Is Phalaenopsis prone to pests when there is no ventilation? Plus pest prevention methods

Autumn has arrived, and in many parts of the south the weather is still mainly hot, with occasional sudden thunderstorms, and this kind of weather is the most likely to breed mosquitoes and pests. If you have the delicate "Phalaenopsis" at home, you need to take preventive measures in advance in this season's weather, otherwise once a pest infestation breaks out it is very hard to fix.

How do you prevent and beat pests when growing Phalaenopsis? First, do a good job of daily ventilation! Although this sounds easy, not everyone actually does it as required, especially in hot and humid environments, where ventilation should last at least four or five hours. This is because in places with good air circulation, moisture does not accumulate easily and the temperature is more even, so pests are less likely to breed, since pests all like to stay in damp environments. Besides putting the Phalaenopsis by the window and opening the windows more when the weather is good, when the plum rain season comes or the home is stuffy, you need to directly turn on a small fan and point it to blow (do not blow directly at the plant) to make sure the air keeps moving, and naturally there will be fewer pests

Second, do a good job of hygiene. For example, do not pile dead leaves and rotten leaves around the flower pot. These things, when left to smother in one place, are the most likely to grow mold, and after molding they attract aphids and fungus gnats to come and lay eggs, so once you find them you must clear them away quickly. In addition, when a lot of dust accumulates on the leaves it also easily attracts pests. Usually, when you have time, wipe the leaves (the upper side) with a soft cloth. This not only lets the leaves "breathe" properly, but also leaves pests no place to land.

Then, you can raise the flower pot up and not let it sit flat on the ground. The ground is relatively damp and dark, especially in the corners of balconies and windowsills, where at night there may be "slimy pests" such as slugs and snails moving around. It is recommended to place it on a flower stand, or use bricks or wooden boards under the flower pot, so that the pot is at least 10 cm above the ground, which makes it much harder for pests to climb up. In addition, you can also scatter a little lime powder or mosquito coil ash around the base of the pot to prevent pests from climbing up.

Finally, install screens on the windows to block "outside pests" from flying in, because pests may be drawn by the wind into the house. With screens blocking them, they cannot get in, so you no longer need to worry about adult pests landing on the leaves to lay eggs, saving a lot of trouble later on.