Pest identification
What's eating my noble cymbidium?
Spider mites
Signs: Pale silver stippling on leaves; webbing in leaf axils in warm dry conditions
Control: Raise humidity, rinse plant, apply neem oil or insecticidal soap every 5–7 days
Scale insects
Signs: Waxy brown bumps along leaf midribs and pseudobulbs; yellowing leaves and honeydew
Control: Wipe with alcohol-soaked cotton; treat with horticultural oil spray; repeat fortnightly
Aphids
Signs: Green or grey soft insects clustered on new flower spikes; distorted buds and sticky stems
Control: Spray off with water; follow with insecticidal soap; monitor weekly through bud stage
Keep noble cymbidium pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Noble Cymbidium pests — FAQ
What is eating my noble cymbidium?
Noble Cymbidium (Cymbidium insigne) is susceptible to spider mites and scale indoors, and to aphids attacking its flower spikes in spring. Plants summered outside may encounter slugs on emerging pseudobulbs. Maintain good air circulation, keep humidity moderate, and inspect leaf undersides and pseudobulb bases at each watering.
How do I get rid of spider mites on noble cymbidium?
Pale silver stippling on leaves; webbing in leaf axils in warm dry conditions Raise humidity, rinse plant, apply neem oil or insecticidal soap every 5–7 days
How do I get rid of scale insects on noble cymbidium?
Waxy brown bumps along leaf midribs and pseudobulbs; yellowing leaves and honeydew Wipe with alcohol-soaked cotton; treat with horticultural oil spray; repeat fortnightly
How do I get rid of aphids on noble cymbidium?
Green or grey soft insects clustered on new flower spikes; distorted buds and sticky stems Spray off with water; follow with insecticidal soap; monitor weekly through bud stage