Pest identification
What's eating my catasetum expansum?
Scale insects
Signs: Immobile waxy bumps on pseudobulbs and leaf undersides; plant vigor declines; honeydew attracts sooty mold
Control: Manual removal with alcohol swab; apply neem oil or horticultural oil spray; repeat every 10 days until clear
Mealybugs
Signs: White cottony residue in pseudobulb grooves and leaf bases; stunted new leads
Control: Dab colonies with isopropyl alcohol; spray entire plant with diluted neem oil; isolate from other orchids
Fungus gnats
Signs: Larvae chew fine roots in the bark mix; adult flies hover around the pot; new roots fail to develop well
Control: Allow bark to dry out between waterings; apply Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) drench; use yellow sticky traps for adults
Keep catasetum expansum pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Catasetum expansum pests — FAQ
What is eating my catasetum expansum?
Catasetum expansum is a tropical deciduous orchid susceptible to the same indoor pests as its genus relatives. Scale is the primary concern on pseudobulbs during dormancy. Mealybugs shelter in axils, and fungus gnats may breed in bark mix kept too moist during active growth. Inspect before dormancy ends.
How do I get rid of scale insects on catasetum expansum?
Immobile waxy bumps on pseudobulbs and leaf undersides; plant vigor declines; honeydew attracts sooty mold Manual removal with alcohol swab; apply neem oil or horticultural oil spray; repeat every 10 days until clear
How do I get rid of mealybugs on catasetum expansum?
White cottony residue in pseudobulb grooves and leaf bases; stunted new leads Dab colonies with isopropyl alcohol; spray entire plant with diluted neem oil; isolate from other orchids
How do I get rid of fungus gnats on catasetum expansum?
Larvae chew fine roots in the bark mix; adult flies hover around the pot; new roots fail to develop well Allow bark to dry out between waterings; apply Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) drench; use yellow sticky traps for adults