What to Do if There Are Pests on Phalaenopsis Orchids
Phalaenopsis orchids, with their high ornamental value, are often threatened by pests due to their elegant floral posture. When abnormal spots appear on the leaves or the plant's growth停滞, it is necessary to be vigilant against three common pests. This article systematically analyzes the identification characteristics and scientific control methods of scale insects, aphids, and whiteflies, and provides environmental regulation tips to help you achieve comprehensive control.
Diagnosis and Control Strategies for Phalaenopsis Orchid Pests
1. Control of Scale Insect Infestation
Symptom diagnosis: The pest bodies are brown and shield-shaped, attached to the base of the leaves and pseudobulbs, secreting honeydew that causes sooty mold. Severely affected plants show signs of decline such as overall yellowing of leaves and shrinking pseudobulbs.
Physical removal: Use a soft-bristled brush dipped in 75% alcohol solution to clean each leaf individually, focusing on the axillary crevices. For severe infections, it is recommended to cut the infested branches and incinerate them.
Chemical control: Alternate between applying a 40% fenvalerate emulsion at 800 times dilution and a 25% thiamethoxam suspension at 1500 times dilution, focusing on the backs of the leaves, with a 7-day interval between 3 consecutive applications.
2. Strategy for Dealing with Aphid Swarms
Harmful characteristics: Green aphids gather on tender shoots to suck sap, causing new leaves to curl and deform, along with honeydew-induced gray mold disease.
Biological control: Release natural enemies such as ladybugs and lacewings to establish an ecological balance.
Chemical control: Rotate between applying a 10% imidacloprid wettable powder at 2000 times dilution and a 2.5% brom**ate emulsion at 3000 times dilution, focusing on the base of the inflorescence.
3. Comprehensive Control System for Whiteflies
Pest identification: Adult wings are covered with white wax powder, and larvae are densely clustered on the backs of leaves, causing damage, with overlapping generations being significant.
Sticky board trapping: Hang yellow sticky boards 20 cm above the plants, placing 2-3 boards per square meter.
Chemical mixture: Mix 25% thiamethoxam water-dispersible granules with 1.8% abamectin emulsion at a 1:1 ratio and spray at 2000 times dilution, focusing on the inner side of the leaf sheath.
Prevention and Management Norms for Phalaenopsis Orchid Pests
Environmental regulation: Maintain a day-night temperature difference of 28-32°C/18-22°C, keep the air velocity at 0.3-0.5 m/s, and control the relative humidity within the range of 60-70%.
Nutritional management: Apply a balanced fertilizer (N-P-K=20-20-20) at 2000 times dilution every half month, combined with seaweed extract to enhance stress resistance.
Quarantine system: New plants must undergo a 3-week isolation period and be regularly disinfected with a 70% mancozeb solution at 600 times dilution for preventive purposes.
By establishing a three-dimensional prevention and control system that includes pest monitoring, precision application of pesticides, and environmental optimization, along with the synergistic effects of physical control and biological enemies, the effectiveness of pest control for Phalaenopsis orchids can be significantly improved, allowing the plants to return to a healthy growth state.