What's eating my paphiopedilum venustum?

Paphiopedilum venustum is an indoor slipper orchid susceptible to spider mites and mealybugs, which hide in its attractively mottled foliage. Fungus gnats can colonise its bark-based mix if it stays too wet. Its leafy rosette makes early detection harder, so inspect the undersides and base of leaves at every watering.

Pale, stippled or silvery patches on the tops of leaves; webbing between leaves in heavy infestations. Rinse foliage with lukewarm water, then spray with diluted insecticidal soap or neem oil every 5–7 days. Raise ambient humidity to discourage re-infestation.

White waxy fluff tucked into leaf axils and around the crown; honeydew leading to sooty mold. Dab with alcohol on a cotton bud, then treat the whole plant with insecticidal soap. Repeat weekly for a month.

Root damage from larvae in overly moist bark; adults flying around the plant. Reduce watering frequency; apply Bti soil drench; place yellow sticky traps to monitor and trap adults.