A Detailed Guide to Common Pests and Diseases of Phalaenopsis Orchids and Their Prevention and Treatment Methods
The Phalaenopsis orchid is a rather special plant. It belongs to the orchid family. What makes it special? It is special because it is a plant with only a single main stem. Its appearance is very beautiful, and it is a plant with very high ornamental value. Phalaenopsis orchids are generally sold in flower shops and are very suitable for growing at home. At the same time, many fellow growers are at a loss when their Phalaenopsis orchids are attacked by pests and diseases. So below, Shuaishuai will introduce the common diseases of Phalaenopsis orchids and their prevention and treatment methods!
1. Anthracnose
1. Cause
Anthracnose is a plant disease caused by a growing environment that lacks ventilation.
2. Symptoms
Anthracnose mainly attacks the leaves of Phalaenopsis orchids. In the early stage of the disease, some yellow spots will appear on the leaves. At first they are relatively small, and over time they will slowly enlarge and develop into round shapes. In the later stage, the lesions will develop in patches and finally turn into black spots.
3. Prevention and treatment
From the cause we can understand that it is mainly caused by a growing environment that is not ventilated. So we should start from the cause. First, place the Phalaenopsis orchid in a cool, shady place to grow, then apply an appropriate amount of zinc fertilizer to it. The element zinc can make the leaves more resistant. You can also spray some Bordeaux mixture plus chlorothalonil solution. Spraying once every week can achieve the effect. If it has already become diseased, then spray anthracnose-specific fungicide, also spraying twice each time, once every week.
2. Gray mold
1. Cause
Gray mold is a plant disease caused by temperatures that are too low and environmental humidity that is very high, with the surroundings being very damp.
2. Symptoms
The part mainly harmed by gray mold is the flowers. When the disease first appears, some water-soaked spots will appear on various parts of the flowers, and then they will slowly turn into very large patches. If severe, it will kill the entire Phalaenopsis flower, thus greatly reducing the ornamental value of the Phalaenopsis orchid.
3. Prevention and treatment
First, we should make adjustments according to the cause. Keep the growing environment of our Phalaenopsis orchid dry, control it to grow at the most suitable temperature, then cut off all the flowers that have already become diseased to prevent them from harming other healthy flowers and avoid contagion. Then spray zineb wettable powder and Duokebing solution, spraying once every day, about 2-3 sprays in total.
3. Soft rot
1. Cause
Most cases are caused by a high-temperature, high-humidity growing environment, being in this kind of environment for a long time.
2. Symptoms
Soft rot mainly harms the leaves. In the early stage of the disease, some transparent and water-soaked spots will appear on the leaves. In the later stage, these lesions will cause the leaves to rot and then die, and there is a foul odor, even endangering the whole plant.
3. Prevention and treatment
First, control the temperature and humidity of the growing environment within the most suitable range. Watering does not need to be so frequent. Also, when lesions are found, cut off the leaves to prevent contagion. In addition, spray the leaves with agricultural streptomycin, polyoxin, and Tuzet wettable powder, spraying once every ten days, 3 sprays in total.
The above are the common pests and diseases of Phalaenopsis orchids and their prevention and treatment methods. Have you all learned them? If affected by the above diseases, you can first cut off the source of the disease. For severe cases, cut them off directly, then control the environmental factors and spray the medicine.