What's eating my brassavola digbyana?

Brassavola digbyana (now reclassified as Rhyncholaelia digbyana) is a robust orchid grown indoors or in warm greenhouses. Spider mites are the primary threat, especially in low humidity. Mealybugs, scale, and aphids occasionally attack new growth. Strong light and good ventilation are the best preventive measures.

Silvery stippling on thick leaves; fine webbing in dry-air conditions; foliage loses color and vigor. Mist foliage to raise humidity and spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; isolate the plant and repeat weekly.

White waxy masses at leaf axils and pseudobulb bases; sticky residue and weakened new growth. Treat spot infestations with isopropyl alcohol on a cotton swab; follow with a neem oil soil drench.

Clusters of soft-bodied insects on young flower spikes and buds; distorted growth and honeydew. Blast off with a gentle water spray; apply insecticidal soap every five days until clear.