What's eating my lycaste deppei?

Lycaste deppei, a deciduous Mexican orchid with large pleated leaves, is most commonly affected by spider mites in warm, low-humidity rooms. Mealybugs hide in dry pseudobulb sheaths during dormancy, scale insects colonise stems, and aphids may target new spring growth and emerging flower spikes.

Silvery, stippled patches and webbing across the large pleated leaves; premature leaf drop in heavy infestations Raise humidity; spray all leaf surfaces with insecticidal soap or neem oil weekly; remove severely affected leaves.

White waxy fluff hidden under dry leaf sheaths on pseudobulbs; detected mainly at repotting time Strip old sheaths, swab colonies with isopropyl alcohol, and apply neem oil drench to roots; repeat after ten days.

Hard brown bumps on pseudobulbs and stems; plant shows reduced vigour and pale foliage Scrape off manually with a soft brush; apply horticultural oil spray; recheck bi-weekly and retreat.

Clusters of soft-bodied insects on emerging leaves and flower spikes in spring; distorted growth and sticky honeydew Rinse off with a directed water stream; follow with insecticidal soap spray; use yellow sticky traps to monitor populations.