Aphids on orchids - how to fight at home

Today many people are interested in growing orchids. Fans of this plant know how capricious it is to care for . One problem is aphid attack .

It is important to remember that this insect reproduces quickly and can destroy an orchid in a short time, so you should constantly check the plant for the presence of aphids.

Having noticed the first signs, in no case should you postpone measures to destroy the infection.
In this case, it is important to strictly follow the instructions , since if you make a mistake in processing, the plant can be seriously harmed or even die.

Types of aphids

Several types of aphids love orchids :

• Buraya;
• Green;

  
  Aphids come in a variety of colors.

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• Black;
• Yellow;
• White;
• Red.

Identifying the species is very difficult due to the fact that there are about 800 species of this insect, but do not worry about the diversity. All our recommendations are suitable for exterminating any species. The most popular is the white aphid. In the photo above you can see what aphids look like.

Prevention measures

It's much better to prevent an infestation than to try to get rid of aphids, so it's worth knowing a few helpful tips to help keep your plant strong and healthy.

• When buying a plant in a special store, you need to carefully check that it is healthy. It is necessary to examine the roots of the plant, and also look at the leaves (if there are any insects there).
• Before transplanting a “store-bought” flower into a home pot, you need to disinfect the substrate. The insect larvae will be destroyed if you keep it in the freezer or oven. You can treat the soil with hot water - this is also an extremely effective method.
• Dry air is a provocateur for the appearance of insects. To get rid of the possibility of infection, air humidity should be maintained at about sixty percent.
• It is important to carry out proper watering, as it is also an important part of care. If there is a large amount of excess moisture on the buds and leaf blades of a flower, this can attract pests. You should occasionally spray the orchid with a spray bottle. You need to use water that is not too cold, but not too warm. Root watering is carried out a little less frequently.
• It is necessary to feed the orchid correctly and on time, since thanks to fertilizers it will gain strength and be able to resist insects.
• Aphids do not like too strong aromas, so you can place geranium next to the orchid, place several bunches of wormwood or chopped garlic.

Spread, entering the plant

Aphids can attack a beautiful orchid in many ways, for example :

• Through the open window;
• Can move from other indoor flowers;
• From the clothes and shoes you wore down the street.

It can move into your home along with a flower from the store and the soil.

Aphids on orchids begin to take root :

• From the inside of the sheet;
• And on young shoots.

Then, having multiplied, they go to the stem and get to the juiciest place - the flower bud . Also, these small insects appear if the plant is placed in a too dry and unventilated room.

Important! When purchasing an orchid at a retail outlet, you must inspect it very carefully for the presence of pests. It is necessary to inspect not only the above-ground part of the plant, but also the soil in the pot.

Signs and causes of infection

You should study the orchid for signs of aphids from the back side of the leaf:

1. Small insects are the first and surest sign. They don't move, but they devour flowers at breakneck speed.
2. Loss of brightness of bud color. If two days ago the flower was bright purple, but today it suddenly turns white, you should check the flower for aphids.
3. The tips of the leaves are dry.
4. The stem in the area at the root rots.
5. The petals suddenly change shape.

Having identified one or more signs, you should immediately begin treatment.

The appearance of pests of all types is provoked by environmental conditions:

1. High content temperature. Hot temperatures outside or in the house provoke the development of aphids.
2. The air is too dry. In the summer, outside or in the apartment, in the absence of rain, the air becomes dry.
3. Lack or excess of beneficial vitamins and minerals.
4. The infection spread in the nursery where the seedlings were purchased. The flower arrived at the planting site already infected.
5. Infected insects have moved from the soil.
6. The infection occurred from a neighbor's plants.

The fight against aphids involves getting rid of specific symptoms and actions aimed at the overall restoration of the plant.

External manifestations of the lesion

You can understand that aphids are on your orchid visually by looking at the appearance of the flower:

• The bud curls and does not look very beautiful, and subsequently falls off;
• Leaves and stems are limp and soft.

At an earlier stage of infection, you may notice a plaque that is slightly sticky when touched.

It is best if the flower is regularly inspected , then the presence of aphids can be noticed at an early stage; small insects will be visible on the back of the plant leaf.

When aphids appear on an orchid, the leaves become soft and limp.

Aphids use orchid sap for their nutrition, which causes serious damage to the plant. From the effects of aphids :

• Leaves curl;
• The stems become dark;
• And the flower stalks dry up.

Biological preparations for the control of aphids on orchids

The best option to combine the effectiveness of chemicals with the safety of folk remedies is biological insecticides. Their action is based on the use of natural toxins obtained from plant or microbiological raw materials.

The following bioinsecticides are well suited for killing aphids on orchids:

Bioinsecticides work slower than chemicals, but have greater benefits. Even with constant use of the same drug, effectiveness is guaranteed. Insects do not develop resistance to biological poisons.

Basic methods of struggle

Many beginners are interested in how to get rid of aphids on an orchid? In order to exterminate aphids, many different methods , which we will discuss below.

Mechanical method

What to do if you don’t have various medications at home? You should :

• Use your hands to collect adults and larvae;
• Destroy them;
• Next, adjust the water pressure until warm;
• Wash our flower.

You can also dilute a soap solution in a container and, dipping a sponge into the liquid, very carefully wipe each leaf and stem of the infected orchid. It is important that water does not pour into the axils of the leaves - this can cause rotting. Finally, stir up the soil and add potassium permanganate diluted with water.

Biological products

How to fight aphids at home? The latest invention is biologics . Destruction by these substances occurs due to infection of insects by bacteria. The impact process is not carried out immediately, but within one week.

The advantage of this composition is :

• Possibility of processing indoors;
• Possessing protective properties that last for at least 10-12 days.

The process is carried out by spraying the plant leaf on both sides, as well as the stem. It is important to prevent the working solution from coming into contact with the flower.

Aphids can be destroyed with various biological products.

After 10-12 days, it is advisable to repeat the treatment.

So how to treat an orchid against aphids? Today, proven biologically based drugs are the following :

• Arrow;
• 30-plus;
• Fitoverm;
• Entobacterin;
• Akarin;
• Confidor.

The action of Fitoverm begins within two days and can last 14-20 days.

Entobacterin begins to act after 5 days; at higher temperatures (up to 30 degrees), its effect improves significantly. At a lower temperature , it is recommended to prepare a stronger solution (there should be 15-25 percent less water in the solution).

Akarin does not destroy all types of aphids ; it is recommended to check the result after 6-8 days by examining the plant for the presence of insects and make sure how effective the drug is in this particular case.

of the drug Strela is bitoxibacillin, the waiting period is 2 days , the product destroys many different pests.

An effective remedy for aphids is the drug 30-plus . This is an oil emulsion. Many experienced flower growers successfully use it in the fight against these small sucking insects.

Confidor is a drug produced in Germany . Its effect should be checked five to seven days after treatment. The reviews about it are wonderful.

Attention! The effect of using biological products begins to be felt after about 5-7 days. A week after the first spraying, the treatment can be duplicated.

Chemical treatment

Chemicals should be used in exceptional cases - not before a massive aphid attack on the orchid. There are several types of chemicals:

• Intestinal;
• Contact;
• System.

Contact ones, when they get on the skin of an insect, destroy it , the other two kill it through the internal organs.

Intestinal and systemic agents have a higher percentage of probability of destroying pests .

Chemicals effectively fight aphids.

It is better to use chemical solutions alternately with intervals of 15 days. If you use the same product, insects adapt to it and this drug can no longer have a detrimental effect on them.

It is also not recommended to use insecticides more than three times and orchids should be treated outside. Be sure to wear :

• Respirator;
• Latex gloves.

It is important to follow the instructions for using chemicals:

1. Aktara. An excellent remedy for exterminating aphids. It works great both for watering the ground and for spraying orchid greenery. It acts on nerve endings, provoking paralysis of pests, which leads to their death almost instantly. After spraying the plant, this drug enters the plant sap and then into the beetle’s body. The protective effect of Aktara lasts on the stem and leaves for about 20 days, and in the ground for about 2 months. It is advisable to do the treatment again after 10 days;
2. Actellik. This is a very potent remedy. It is recommended to use when the flower is in a neglected state. Perfectly kills pests in the soil, on the stem and leaves. Actellik copes effectively after the first treatment. The aphids begin to die during the spraying process.

Important! It is recommended to alternate all chemicals used in pest control. Due to the fact that insects can get used to any drug, it is not used more than 3 times.

Folk remedies

Traditional methods can be effective only at the initial stage of aphid infestation. For this purpose, decoctions, infusions and various solutions are prepared. They can be used both for treatment and for prevention.

Almost all folk recipes for pest control solutions contain soap . Due to the soap, a protective film is formed on the leaves, thanks to which the components of the drug remain active. The soap should be grated and stirred in warm water until dissolved:

1. Marigold. Plants should be collected during flowering and wait until dry. Pour warm water into a container, place crushed dried flowers there, and let it brew for about two days. Next, through gauze folded several times, the infusion should be filtered and one teaspoon of laundry soap should be added. Spray the plant thoroughly;
2. Hogweed. We also collect it during the flowering phase and along with the roots. Pour 100 grams of dry herb into 1 liter of heated water and leave for 22 hours. Spray thoroughly;

   
   There are many folk remedies to combat aphids.

3. White mustard. Add 1 liter of heated water to 10 g of mustard seeds. Close tightly and leave for 48 hours. Filter. The concentrated preparation is ready. To start the spraying process, you should dilute it - for one glass of the finished concentrate, four and a half glasses of water;
4. Creeping bitterweed. As soon as the plant begins to bloom, you should collect it, except for the roots. Dry. Pour one kilogram of dry grass with water. Leave for 12 hours and boil for 30 minutes. Add 30 g of soap to the composition and treat the plant. You can also let it sit for 24 hours and then immediately spray;
5. Datura common. It must be collected while the plant is blooming, excluding the roots. Dry naturally. Prepare an infusion of 50 grams of dry plant per 1 liter of warm water, leave for 11 hours. Then add 1 teaspoon of soap. Spray the orchid thoroughly with this solution;
6. Tomato tops. Cut fresh tops. Pour 1 liter of water into a container, add 400 grams of tops. Boil for 30 minutes. Cool, add 4 g of soap and generously spray the infected plant;
7. Tobacco. Pour 40 grams of tobacco with slightly heated water and leave for about a day. After insisting, add soap - 4 grams;
8. Yarrow. It is important to harvest yarrow as soon as it begins to bloom, except for the roots. Dry and crumble. Pour boiling water over 100 grams of the plant, then leave for 50 minutes. Next, bring the volume of the solution to 1 liter and wait another 1 hour. Afterwards, again add 4 grams of grated soap;
9. Garlic. Grind 30 grams of cultured bulbs with husks and place them in 1 liter of slightly heated water. After the infusion has steeped for about a day, add 4 grams of soap.

The above is not a complete list of folk remedies that effectively fight aphids on orchids. This sucking pest can be exterminated using the following decoctions and infusions :

1. Nettle infusion. Chop freshly cut nettles. Place 0.5 kg of nettle in 5 liters of water and leave for almost a day;
2. Celandine. This plant is good to use when aphids are found on an orchid in large numbers. It should be collected while the flowering phase continues. Cut half a kilogram of green plants, add 1 liter of water and let it simmer for 30 minutes;
3. Coniferous infusion. Take 0.5 kg of pine needles for two liters of cool water. Leave for 8 days in a dark place. Before spraying the orchid, you should dilute this infusion with water, 1 part of the infusion to seven parts of water;

   
   Various decoctions and infusions also help well in the fight against aphids.

4. Citruses. To do this, pour 100 g of dried orange or lemon peels with water. Let stand for about three days, preferably in a warm and dark place. Then thoroughly spray the infected plant;
5. Onion. We cut its fruits into small pieces and put 15 grams of onion in one liter of warm water. Close with an airtight lid and leave for about 8 hours. After filtering, the solution is ready for practical use. Also, instead of the onion itself, you can use its scales (10 grams);
6. Dandelion officinalis. Fill a bucket with 10 liters of water. Dip 400 grams of green leaves into it and leave for about 2 hours. After this, strain and thoroughly spray the leaves and stem of the infected orchid;
7. Wood ash. Fill a bucket with 10 liters of water. Pour 2 glasses of water into it. Leave for 6 hours. Then add soap shavings;
8. Alcohol. Two teaspoons of crushed soap plus 2 tbsp. l. warm water, stir until the soap dissolves. Then add 1 tbsp. l. technical alcohol and 1 liter of water. After 15 minutes, rinse the plant under running warm water. If this is not done, you can burn the leaves ;
9. Red pepper. Grind the pepper, pour about 50 grams of pepper into two glasses of water and boil for 50 minutes. Then leave for a day and filter. Dilute 10 grams of tincture in 1 liter of warm water and add 5 grams of soap.

Be sure to monitor the plants for 14 days after treatment. If the aphids remain, you should proceed to chemical treatment.

Chemical means of killing aphids on orchids

The most effective means of killing aphids are offered by the agrochemical industry. The only problem is choosing a drug that can be more or less safely used indoors. To control insects on indoor orchids, you can purchase one of the following insecticides:

Many other chemical insecticides are also highly effective against aphids, but not all of them are convenient to use in an apartment. For example, the excellent drug “Fufanon” has a strong odor that lasts for a long time, providing a fumigant effect, but is inappropriate in indoor conditions.

Tip #1. Even those insecticides that do not have a strong odor are best sprayed on the leaves, placing the orchid under a plastic bag. Experienced flower growers tie the bag for a few minutes after spraying so that the product works faster.

Aphids can crawl all over the orchid, even on the roots. Therefore, if possible, you need to spray the insecticide not only on the vegetative parts, but also on the root system of the plant.

Tips and preventive measures

To prevent damage to indoor orchids by aphids and other pests, you need to adhere to a number of preventive measures :

1. In order for your orchid to please you for a long time, water it at certain hours and regularly, once a week. In winter and autumn you should water the flower less often than in summer;
2. Do not allow the soil to dry out;
3. Spray periodically, but pay attention that water does not collect on the leaves and in the flower bud;

   
   Don't forget to spray your orchid periodically.

4. Remember to constantly check the flower, especially the underside of the leaf;
5. It is advisable to keep the flower that first entered your home separately from the rest for a week and regularly check for the presence of harmful insects;
6. Maintain the orchid's fertilization system strictly . An excess or deficiency of elements such as iron or nitrogen greatly weakens plant immunity. Weakened orchids are an excellent target for aphids;
7. When replanting, use only disinfected pots.

Attention! If during a routine examination you find white scales on the underside of the flower, this means that your flower is infested with aphids. Young individuals molt several times as they grow, leaving scales on the surface of the leaves.

What types of pests attack the flower?

Orchids are affected by different types of aphids: gray, black, white, brown, green, red and yellow.

Aphids primarily settle on the underside of leaves. The insects then spread along the stem and eventually reach the flowers, infecting the entire plant.

Attention! Aphids feed on the juices of the flower, thereby damaging its tissue. As a result, the leaves curl, the stem turns black, and the flower stalks dry out and fall off.

During their life, these parasites secrete sticky sugary secretions that cover the flower with a translucent coating. This liquid is very attractive to ants, with which aphids are in constant symbiosis.

Therefore, it is not surprising that when aphids appear, a whole army of ants will flock to the flower.

How to identify a pest

Mealybugs are small insects measuring 3-6 mm. Their oval body is covered with a waxy coating. At the back there are plates of varying lengths. The color of insects is white or beige. There are small bristles along the body, and transverse grooves on the back. Pests are mobile at any age, they move around the plant, sink into the substrate, and spread to neighboring indoor flowers. Mealybugs belong to the superfamily Coccidae. They are close relatives of scale insects, another species of insect that parasitizes orchids.

Information. The common name for mealybugs is hairy lice.

In scale insects, sexual differences are clearly expressed. Males have wings but lack mouthparts. Adult males do not feed. After mating, they soon die. Wingless females live in large colonies. They have a long proboscis for piercing the plant and sucking out the juices. Before laying eggs, females create white, cotton-like pouches. On the leaves of plants they look like a coating, which is used to determine the presence of a mealybug on an orchid.

Fertile females produce 3-4 generations of insects per season. The larvae, emerging from the eggs, actively move throughout the plant. They look like light gray fluff. After choosing a convenient place, the larvae stick to the plant and feed on the sap. Soon they molt, and the older individual looks for a new place. Females can lay eggs in a secluded place near a flower, and the larvae find their way to the orchid.

The pest prefers to live and feed in the recesses of leaf axils. Adult females crawl into orchid buds and flowers. With severe damage, the flowers become deformed and a marbled color appears on the leaves. Mealybug weakens the plant, contributing to the appearance of secondary orchid diseases. In addition to sucking out nutritious juices, the pest leaves specific secretions that end up inside the leaves and flowers. The parasite's digestive enzymes slow down the metabolic processes of indoor plants.