Scale Insect???

[tizzycat]

I think I may have a problem with one of my phals.

Found this little b-gg-- tucked away right inside the lip of a flower. Removed with cotton bud soaked in metholated spirit.

I'm assuming it is a scale insect. Can I use a systemic insecticide while the plant is in flower.

[tom499]

How bad is the problem? I would do a proper manual check over the plant, and separate it from the others.

I guess its whether spraying would damage the flowers or not.

[tizzycat]

Tom done the check, washed all the leaves with warm water, couple of sticky patches and one other insect. Guess if its systemic I could just spray the leaves, was thinking of provado, bug killer. I have a friend who has a few orchids who uses it.

[robb]

tizzycat, looks very much like the scale infestation that one of my rescue-phals is going through, i posted regarding it earlier. you should be able to clear it up if it hasn't killed the leaves off.

[justloveorchids]

I poured some Dishwashing liquid onto the leaf joints of my phal when it got mealy bug ( after I had picked off the adults with methylated spirits )

left it for a couple of hours then tipped the plant sideways so it would drain out and not cause crown rot

Not a sign of any more little nasties appearing

[tizzycat]

Robb, did you manage to clear it up??? I have sprayed with Provado Bug Killer but only found a couple of scale, although the leaves look like yours did.

JLO thanks for the tip.

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

Imidaclopride is systemic and works on scale: Bayer Advance Rose & Flower, B A Tree & Shrub, and a B A Lawn product. Check out the chemical in Provado.

[tizzycat]

Thak Cynthia, will do

[LeftCoastAngler]

Anything with NEEM OIL in it would work aswell. I use this stuff called Organocide periodically, and it works wonders... Kinda fishy smellin', but it seems to handle the bizness...

~LCA.

[Anton]

Worm wee works too........

[tizzycat]

thanks Anton, will try that too.

[MariahK]

I use neem on my orange trees and it works wonders on killing scale!