On 25 Oct 2004 12:18:46 -0700, (Heather)
wrote:

Help?. I have some sort of white fuzzy stuff on my indoor plants. It
started on the fronds of a lady palm and has killed both those plants.
Now I've seen it on the orchids both the phalaenopsis (under the
leaves and like fluff where the leaf attaches to the stem) and in
the dendrobiums under the leaves. This morning I noticed it in my
Swedish ivy. The only place that I've not yet seen it is in the
cactuses (in the mammillaria family) and on other hanging type plant
with round waxy leaves and small pink flowers (it was a rescue so I'm
not sure what it actually is).
I've tried washing the orchids with a dawn solution and then rinsing
thoroughly but the fuzz has come back. What is it and what can I do
about it.
Thanks
Heather

Sounds like mealy bugs. After you wash it. Spray with rubbing
alcohol if your growing in the house you need to be careful with
the bug sprays. Bayer (yes, the aspirin people) have some bug
sprays which may be safe... I have not checked them out. Their
rose spray is good on the orchids as well. You will have to
re-treat every 10 days. I would check every day and spray any
white spots. Mealy bugs can live on pot ledges, under the
saucer, Out of sight and not on plant material. Then they are
suddenly all over the plant.
SuE
http://orchids.legolas.org/gallery/albums.php