What's eating my cymbidium tracyanum?

Cymbidium tracyanum is a cool-growing species orchid suited to a sheltered outdoor position in mild climates or a cool greenhouse. Outdoors it faces aphids and scale; indoors spider mites are the primary threat. Slugs can damage emerging flower spikes when plants spend summer outside. Good air circulation is the best general deterrent.

Pale stippling on long strap leaves; silvery or bronzed look to foliage; fine webbing in dry conditions. Increase humidity, rinse foliage, and apply insecticidal soap or neem oil spray every 5–7 days until clear.

Clusters of small insects on new growths and flower spikes; sticky honeydew and distorted shoot tips. Blast off with a strong water jet; apply insecticidal soap or a diluted neem oil spray; repeat weekly. Encourage ladybirds outdoors.

Brown or tan shells along pseudobulbs and undersides of leaves; plant vigour declines over time. Scrape off with a soft brush soaked in alcohol, then treat with horticultural oil; repeat in two weeks.

Ragged notches chewed into emerging flower spikes and young growths, particularly when plants are summered outdoors. Apply iron phosphate slug pellets around pots; check under pots and remove molluscs by hand at night.