When orchids are attacked by parasites, growth and bloom are at stake. The pests deprive the leaves of the vital sap and bring pathogens with them. Find out here how to fight the cunning parasites with natural means.
Orchid leaves affected by pests should be sprayed with water and alcohol
This is how orchids get rid of parasites
Lice of all kinds are among the most common parasites that trouble your orchids. Out of the blue, they spread explosively on the leaves and shoots. The parasites pierce the veins of the leaves with their mouthparts and deprive the plant of its lifeblood. With a sophisticated strategy and effective home remedies, you can put a stop to the pests. That is how it goes:
- Immediately isolate a parasitized orchid from other houseplants
- Rinse the foliage as vigorously as possible after bagging the root ball
- Wipe the tops and bottoms of the leaves with an alcohol-soaked cloth after each shower
You finally finish off the parasites with a mixture of 15 grams of soft soap (44.90€), 1 tablespoon of spirit and 1 liter of water. Spray the solution on the orchid every 2 days until there are no more lice.
Take action against parasites with diatomaceous earth
Finely ground sedimentary rock is excellent against all kinds of parasites. If water showers and the soft soap solution do not achieve the desired result, end the plague with the help of kieselguhr; also known as diatomaceous earth or mountain flour. The purely natural preparation consists of fossil algae deposits. Applied with a brush or powder syringe, diatomaceous earth dries out the lice so that they die of dehydration.
Pesticides based on fossil plankton take the same line. Completely free of poison or annoying smells, your orchids are freed from all parasites in no time at all.
tips
Orchids are sometimes mistakenly referred to as parasites. This fallacy stems from their unconventional growth as epiphytes on rainforest trees. In truth, the epiphytes merely cling to the branches with their roots. Orchids meet their water and nutrient needs by catching the rain with their aerial roots.