What's eating my skinner's cattleya?

Skinner's Cattleya is susceptible to the classic Cattleya pest trio — scale, mealybugs, and spider mites — with scale being the most persistent. As the national flower of Costa Rica, it is widely grown and well-documented in cultivation. Strip old sheaths regularly and treat any infestation promptly.

Tan or brown bumps on pseudobulbs and leaf undersides; honeydew, yellowing, and weakened blooming Scrape off with an alcohol-dipped soft brush; follow with horticultural oil spray every 2–3 weeks until clear

Cottony white clusters at pseudobulb sheaths, roots, and new growth; retarded leads and sticky deposits Dab with rubbing alcohol; apply neem oil drench; isolate plant; remove loose sheaths where colonies nest

Pale stippling on leaves, webbing visible in dry season or low-humidity indoor environments Mist foliage and raise humidity; apply miticide or insecticidal soap; repeat at 5–7-day intervals for 3 cycles

Silver streaking and scarring on flower petals; distorted buds and premature flower drop Inspect blooms carefully; remove and bag infested flowers; apply spinosad-based spray to foliage before buds open