Anybody got a good remedy for mealybugs on phals? A friend of mine has a lovely collection of about a dozen miniature phals. I was at her house admiring them and she said she was going nuts battling with mealybugs.

They look very healthy, so she is doing a great job using Qtips and dilute alcohol, but I wondered if anybody has found a better method? She's obviously not getting all the little crawlers down in the leaf axils. She called a couple of days ago saying it's getting worse!

What do you all use for these?

My husband had terrible mealies on his Slc (I think) Jewel Box, I crossed my fingers and sprayed with horticultural oil, and it seems to have stopped the mealies. I know you can't use hort oil on all plants, like hibiscus and Eucs, so I don't know about all orchids....

I use Orthene, 1 Tbls per gallon in a hand sprayer.

Jim

That will do it! I think after a while Mealies enjoy the Alcohol routine and laugh at you! Yum, let's get drunk!

Jim, didn't you say that Orthene Is actually sold as an Fire ant killer?

Yes. It comes in a round can labeled as Ortho Fire Ant killer. It is recommended by all the big orchid folks here.

Jim

I have some mealybugs on my Hoya, I should try this on them too.