What's eating my laelia rubescens?

Laelia rubescens, a compact, fragrant Central American orchid suited to bright indoor or intermediate greenhouse growing, faces scale insects as its most persistent threat. Mealybugs are also common, particularly under drying pseudobulb sheaths. Spider mites can appear in heated dry rooms. Monthly checks under old sheaths are key.

Small brown or tan bumps on pseudobulbs and leaf undersides; plants weaken and flower less freely. Remove manually with a damp cloth or toothbrush; follow with horticultural oil spray every two weeks.

White waxy secretions hidden in pseudobulb leaf sheaths and at root junctions. Strip dead sheaths, treat with isopropyl alcohol swabs, and apply diluted neem oil drench.

Pale stippled patches on foliage; fine webbing under leaves when infestations are heavy. Raise humidity, spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil weekly until the population is eliminated.