Orchids are not particularly susceptible to pests and diseases and can be kept free of problems by a habit of notice and immediate rehabilitation whenever they appear. The most coarse insect pests for household orchids are aphids, mealy bugs, and mites, which are easy to treat. Less common, and harder to treat, are scale and cockroaches. coarse animal pests comprise slugs, snails and mice.

Common diseases that infect orchids are basal rot/damping off, bacterial brown spot, black and brown rot, root rot and leaf spotting.

Mice

For orchids, stoppage is much easier and more time productive than any agenda of treatment. stoppage starts by purchasing your orchids from a reputable source that handles their plants well. After purchase, house your orchids in a clean and well-ventilated environment. When you transplant or re-pot your orchids, use sterilized tools and discard the old potting material. When you concentrate new orchids into your collection, isolate new plants for a few weeks to check for signs of disease or pests before involving them among the rest of your collection.

Insects and Animals

Mealy bugs, aphids and mites are coarse pests of the orchid. Washing them off with warm water or a mild soapy explication is a quick and productive treatment. A fine spray of alcohol works well also. Aphids secrete a syrupy substance that attracts ants that can make their homes in the potting medium. If you have an ant problem, consult with an master at your orchad town about a pesticide that will eliminate the ants without damaging the orchids' roots. Minor scale infestations can be removed with cotton swab dipped in alcohol.

Less coarse pests, such as weevils and caterpillars feed on the soft leaves of the orchids. Leaf miners are pests that carry and spread viruses to the orchids, killing its stems and leaves. Clip off the damaged portions of the plant into about an inch (2 cm) of wholesome tissue and apply the right pesticide.

Snails and slugs will eat the orchids' stems, leaves and blooms. Use a leaf of lettuce or a saucer of beer as bait to trap them before they find your plants.

Disease Detection and Treatment

Basal rot manifests itself in shriveled stems and should be treated with a fungicide and repotted. If you find unsightly dark spots in the leaves of your orchid then it's probably due to bacterial brown spot, brown rot and leaf spotting. Use a sterilized clipper to trim off the affected area and disinfect the cut ends with a recommended solution.

Overwatering will cause root rot. Avoid misting your orchids' foliage in the late afternoons or evenings --- the foliage should be dry overnight to avoid stem rot.