What's eating my cattleya orchid?

Cattleya orchids are prized houseplants targeted by scale insects, mealybugs, and spider mites. Scale is the most damaging, encrusting pseudobulbs and leaves and weakening the plant severely. Aphids and thrips attack new growth and buds. Good air circulation, correct humidity, and periodic inspections catch problems before they spread.

Brown or tan armored bumps on pseudobulbs, leaf undersides, and rhizomes; yellowing, stunted growth, sticky honeydew with sooty mold. Scrape off with a soft toothbrush; wipe with 70% isopropyl alcohol; apply horticultural oil or insecticidal soap spray; repeat every 10–14 days for 4–6 weeks.

White cottony masses in sheaths, at the base of pseudobulbs, and in leaf axils; honeydew deposits and weakened new growth. Remove manually with alcohol-soaked swabs; treat with neem oil or insecticidal soap spray; check sheaths closely as they are a prime hiding spot.

Fine silver stippling or bronzing on leaf surfaces; tiny webbing under leaves; plant looks dry and dull — worst in low humidity. Raise humidity; rinse leaves with a strong water spray; apply miticide or neem oil weekly until clear; avoid dry, hot windowsills.

Silver-streaked or distorted petals and new leaves; tiny dark droppings on flower surfaces; buds may fail to open fully. Remove affected flowers immediately; use yellow sticky traps; treat with spinosad-based spray or insecticidal soap applied to foliage and growing medium.