Mealybug - an insect that is found on an orchid, not everyone knows how to get rid of it. Recognizing the pest is easy. If the plants are treated in a timely manner, they will be able to protect them from the insect.
How to get rid of a mealybug on an orchid is of interest to many gardeners. The plant is exotic, the queen among indoor flowers. Despite the fact that the flowers grow indoors, they cannot be completely protected from pests. To save plants, you can use folk methods or chemicals.
Content
Causes of the pest
If the orchid is properly looked after, the mealybug will not appear. Insects infect only weakened plants. A pest may occur in the following cases:
- With improper watering. With excessive or insufficient soil moisture, orchids become vulnerable. This is a favorable environment for diseases and pests, they can immediately start an attack.
- If hygiene is not observed. Flowers need constant rubbing of leaves. To do this, you can use a sponge or spray.
- If quarantine is not respected for new colors. Insects do not appear on their own. Most often they enter the house with newly purchased plants. To protect home flowers, new orchids need to be isolated from others for a month.
Sign of defeat
It is impossible to confuse the worm with another insect. The main sign of plant damage is the appearance of a white waxy coating. In appearance, it resembles a piece of cotton wool.
In addition, sticky discharge appears on the leaves. The plates become stained. If you do not immediately take measures to destroy the pest, the plant will soon die.
Control measures
It is very difficult to get rid of the mealybug on an orchid. However, many gardeners know how to protect plants. There are a lot of ways. You can use traditional methods or carry out the processing of chemical preparations. If insects were found on the plants, the flowers should be urgently isolated.
Folk methods of controlling insects are very popular. First of all, they are affordable and economical.
The most popular are the following methods:
- Mechanical cleaning plants
Affected buds must be removed. If insects damaged leaf plates, you need to wipe the leaves with a cotton pad. If pests were found at the root, the orchid needs to be planted in another soil.
After the procedure, it is necessary to conduct the treatment with a soapy composition. To cook it, you need to take laundry soap, grind, pour water. Wipe the leaves and stems with the resulting foam. In conclusion, a fungicide treatment is required. Copper sulfate has proven itself well in this matter.
- Horsetail tincture
How to get rid of the mealybug on orchids in this way is of interest to many gardeners. It is enough to prepare a solution and water the plants with it. Orchids can be sprayed daily.
Tincture can be bought at the pharmacy. Before use, it must be diluted with water, a ratio of 1: 1.
- Ethyl alcohol and water
To prepare the composition, you need to combine a liter of boiled water, 15 ml of alcohol, 20 grams of liquid soap. This solution is used for processing flowers.
- Olive oil and water
To prepare the mixture, you need to combine a liter of water and 60 grams of oil. This mixture is sprayed with plants.
- Garlic tincture
First you need to boil water. Then add a chopped garlic head to it. Boil the composition for 1 minute. After leaving the liquid for 5 hours to insist.
- Tincture of calendula
An affordable remedy that will help get rid of the worm. A cotton pad must be moistened with tincture, and treatment of the affected areas can be carried out.
In addition to folk methods, chemical preparations help in the fight against insects. They allow you to completely get rid of pests and protect plants.
The most effective remedies are as follows:
- Actellik - used for mass damage to plants.
- Fitoverm - used to get rid of mealybug on orchids, has an efficiency of up to 98%.
- Vertimek - an effective tool, is less toxic than other drugs.
Species of a worm that are dangerous for an orchid
There are 7 species of worm. However, only 2 of them affect the orchid:
- Citrus. The female is represented by a pink color, it secretes fluid. Life expectancy is 3 months. After 2 weeks of life, it is able to lay eggs. The male knows how to fly, lives 4 days.
- Bristly. Females are represented in red, white plaque is present. Males have gray color, transparent wings. Pests are able to release a liquid that protects them from the negative effects of the external environment.
Prevention Activities
To protect the plants from the worm, it is necessary to carefully examine the flowers during their acquisition.
Dry leaves may contain pests. Therefore, they should be disposed of immediately.
Worms have a negative attitude to fresh air. Around plants it is necessary to create high humidity. To do this, regularly wipe the leaves, arrange a warm shower. After the procedure, excess moisture should be blotted with a napkin. This is done in order to avoid the formation of rot.
Reviews
Sofia, 35 years old:
“Love for orchids has appeared recently. A friend gave a flower, for a long time I could not stop looking at its beauty. Once I noticed that a white coating appeared on orchids. I didn’t attach importance to this at once, I removed everything. A few days later I noticed that plaque is present on other leaves.
I read on the Internet that these are the main signs of the appearance of a worm. Treated plants with alcohol. However, in my case, this did not help. I was able to get rid of pests only with the help of chemicals. "
Elizabeth, 27 years old:
“All my orchids were hit by a mealybug. I know firsthand about such a problem. Used a soap solution. As a result, I realized that all my efforts were in vain. Therefore, acquired Actellik. After several treatments, I noticed an amazing result, there were much less pests. After 2 weeks, she repeated the treatment. I managed to get rid of the insects completely. "
Orchids are a real decoration for the windowsill. However, there are times when flowers infect pests. Protecting plants from a mealybug is very difficult. In order for orchids to please lush flowering, you need to know in advance about ways to get rid of the pest.This will help preserve the attractive appearance of the plants.
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