Pest identification
What's eating my sophronitis coccinea?
Spider mites
Signs: Fine bronzing or silvery stippling on small succulent leaves; webbing at growth tips in dry conditions.
Control: Mist frequently to raise humidity; spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap and repeat weekly for a month.
Scale insects
Signs: Tiny brown bumps on pseudobulbs and leaf bases; plants lose vigor rapidly given the miniature size.
Control: Dab individually with isopropyl alcohol, then spray with horticultural oil; monitor weekly.
Mealybugs
Signs: White cottony residue at rhizome junctions and root collar; honeydew visible on mounting material.
Control: Swab with alcohol-soaked cotton, drench mounting material with diluted neem oil, and isolate the plant.
Keep sophronitis coccinea pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Sophronitis coccinea pests — FAQ
What is eating my sophronitis coccinea?
Sophronitis coccinea (now Cattleya coccinea) is a tiny high-altitude Brazilian orchid grown in cool-intermediate indoor or greenhouse conditions. Spider mites are the primary threat in warm dry air. Scale and mealybugs occasionally infest its small pseudobulbs. Because of its miniature size, even a minor infestation can quickly overwhelm the plant.
How do I get rid of spider mites on sophronitis coccinea?
Fine bronzing or silvery stippling on small succulent leaves; webbing at growth tips in dry conditions. Mist frequently to raise humidity; spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap and repeat weekly for a month.
How do I get rid of scale insects on sophronitis coccinea?
Tiny brown bumps on pseudobulbs and leaf bases; plants lose vigor rapidly given the miniature size. Dab individually with isopropyl alcohol, then spray with horticultural oil; monitor weekly.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on sophronitis coccinea?
White cottony residue at rhizome junctions and root collar; honeydew visible on mounting material. Swab with alcohol-soaked cotton, drench mounting material with diluted neem oil, and isolate the plant.