Pest identification
What's eating my cattleya 'why not'?
Scale insects
Signs: Hard brown bumps on pseudobulbs and undersides of leaves; sticky residue and yellowing foliage
Control: Scrub with isopropyl alcohol and a soft brush; spray with horticultural oil every 10 days for three rounds
Mealybugs
Signs: Cottony white clusters in leaf sheaths and at base of pseudobulbs; stunted new growth
Control: Swab with 70% isopropyl alcohol; drench medium with diluted neem oil to reach root-zone colonies
Thrips
Signs: Silver streaks and brown scarring on petals; distorted flower buds that fail to open properly
Control: Remove heavily affected flowers; apply spinosad spray to foliage weekly for two to three applications
Keep cattleya 'why not' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Cattleya 'Why Not' pests — FAQ
What is eating my cattleya 'why not'?
Cattleya 'Why Not' shares the pest profile of all cattleya alliance hybrids. Scale insects are the leading threat on thick pseudobulbs. Mealybugs colonize leaf sheaths, and thrips can scar the ornamental blooms. Quarantine new acquisitions, do monthly pseudobulb checks, and treat promptly with alcohol swabs followed by neem oil spray.
How do I get rid of scale insects on cattleya 'why not'?
Hard brown bumps on pseudobulbs and undersides of leaves; sticky residue and yellowing foliage Scrub with isopropyl alcohol and a soft brush; spray with horticultural oil every 10 days for three rounds
How do I get rid of mealybugs on cattleya 'why not'?
Cottony white clusters in leaf sheaths and at base of pseudobulbs; stunted new growth Swab with 70% isopropyl alcohol; drench medium with diluted neem oil to reach root-zone colonies
How do I get rid of thrips on cattleya 'why not'?
Silver streaks and brown scarring on petals; distorted flower buds that fail to open properly Remove heavily affected flowers; apply spinosad spray to foliage weekly for two to three applications