Pest identification
What's eating my dendrobium loddigesii?
Mealybugs
Signs: Tiny white woolly masses in leaf axils and at cane nodes; leaves yellow and canes may wither.
Control: Dab each colony with rubbing alcohol on a cotton bud; spray with diluted neem oil every 10 days.
Spider mites
Signs: Fine pale stippling on leaf surfaces; leaves take on a dull, dusty look and may drop prematurely.
Control: Increase ambient humidity; rinse undersides of leaves with water; apply neem oil or miticide spray weekly.
Scale insects
Signs: Small brown or white bumps on slender canes; plant growth slows and honeydew may appear.
Control: Scrape off gently with a toothpick; treat with horticultural oil and monitor weekly for new growth.
Keep dendrobium loddigesii pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Dendrobium loddigesii pests — FAQ
What is eating my dendrobium loddigesii?
Dendrobium loddigesii, a compact miniature orchid grown indoors, is most commonly troubled by mealybugs sheltering in leaf axils along its thin canes and spider mites in low-humidity winter conditions. Scale insects can colonize canes. Its small size means infestations escalate quickly and need prompt treatment on first detection.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on dendrobium loddigesii?
Tiny white woolly masses in leaf axils and at cane nodes; leaves yellow and canes may wither. Dab each colony with rubbing alcohol on a cotton bud; spray with diluted neem oil every 10 days.
How do I get rid of spider mites on dendrobium loddigesii?
Fine pale stippling on leaf surfaces; leaves take on a dull, dusty look and may drop prematurely. Increase ambient humidity; rinse undersides of leaves with water; apply neem oil or miticide spray weekly.
How do I get rid of scale insects on dendrobium loddigesii?
Small brown or white bumps on slender canes; plant growth slows and honeydew may appear. Scrape off gently with a toothpick; treat with horticultural oil and monitor weekly for new growth.