â MinorðĐš
Pests
Thrips on Orchid Flowers
Commonly affects: Phalaenopsis spp. and other Orchidaceae (Orchid)
Silvery streaks and small dark specks appear on flowers and leaves, with flowers sometimes showing distorted or discoloured patches.
Potential Causes
- 1Thrips feeding on flower and leaf tissue, rasping the surface
- 2Warm, dry conditions favouring population growth
- 3Introduction from a nearby infested plant
Solution Steps
- 1Use blue sticky traps to monitor and reduce adult thrips
- 2Apply insecticidal soap or a spinosad-based treatment for active infestations
- 3Remove and destroy severely damaged flowers
- 4Isolate affected plants from other orchids until cleared
Prevention Tip
Thrips damage on orchid flowers is often mistaken for a colour break or virus â check for the insects themselves before assuming a more serious cause.
