What's eating my cattleya luteola?

Cattleya luteola, a miniature yellow-flowered Cattleya grown indoors, is susceptible to mealybugs hiding in its leaf sheaths and scale insects on compact pseudobulbs. Spider mites are a risk in heated rooms with low humidity. Its small size means pest populations establish quickly — monthly checks under leaf sheaths are essential.

Cottony white clusters form inside leaf sheaths wrapping pseudobulbs; leaves yellow and roots weaken. Peel back sheaths to expose colonies; apply alcohol with a cotton swab and follow with neem oil spray.

Small brown waxy shields attached to pseudobulbs and leaf undersides; plant vigor declines slowly. Scrape off with a toothpick or soft brush; spray with horticultural oil every 3–4 weeks.

Fine yellow stippling on leaves; webbing visible on undersides; leaves may bronze and shed. Increase humidity around the plant; wipe leaves clean and apply neem oil or specialist miticide weekly.