The appearance of diseases or pests is a consequence of violations of the conditions for caring for the orchid. If the plant is grown correctly, if the roots are well developed and the watering and fertilizing regime is observed, then diseases do not threaten it. Orchids that are pampered by high temperatures and nutrition easily get sick.
Non-infectious diseases are diseases that develop when the conditions of maintenance are violated. They can lead to the death of the flower or weaken it. They are the cause of the development of most pathogenic microorganisms.
Non-infectious diseases are associated with abnormal thermoregulation (leaf burns) and steaming of the plant (usually in greenhouses). Steaming is much more dangerous than a burn, because the entire plant is exposed to overheating. In mild cases, steaming damages buds and buds. In more severe cases, dead cells of various sizes appear in the tissues of leaves and bulbs. They become foci of pathogenic diseases.
In winter, plants are easily frozen because they are dormant. Short-term exposure to low or high temperatures does not have a noticeable effect. But if this exposure continues for 10-12 hours, then some species damage the vegetative buds. After that, they stop growing, become exhausted and often die. Orchids usually do not recover from cold damage.
Due to lack of light, orchids stretch out. The tissues become light green and the leaves become elongated. These orchids are easily susceptible to diseases.
Excess and deficiency of minerals have equally negative effects on orchids. With excess, orchids acquire a rich green color, stretch out, and longitudinal cracks appear on the bulbs. Flowering is weak, inflorescences quickly fall off. Also, with excess, orchids easily get sick and are susceptible to pests.
If the orchids are not receiving enough nutrition, they form small shoots that quickly stop growing. They soon weaken and die.
Infectious diseases in orchids are caused by fungi, bacteria and viruses.
The most common orchid pests
Shchitovka
Growths, tubercles under which lice sit. Located on the surface of leaves, stems and in flowers. Slow growth.
Cause of the disease: not enough humidity and too much heat.
Eliminated by treatment with a soapy alkaline solution.
Pemphigus (mealybug)
Insects are white in color. They are located under the bases of leaves.
Reason: dry air.
Eliminated by: treatment with a soap-alkaline solution. In case of severe damage, special chemical preparations are used.
aphid
Insects of green or black color. They live on flowers and leaves.
Consequences: fungi or viruses.
Reason: poor thermoregulation.
Eliminated by: treatment with a milk-water mixture. In case of severe lesions, special chemical preparations are used.
Thrips (bladder-legged or fringed-winged)
The leaves become speckled.
Reason: high temperature.
Treatment: with special chemicals.
Red flat tick
Difficulty in detection. The appearance of white or yellow spots is a sign of this disease. Leaves and flowers lose shape and twist.
Treatment: acaricides.
whitefly
A small white midge. Characterized by the appearance of white or yellow spots. Leaf fall.
Eliminated: spray with insecticides every 3 days. Remove affected areas of the flower. Eliminating this disease is difficult, sometimes it takes several weeks. You should also spray other plants to prevent the disease from spreading to them.
spider mite
The upper sides of the leaves are covered with yellow-white spots, the lower ones with a silvery-white web.
Reason: lack of humidity.
Treated with a soap-alkaline solution. In case of severe damage, use acaricides.
