Question
Hello I got a pahiopedilum from a flower show. I think it is doing fine it flowered for about 5 months and I cut the stem back. It appears to be getting a little bud thing that looks like it might be a new bunch of leaves. I'm worried that it could have a pest I saw a white millipede like thing in it a few weeks ago, I havn't seen anything in it since and the roots and leaves are all healthy. Should I be worried about this pest and what should I do about it? Any advice would be much apprciated.

Thankyou

Vicky

Answer
Vicky, the millipede like thing is likely a mealy bug.  This is a sucking insect commonly found on orchids and, if left unchecked, could rapidly reproduce to produce large quantities of offspring and suck the life out of your plant.  Sounds like  you have discovered it at an early stage.  Adults are white and fuzzy and crawl rather rapidly around on the plant and hide in crevices or the underside of leaves.  There are two insecticides that I can recommend:  Eight, which is Permethrin, and an even more effetive, newer, chemical called Bayer Advanced Garden (Imidacloprid & Cyfluthrin), aka Merit.  For early infestations, you can use a Q-tip dipped in alcohol to mechanically kill and remove the mealy bug(s).  I would use the Q-tip as a start before using the insecticide.  At this point, vigilance is important.