hi

[betty]

Hi, I was so happy to find your forum. I love orchids, know very little, but look forward to learning. I live in northern Ca., in the hot, hot valley. I bought a Burrageara (they said it was easy to grow) a month ago, and now I see little white dots all over it, and one area where it looks like a thick, white webbing. It might be mites. I have been misting every morning. Thanks for any advice. I hope to learn alot of information here. Thanks

[patticake]

Hi Betty! Welcome! The webbing sounds like spider mites to me. I'm not sure on the best thing to use for that. I've never dealt with them on orchids, before.
I'm sure someone will pipe up with a suggestion. Good to have you with us!

[Orchidementia]

Welcome!

Have you tried insecticidal soap (1 part 70% rubbing alcohol, 3 parts water, tablespoon of *soap* - not detergent)? I haven't had spidermites but I've had gnats and fruit flies in the kitchen, and a garden snail on the porch, and that took care of everything. There's also a cinnamon-based recipe here that seems to kill everything except orchids!

Also, you might be a tad more specific about where you are - I'm in Northern CA, too and I'm freezing my butt off! We have so many climates here it's unbelievable! But it might make giving specific advice easier if someone knows you're in (for example) the San Joaquin Valley as opposed to where I am.

[BillC]

Hi Betty and welcone to the happy geek show. Is it possible for you to examine the white spots with a mag. glass and see if the spots have legs, are some larger than others? If the answer is yes then you may have mealy bugs. They are not easy to remove but there are systemic insecticides that will work. But first you need to identify what you have on the plant.

Bill

[articuno75]

Hi Betty and welcome to the forum!

Check the underside of the leaves. Do you see webbing there as well as "moving" spots? Also the leaf or leaves might have some damage that will look either silvery or speckled.

Be sure to isolate your plant from other plants.

They're are a couple of systemic insecticides that will do Bayer 3 in 1 is one.

You have to treat again within 7-10 days because not all insecticides will kill the eggs and you have to prevent reinfestation.

Another trick is to use Brookn's Recipe and treat again in a week. It has the same effect and is cheaper.

[Chele]

Betty!

I"m a newbie here too - just a couple days seniority on ya and just reading your replies I learned something new. Welcome

[betty]

WoW!!! What nice replies. Thank you all for your welcome and sugestions. I will get a magnifying glass and check it out. Have a great weekend to all of you
Bettyt

[betty]

Vacaville CA. Very Hot!! I found out the pest was furry aphids