Question
Spots on leaves
I have noticed that my Orchid has this tacky white stuff on the leaves. I noticed it after the blooms died and I pruned them back. I have tried to wipe the leaves and have gotten some off but they don't look healthy, and not all of the plant is affected. Can you tell me what to do. Thanks
AnswerKrystal, I cannot detect the spots on your picture as I can't enlarge it. However, from your description, I suspect that the tacky white stuff is likely a mealy bug infestation. Mealy bugs are sucking insects often found on orchids. They make the leaves around them sticky from the plant saps they extract. A mild infection can be reduced by treated by soaking a q-tip or cotton in rubbing alcohol and place this in contact with the mealy bugs. This is an initial treatment because there may be eggs and immature insects in the potting mix or in hidden areas of the plant== so I also suggest you treat with an insecticide for mealy bugs. Your garden center should be able to help with your selection. If possible, I recommend the use of a systemic insecticide which is absorbed into the plant tissues and kills when the insect sucks on the tissue.
