What's eating my giant cymbidium?

Giant Cymbidium's large pseudobulbs are prime real estate for scale insects, making scale the biggest indoor threat. Spider mites attack the broad leaf blades in dry air. Aphids appear on flower spikes during bud break. Outdoors in summer, slugs and snails can shred new growth. Early intervention with neem oil prevents colonies from establishing.

Clusters of hard or soft waxy bumps on pseudobulbs and leaf bases; sticky honeydew and sooty mould Scrape off with a toothbrush dipped in rubbing alcohol; spray with horticultural oil; repeat every 2 weeks

Pale stippling and fine webbing across broad leaf surfaces; premature yellowing in dry rooms Increase humidity, rinse leaves, apply insecticidal soap or neem oil weekly until resolved

Dense colonies on emerging flower spikes; distorted buds and sticky residue attracting ants Knock off with a firm water spray; apply insecticidal soap or diluted neem oil spray

Irregular holes and slime trails on new pseudobulb shoots when plant is outdoors Hand-pick at night; place ferric phosphate pellets around the pot; use a copper tape barrier