Aphids - this is one of the most common garden pests, which does not spare indoor plants. Decorative flowers are not less likely to attack her than tomatoes or apple trees. But it becomes especially insulting to the owner when aphid settles on orchids. After all, expensive tropical beauties are usually presented as a gift, and I really want to keep them for a long time. Today we’ll talk about how to get rid of pests with the least loss for the plant.
Signs of defeat
In order for your flowers to grow healthy and delight with plentiful buds, you need to pay enough attention to them. That is, not only to water and feed, but also regularly inspect for pests. Juicy, fleshy stems are a tasty prey for many insects, and the most unpleasant of them is small aphids.
There are quite a few of its varieties, so it’s quite difficult to say in advance which one will attack your plants. Aphids on orchids can be gray, green, yellow, white or orange. Some species are clearly visible on the leaves, others are almost indistinguishable. Insects live in large groups, in which there are always larvae and eggs, winged and wingless females.
If formations, growths or just dots appear on the bottom of the leaves, you need to try to remove them. The aphid has no chitinous cover and it is very easy to crush it. Actually, this is the first way to get rid of aphids on orchids. True, it only works well if there are still a few pests.
Thorough inspection
Tiny insects, which are located in the axils of the leaves on the underside, may remain invisible for some time. What should alert the grower? The first factor is the presence of white scales on the green parts of the plant. This is nothing but the remnants of the skin of pests, which they get rid of as they grow. Gray and white aphids breed very quickly, against which emergency rescue measures have to be applied.
What you need to pay attention to
What is the main danger of aphid settlements on orchids? How to get rid of this pest? Let's talk about everything in order.
- The aphid settles on the underside of the leaves, and then moves along the stem to the buds.
- The entire colony eats the juice of the plant. Therefore, the leaves begin to blacken, and the plant may die.
- Due to the release of sweet liquid, the whole plant is covered with a sticky coating. This interferes with normal breathing and worsens the condition of the plant.
- After the appearance of aphids, ants can also descend, who love to regale themselves with sweet secretions. That is, you have to deal with two problems at the same time.
- If pests are found, measures must be taken immediately, otherwise the mass reproduction of aphids will lead to the death of flowers.
Infection pathways
Most often in the summer, plants are taken out to the balcony or they simply stand by the open window. Despite the fact that the tropical beauty does not like drafts, the influx of fresh air affects the plant very favorably. But! Just at this time, aphids appear on orchids. Winged individuals fly out the window, after which they begin to actively lay their eggs and multiply.
The second common way of infection is the relocation of pests from new plants or presented lush bouquets. In this case, aphids can appear year-round. Therefore, it is desirable to maintain all new plants in quarantine for at least three weeks, and inspection should be carried out at least once a week. Contaminated soil can also be a cause, but this is not a very popular way of spreading pests.
Methods of struggle
So, you have examined the plant and now you know for sure that aphids on orchids. How to deal with this pest? There are many ways, each of which is good in its own way. Do not forget that when the first signs of aphid settlement appear, the affected plant must be quarantined, separately from other green pets. As a first aid, you need to arrange a bathing plant. Use a jet of water to knock down aphids from the leaves. Damaged leaves and buds are best removed.
Folk methods of struggle
With a slight damage to the plant, it is best to use these methods. Aphids on orchids at home breed fairly quickly, so do not waste time. The following measures can be considered the most effective:
- Soap solution. To do this, a tablespoon of grated laundry or tar soap should be dissolved in a liter of water. Beat the foam with a sponge and apply on the stems and leaves.
- Citrus infusion. To do this, 100 g of peel should be poured with a liter of boiling water and insisted for 3 days. Spray the plant three to four times a day. Spread dried crusts on the surface of the soil.
- You can spray with a solution of vinegar. Insects are very sensitive to acid. To do this, add 50 g of vinegar to a liter of water.
- Well repels insects onion infusion. To prepare it, you need to chop a large onion, pour it with a liter of boiling water and wait until the solution cools down. After that, the product can be poured into the sprayer and the flower well treated. It is necessary to carry out processing 4-5 times a day until the complete disappearance of insects.
- Manual collection. A small amount of insects can be removed manually. Be sure to spray the orchid with one of the following solutions after this.
Chemistry in your home
Alternative methods are good in that their use is completely safe for the plant itself and domestic animals, as well as for humans. But such processing is not always effective. But modern chemicals work with 100% efficiency. Therefore, feel free to go to the flower shop for drugs, but for now we will tell you what to do. Aphids with orchids after insecticides disappear during the day.
According to the mode of action, the drugs are divided into intestinal, contact or systemic effects. Which ones work best against aphids? The most popular can be considered means of "Aktar", "Arrow", "Bison". "Fitoverm" and "Entobacterin" work well.
Processing Features
A solution is prepared according to the instructions for the drug, after which the concentration should be reduced by another half. The fact is that the orchid is a very tender plant. Therefore, it is best to process one instance, after which observe it for several days. If there is no negative reaction, that is, yellowing of the leaves or the appearance of spots on them, then you can repeat the procedure on the other plants. Due to quick addiction, it is worth alternating the chemicals used.
Preventive measures
It’s best to simply prevent aphids from appearing on orchids. A photo of a flowering plant can provoke anyone to buy it, but you need to understand your responsibility. Orchid requires special attention, especially if you want the flowering to repeat. The following measures are taken for prevention:
- When watering, you need to ensure that water does not fall on the buds and flowers.
- Aphids love dry air, and orchids, in contrast, are moist. Therefore, the leaves should be regularly sprayed with cool water.
- Pests almost never attack a strong and healthy plant, so you need to regularly feed.
- Inspect the plant at least once a week.
These simple measures will save the tropical beauty from aphid attack or quickly provide her first aid.