Here are pictures of my poor afflicted Chia Lin, a big plant that I've had just under a year. It put up four big new healthy pb's this spring/summer, and has now blasted a total of four sheaths on those.

Seems like I've had it hiding in the foliage for too long, something's infected it. Anybody got an idea what this is and how to treat it? The white fuzzy stuff wipes off with a finger, not mealybugs, maybe fungal infection of some sort?

Where the white fuzzy stuff is on the back of the leaf, the front of the leaf has a yellow spot. This leaf is the worst. Here are pictures of both sides.

I'm not sure, but I think it is the juvenile stage of a soft scale insect. I've been battling the same thing, so would love to hear from someone who knows for sure.

I'm thinking you're right, Carol. I just took a damp paper towel and wiped all the white stuff off the back of one leaf.

Yellow color came off on the paper towel from under the white fluffy areas, so possibly bug juices. Could not id anything even with a magnifying glass, though.

Scales, scales scales!! Isolate immediately please and really inspect every Orchid nearby, especially Cattleyas. They get under the papery skin covering pseudobulbs and into every nook and cranny. Cymbidiums are magnets for these bugs!!
I would get the Bayer treatment in the blue bottles containing Imidacloprid. I myself would take a plant that badly infected and submerge it totally for a day.
http://www.bayeradvanced.com/r...
The dilution I use is 2 ozs/Gallon water.

If it weren't for this type of scale, I would be such a happy camper!! My greenhouse is never totally free of it, but I think with frequent inspection i manage to stay on top of it. Not always easy!!

Hope that helps!

Elaine, Google 'Diaspis boisduvali'

Jim

Got it, Thanks Jim, and Ursula you're right of course. That's what it is.

I first read the UF article on this, but they also had a link to the article on the AOS site here
http://www.aos.org/Default.asp... It was the best.

I cleaned the whole plant with a soft cloth soaked with Neem oil solution and isolated it. So far, no other plants seem to have any signs. Now repotting and chemical warfare shall commence! Onward!

Just what I needed when I'm leaving town for a week, next Sunday! My bro will be here but knows nothing about plants so . . . will have to treat them just before I leave, then hope for the best.

I have lots of scale too but I am vigilant. I personally found that neem did not work as well as the Bayer. But I have also used pure isopropyl alcohol with a tablespoon of peppermint soap (Dr.Woods). I've gone back to Bayers for the thrips who have invaded lately.

, I do spot cleaning like that too, and I find that a really good infestation needs a decent systemic, right? Spot cleaning with a soft cloth might not get into every corner where they hide really well and come out to smirk at you!

this does not sound fun..or easy...

I got the "bomb 'em" advice from Laurel on the other forum, too. Lindsay, it's actually too darned easy when you use the 'big guns' like the Bayer systemic. Organic controls are much more work.

I have the Bayer 3-in-1 concentrate, so will let the plant recover for a few days and then re-pot, douse and spray with Bayer right before I leave for my trip.

That oughta get the little, you know, bugs.

Thanks all!

I would suggest to simply soak it in a bucket. This way you are not spraying it all over the place either. As always - use as directed, wear gloves etc. A gentle toothbrush will dislodge dead bugs after the treatment.

Btw regarding the "Big Guns" - the active ingredient in the Bayer stuff is Imidacloprid which is also used in Flea collars for Dogs, see Advantix.

I use Orthene, 1 tbls per gallon of water. It is recommended by all of the orchid folks here.

Jim

Orthene will work perfectly too.