Identification and Control Methods for Common Pests of Orchids (Cymbidium and Cymbidium faberi)

Orchid pests come in large and small sizes; large pests are easy to notice, but tiny ones are hard to spot. Therefore, you should always pay attention to the presence of pests and look for their traces. For example: part the orchid roots to see whether there are signs of chewing damage by pests; regularly peel off dried bracts to see whether pests are hiding there. Types of Pests Aphids: These are the most common pests in the orchid house. The insects are tiny and feed exclusively on plant sap. They are divided into two major groups: winged and wingless. Control method: Aphids are small, but with careful observation they can still be identified. Once aphids are found, alternately spray Sekven and Malathion to effectively eliminate them. Scale insects: Scale insects feed exclusively on the sap within plant tissues, and some species also emit toxic gas. Control method: The most effective way to control scale insects is to use Malathion. However, scale insects have a protective outer shell, so when scale insects are found on orchid plants, it is best to first brush them off with a brush, then spray the pesticide, so they can truly be eliminated. Slugs: Slugs resemble shell-less snails in appearance, with long, black bodies. The simplest way to control slug damage is to pick them up by hand. You can also place some tasty fruit on a dish inside the orchid house to lure groups of slugs together, then kill them all at once. Whiteflies: Whiteflies like to hide in concealed places to damage orchid plants, such as inside bracts, between roots, and inside leaves that have not yet opened. Control method: Because the surface of whiteflies has a protective layer of waxy white powder, when spraying pesticide it is best to add a spreader-sticker to the pesticide to achieve complete effectiveness. The applicable pesticide is Malathion. Spider mites: Spider mites come in lamp, yellow, red and green varieties; the red spider mite is called the red spider. Control method: Increasing the humidity of the orchid house and strengthening the force of water sprayed on the orchid plants can reduce spider mites attaching to the orchid plants, but this method can hardly eliminate spider mites completely. It is best to spray a pesticide specifically for killing spider mites - at intervals of seven to ten days, spraying twice in succession will be effective. Ants: Ants are originally harmless to orchid plants, but because ants like to eat the sap secreted by aphids, they will follow the movement of aphids and damage orchid plants. Control method: Spraying insecticides such as Malathion and Sekven can kill ants and various other pests. (Zhang Fengrong)