Pest identification
What's eating my sukhakul's slipper orchid?
Mealybugs
Signs: Cottony deposits inside leaf sheaths and at the base of the fan; yellowing and growth arrest
Control: Probe inside the rosette with an alcohol-dipped cotton swab; drench with diluted neem oil; isolate the plant
Fungus gnats
Signs: Larvae feed on fine roots in damp medium; wilting despite adequate watering; root inspection reveals damage
Control: Reduce watering frequency; apply Bti (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis) drench; top-dress with a layer of sand or grit to deter egg-laying
Scale insects
Signs: Brownish oval scales on leaf undersides and along the midrib; honeydew and sooty mold
Control: Remove manually with an alcohol cloth; spray with horticultural oil; retreat after two weeks
Keep sukhakul's slipper orchid pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Sukhakul's Slipper Orchid pests — FAQ
What is eating my sukhakul's slipper orchid?
Sukhakul's Slipper Orchid is a terrestrial Paphiopedilum grown in bark or semi-terrestrial mixes indoors. Mealybugs and scale insects hide in the leaf rosette and crown. Fungus gnats are a recurring problem when the medium stays too wet. Spider mites can develop in low-humidity indoor environments during winter.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on sukhakul's slipper orchid?
Cottony deposits inside leaf sheaths and at the base of the fan; yellowing and growth arrest Probe inside the rosette with an alcohol-dipped cotton swab; drench with diluted neem oil; isolate the plant
How do I get rid of fungus gnats on sukhakul's slipper orchid?
Larvae feed on fine roots in damp medium; wilting despite adequate watering; root inspection reveals damage Reduce watering frequency; apply Bti (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis) drench; top-dress with a layer of sand or grit to deter egg-laying
How do I get rid of scale insects on sukhakul's slipper orchid?
Brownish oval scales on leaf undersides and along the midrib; honeydew and sooty mold Remove manually with an alcohol cloth; spray with horticultural oil; retreat after two weeks