What's eating my maikai orchid?

Maikai Orchid (Brassocattleya 'Maikai') is a Cattleya-type hybrid vulnerable to the classic orchid indoor pests: scale insects on pseudobulbs, mealybugs in leaf sheaths, and spider mites in dry conditions. Thrips can damage flowers and buds. Inspect pseudobulbs and inside leaf folds monthly, especially before and after flowering when the plant is most stressed.

Hard or soft brown bumps on pseudobulbs and along the underside of leaves; stunted growth, yellowing, and sticky honeydew. Scrape off with a soft toothbrush, swab with isopropyl alcohol, and apply neem oil spray every two weeks until clear.

White cottony deposits in pseudobulb grooves, leaf sheath bases, and near flower spikes; honeydew and sooty mold. Remove with alcohol swab, isolate the plant, and spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap weekly for four to six weeks.

Silver-streaked or scarred flower petals and buds; tiny fast-moving insects visible inside flowers; premature bud drop. Remove and discard affected flowers; spray with neem oil or spinosad-based insecticide, focusing on buds and inside flowers.

Fine stippling on leaves; webbing in severe cases; leaves become dull and may yellow from the tips. Increase humidity, wipe foliage with a damp cloth, and apply insecticidal soap or neem oil spray every 5–7 days.