where they extract sap and excrete honeydew. The waxy protective coating prevents standard sprays from penetrating. Infestations begin with crawlers from contaminated nursery stock or adjacent plants, establishing in the humid microclimates orchids prefer. Without intervention, populations explode within 4-6 weeks, causing leaf yellowing, stunted growth, and secondary fungal infections from honeydew residue.
How to Fix It
- 1
Isolate infested plant immediately to prevent crawler spread to collection
- 2
Mix 70% isopropyl alcohol 1:1 with water in spray bottle
- 3
Apply directly to visible mealybugs using cotton swab—target leaf axils, crown crevices, and root bases
- 4
Repeat treatment every 5-7 days for 4-6 weeks to break lifecycle
- 5
Increase airflow with oscillating fan to reduce humidity that favors reinfestation
What You'll Need
How to Prevent It
Quarantine all new orchids 2-4 weeks before introducing to collection. Inspect weekly with 3x magnification, focusing on leaf joints and crown. Maintain 40-60% humidity with strong airflow—mealybugs thrive in stagnant, humid conditions. Avoid over-fertilization which produces soft growth attractive to pests.