Penetrant aphids have no respect for sublime orchids. Wherever the cunning pests have the opportunity, they boldly colonize the lush green leaves. Read here how you can effectively fight the plague with natural means.
Aphids don't even stop at orchids
Symptoms and first aid measures
They are whitish-green, yellow or brown-black and, with a body length of up to 7 mm, are easily visible to the naked eye. Aphids usually cavort on the underside of the leaves and suck up the plant sap. Typical symptoms are mottled, stunted leaves that turn yellow and die. Check your orchids regularly for an infestation so that you can take these immediate measures at the first sign:
- Pack the culture pot in a plastic bag
- Hold the orchid upside down and spray the leaves with a strong jet of water
- Then wipe the leaves with an alcohol-soaked cloth
Isolate the infected orchid from other plants until you are sure that the aphid infestation is gone.
Effective home remedies against aphids - tips on production and use
If immediate control with water does not achieve the desired success, the following home remedies are available to get rid of aphids:
soft soap solution
Add 1 tablespoon of pure, liquid curd soap or soft soap to 1 liter of lime-free water. (44.90€) Add 1 teaspoon of spirit to thick-leaved orchids. Put this solution in a spray bottle and treat the top and bottom of the leaves 2 to 3 days apart. The treatment can be repeated until no more lice appear.
Fern broth
Pour 1 liter of water over 100 grams of fresh fern leaves and let everything steep for 24 hours. Then boil the broth and let it simmer for 30 minutes. After the broth has cooled, sift off the leaves. Spray the aphid-infested orchid leaves and shoots with the fern broth twice a week until the pests are gone.
tips
Combating aphids must not be put off for the long term. The mostly wingless females are capable of virgin procreation. Therefore, the pests spread explosively on orchids and other plants. This applies regardless of whether you cultivate the exotic flower as a houseplant all year round or place it on the summer balcony.