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Multiforal phalaenopsis
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* Only use
pesticides with
low toxicity,
especially in
the house. Most
of these will
have a
'caution' on
the label.
Products
labelled with
'warning' or
'danger' should
be avoided.
Always use the
least toxic
methods to deal
with pests and
diseases first.
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Insect
Pests
Most
insect pests can be gently
washed off, or swabbed with
isopropyl alcohol. Mealy bugs
and scale are especially fond
of phalaenopsis and like to
hide in the leaf axis so
examine these
carefully. Use
Safer insecticidal soap or
SunSpray ultra fine
Spray oil after reading
all directions carefully, if
mealy bug infections persist.
Do not use regular garden oil!
Hard scale is best washed off
with warm soapy water or
scraped off the leaves with an
old toothbrush and then sprayed
as described
above.
Bacterial and Fungal
Infections
Moth orchids ain cultivation
seem to be more susceptible to
bacterial than fungal
infections which can result in
brown spots or rotted areas on
leaves, which can quickly lead
to the demise of
plants.
Bacterial
soft rots, such as
pseudomonas, often
infect plants at high
temperatures and when
there is plenty of water.
These rots are
characterized by
soft fluid-filled areas
on the leaves that can
spread very rapidly.
Infected areas often have
a bad
odor.
Carefully cut out
infected tissue at the earliest
sign of infection with a
sterile blade. Sprinkling
the affected areas
liberally with cinnamon
will also help as it has
anti-fungal microbial
properties. You can also spray
plants with a
fungicide/bactericide such as
Physan but handle with care,
and try the cinnamon first.
Isolate the plant, avoid
wetting the leaves, and
increase air
circulation.
Good culture
will eliminate most bacterial
and fungal infections.
Among the two most
important things you
can do are:
i) maintain good air
circulation whenever
humidity is high, irrespective
of temperature and
ii) make sure foliage is dry by
nightfall by watering plants
early in the
day.
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