What's eating my pleurothallis grobyi?

Pleurothallis grobyi is a tiny cool-to-intermediate orchid most commonly troubled by spider mites, which thrive whenever humidity drops. Mealybugs can nestle at stem bases, and scale insects occasionally colonise the tightly clustered foliage. Fungus gnats exploit the consistently moist sphagnum or fine-bark medium this miniature orchid prefers.

Silvery or bronze stippling on small leaves; fine webbing visible with a hand lens; leaves may shrivel Mist daily and raise ambient humidity. Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil spray, ensuring coverage of leaf undersides; repeat every five to seven days.

White waxy fluff at stem bases and along roots; affected plants show stunted new growth Remove with isopropyl-alcohol-tipped cotton swab; follow up with neem oil drench on roots if root mealybugs are present.

Hard brown or tan bumps on stems; yellowing and general decline if populations are large Scrape off manually, then swab with isopropyl alcohol or apply horticultural oil; repeat every two weeks for one month.

Larvae chew fine roots in sphagnum or bark; affected plants wilt despite adequate moisture Apply Bti drench or Steinernema nematodes; allow medium surface to dry slightly if plant tolerance permits.