Scale Insects on Orchid: Alcohol Removal and Systemic Treatment

Brown Bumps + Sticky Leaves = Scale Infestation

Test: rub alcohol on cotton over bumps—if they come off brown, it’s scale. Isolate plant immediately.

1. Remove all visible scale with alcohol.
2. Remove flowers with scale.
3. Unpot, rinse roots, discard old pot/mix.
4. Repot in fresh mix, clean pot.
5. Spray with scale-effective insecticide (systemic preferred).
6. Monitor for weeks; retreat as needed.

Buy future plants from specialist nurseries—they’re pest-free and offer support.