Pest identification
What's eating my cymbidium 'showgirl'?
Spider mites
Signs: Pale, dusty stippling across the strap leaves; webbing in dry warm rooms.
Control: Maintain high humidity, wipe leaves, and spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil every 5–7 days for three rounds.
Aphids
Signs: Sticky honeydew and small soft insects on flower spikes and new shoot tips; distorted growth.
Control: Blast off with water, then apply insecticidal soap or neem oil; repeat weekly until clear.
Thrips
Signs: Silvery streaks and dark fecal spots on open flowers; petals may look papery or discoloured.
Control: Hang blue sticky traps; apply spinosad-based spray to leaves; remove and dispose of damaged flower spikes.
Slugs and snails
Signs: Irregular chewing on emerging spikes and root tips when pots are outdoors on the ground or bench.
Control: Use iron phosphate pellets; raise pots; hand-pick at night after rain.
Keep cymbidium 'showgirl' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Cymbidium 'Showgirl' pests — FAQ
What is eating my cymbidium 'showgirl'?
Cymbidium 'Showgirl' is a well-known hybrid admired for its long-lasting spikes of pink flowers. Spider mites threaten it indoors year-round; aphids and slugs attack during the outdoor summer spell. Thrips can scar the showy blooms. Good air circulation and regular inspection are the cornerstones of a clean plant.
How do I get rid of spider mites on cymbidium 'showgirl'?
Pale, dusty stippling across the strap leaves; webbing in dry warm rooms. Maintain high humidity, wipe leaves, and spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil every 5–7 days for three rounds.
How do I get rid of aphids on cymbidium 'showgirl'?
Sticky honeydew and small soft insects on flower spikes and new shoot tips; distorted growth. Blast off with water, then apply insecticidal soap or neem oil; repeat weekly until clear.
How do I get rid of thrips on cymbidium 'showgirl'?
Silvery streaks and dark fecal spots on open flowers; petals may look papery or discoloured. Hang blue sticky traps; apply spinosad-based spray to leaves; remove and dispose of damaged flower spikes.
How do I get rid of slugs and snails on cymbidium 'showgirl'?
Irregular chewing on emerging spikes and root tips when pots are outdoors on the ground or bench. Use iron phosphate pellets; raise pots; hand-pick at night after rain.