Pest identification
What's eating my spider orchid?
Spider mites
Signs: Silvery or bronze stippling on leaves and tepals; fine webbing in low humidity; leaf desiccation in severe cases
Control: Maintain 50–60% humidity; rinse foliage with lukewarm water; apply miticide or insecticidal soap every 5–7 days for 3 rounds
Scale insects
Signs: Waxy bumps along pseudobulbs and leaf undersides; honeydew leading to sooty mold
Control: Scrape off with soft brush and treat with isopropyl alcohol; apply horticultural oil; repeat every 2 weeks
Mealybugs
Signs: Cottony white masses at pseudobulb bases and in leaf axils; stunted new growths
Control: Remove with alcohol-dipped swab; spray entire plant with diluted neem oil; isolate during treatment
Keep spider orchid pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Spider Orchid pests — FAQ
What is eating my spider orchid?
Brassia verrucosa is an indoor epiphytic orchid that spider mites target readily — its long, narrow tepals and thin leaves are vulnerable. Scale and mealybugs can colonize the substantial pseudobulbs. The name 'spider orchid' refers to its appearance, not resistance to spider mites. Good humidity and airflow are key preventive measures.
How do I get rid of spider mites on spider orchid?
Silvery or bronze stippling on leaves and tepals; fine webbing in low humidity; leaf desiccation in severe cases Maintain 50–60% humidity; rinse foliage with lukewarm water; apply miticide or insecticidal soap every 5–7 days for 3 rounds
How do I get rid of scale insects on spider orchid?
Waxy bumps along pseudobulbs and leaf undersides; honeydew leading to sooty mold Scrape off with soft brush and treat with isopropyl alcohol; apply horticultural oil; repeat every 2 weeks
How do I get rid of mealybugs on spider orchid?
Cottony white masses at pseudobulb bases and in leaf axils; stunted new growths Remove with alcohol-dipped swab; spray entire plant with diluted neem oil; isolate during treatment