Identification and Control Methods for Common Pests and Diseases of Phalaenopsis Orchids
The Phalaenopsis orchid is a rather special plant. It belongs to the orchid family, and 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 highly ornamental plant. Phalaenopsis orchids are generally sold in flower shops, and they are very suitable for growing at home. At the same time, many growers who cultivate them feel 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 control methods!
I. Anthracnose
1. Cause
Anthracnose is a plant disease caused by a poorly ventilated growing environment.
2. Symptoms
Anthracnose mainly attacks the leaves of Phalaenopsis orchids. In the early stage of the disease, some yellow spots appear on the leaves. At first they are relatively small, and over time they slowly enlarge and develop into round shapes. In the later stage, the lesions develop in patches and finally become black spots.
3. Control
From the cause, we can understand that it is mainly caused by the poorly ventilated growing environment of the Phalaenopsis orchid, so we should start with 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 zinc element can make the leaves more resistant. You can also spray some Bordeaux mixture plus chlorothalonil solution, spraying once every week to achieve results. If it has already become diseased, then spray anthracnose-specific fungicide, also spraying twice each time, once every week.
II. 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 main part harmed by gray mold is the flowers. When the disease first appears, some water-soaked spots appear on various parts of the flowers, and then they slowly become very large patches. If severe, they will kill the entire Phalaenopsis flower, thus greatly reducing the ornamental value of the Phalaenopsis orchid.
3. Control
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 duokewei solution once every day, about 2-3 sprays is enough.
III. 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 appear on the leaves. In the later stage, these lesions cause the leaves to rot and then die, and there is a foul odor, even endangering the whole plant.
3. Control
First, control the temperature and humidity of the growing environment within the most suitable range. Watering does not need to be so frequent, and once lesions are found, cut off the leaves to prevent contagion. In addition, spray the leaves with agricultural streptomycin, polyoxin, and tebuconazole wettable powder, once every ten days, 3 sprays is enough.
The above are the common pests and diseases of Phalaenopsis orchids and their control methods. Have you all learned them? If they suffer from the above diseases, you can first cut off the source of the disease, directly cut off the seriously diseased parts, then control the environmental factors, and spray them with medicine.