Pest identification
What's eating my boat orchid?
Aphids
Signs: Soft insects massed on new shoots and emerging flower spikes; distorted buds, sticky honeydew, sooty mold
Control: Knock off with a water jet; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil; introduce lacewings or ladybirds outdoors
Scale insects
Signs: Hard or soft brown bumps on pseudobulbs and leaf undersides; yellowing and sticky residue
Control: Scrape off with a soft toothbrush; apply horticultural oil or 70% isopropyl alcohol; repeat monthly
Thrips
Signs: Silver-streaked or speckled foliage; flower petals show pale flecking and distorted edges
Control: Remove damaged flowers; use sticky blue traps; apply spinosad or insecticidal soap; improve air circulation
Slugs and snails
Signs: Irregular holes chewed in new leaves and flower spikes, especially at night during outdoor summer placement
Control: Hand-pick at night; use iron phosphate slug pellets (pet-safe); apply copper tape around pot bases
Keep boat orchid pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Boat Orchid pests — FAQ
What is eating my boat orchid?
Cymbidium orchids are grown outdoors or in cool glasshouses in summer, making them susceptible to both indoor and outdoor pests. Aphids are the worst offender, clustering on new growth and flower spikes. Scale insects, thrips, and slugs and snails (outdoors) also cause damage. Regular inspection when plants move outside is essential.
How do I get rid of aphids on boat orchid?
Soft insects massed on new shoots and emerging flower spikes; distorted buds, sticky honeydew, sooty mold Knock off with a water jet; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil; introduce lacewings or ladybirds outdoors
How do I get rid of scale insects on boat orchid?
Hard or soft brown bumps on pseudobulbs and leaf undersides; yellowing and sticky residue Scrape off with a soft toothbrush; apply horticultural oil or 70% isopropyl alcohol; repeat monthly
How do I get rid of thrips on boat orchid?
Silver-streaked or speckled foliage; flower petals show pale flecking and distorted edges Remove damaged flowers; use sticky blue traps; apply spinosad or insecticidal soap; improve air circulation
How do I get rid of slugs and snails on boat orchid?
Irregular holes chewed in new leaves and flower spikes, especially at night during outdoor summer placement Hand-pick at night; use iron phosphate slug pellets (pet-safe); apply copper tape around pot bases