What's eating my phalaenopsis 'brother girl'?

As an indoor Phalaenopsis hybrid, 'Brother Girl' faces the same pests as all moth orchids: mealybugs, scale, and fungus gnats are the most common. Good air circulation, correct watering, and quarantining new plants prevent most problems. Check leaf axils and roots regularly for early signs.

Fluffy white deposits in leaf axils and along midribs; distorted new growth and leaf yellowing Swab with 70% isopropyl alcohol; treat the whole plant with neem oil or insecticidal soap every 5–7 days for three weeks

Hard or soft brown bumps on leaves and flower spikes; sticky honeydew that encourages sooty mold Scrape off with a soft toothbrush, then apply horticultural oil; repeat monthly until clear

Larvae damage fine roots in the bark medium; adult gnats are a nuisance and indicate overwatering Allow the medium to dry between waterings; use yellow sticky traps; drench medium with Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (Bti) solution