Orchids and Alcohol: DIY Pest Control For Orchid Pests

The Aphids family is the most common enemy of the small-time orchid grower, with mealybugs and scale insects on the front line. Even a small infestation of either of these can leave your orchid with marred leaves, and a larger amount of soft scale can kill the plant altogether.

Soon enough, paranoia will have you reaching for the insecticide spray. Chances are you’ll either get rid of scale on your Phalaenopsis orchid or you’ll get the bugs to develop resistance to the insecticide. In both cases, you will release a ton of chemicals that you, your pets and your plant …read more