Pest identification
What's eating my guzmania 'orangeade'?
Mealybugs (Pseudococcidae spp.)
Signs: Fluffy white wax deposits lodged deep in leaf axils; sticky honeydew and leaf yellowing
Control: Treat with isopropyl alcohol on cotton buds; spray neem oil dilution into the rosette; isolate from other plants
Scale insects (soft scale, Coccidae spp.)
Signs: Small brown raised bumps on leaf undersides and bases; sooty mold on sticky deposits
Control: Wipe with alcohol cloth; apply horticultural oil or neem oil spray; repeat treatment every 2 weeks
Fungus gnats (Bradysia spp.)
Signs: Tiny black flies hovering around the plant; larvae in cup water or wet soil
Control: Replace cup water weekly with fresh room-temperature water; allow soil to dry between waterings; use yellow sticky traps to capture adults
Keep guzmania 'orangeade' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Guzmania 'Orangeade' pests — FAQ
What is eating my guzmania 'orangeade'?
Guzmania 'Orangeade' shares the classic bromeliad pest profile: mealybugs colonize the leaf rosette, scale clusters on leaf undersides, and fungus gnats breed in stagnant cup water. Spider mites appear when indoor humidity is low. The tightly packed leaves make early detection difficult — inspect the rosette base monthly.
How do I get rid of mealybugs (pseudococcidae spp.) on guzmania 'orangeade'?
Fluffy white wax deposits lodged deep in leaf axils; sticky honeydew and leaf yellowing Treat with isopropyl alcohol on cotton buds; spray neem oil dilution into the rosette; isolate from other plants
How do I get rid of scale insects (soft scale, coccidae spp.) on guzmania 'orangeade'?
Small brown raised bumps on leaf undersides and bases; sooty mold on sticky deposits Wipe with alcohol cloth; apply horticultural oil or neem oil spray; repeat treatment every 2 weeks
How do I get rid of fungus gnats (bradysia spp.) on guzmania 'orangeade'?
Tiny black flies hovering around the plant; larvae in cup water or wet soil Replace cup water weekly with fresh room-temperature water; allow soil to dry between waterings; use yellow sticky traps to capture adults