What's eating my cymbidium erythrostylum?

Cymbidium erythrostylum is a cool-growing Vietnamese species orchid. Indoors, spider mites and mealybugs are the main pests. When moved outdoors in summer, aphids target flower spikes and slugs can chew new growths. Its upright, slender leaves give spider mites plenty of surface area, so monitor the undersides closely in low-humidity months.

Pale stippling and silvery webbing on leaf undersides; foliage looks dusty or bronzed. Raise humidity; wipe leaves with a damp cloth; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil on a 5–7 day cycle.

Cottony white clusters in leaf axils and around pseudobulb bases; slow growth and sticky surfaces. Treat with an alcohol-dipped cotton bud then follow with a neem oil spray; repeat weekly until clear.

Clusters on new growths and flower spikes; honeydew and curling of tender shoot tips. Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; rinse undersides of leaves. Repeat weekly outdoors.