With all due respect to Weng, the best use for the brandy or vodka is to
keep YOU going while you de-infest the plants G. For the plants, stick
with rubbing (rather than drinking) alcohol, or the soapy water that Ray
suggested. If you are thorough, this will get rid of all the scale above
the potting medium.

Since you say this has been going on for some 6 months, the insects may also
be down in your potting mix, perhaps chewing on your roots. You need to
check those anyway, to see if there's some other problem (e.g., if they're
pale, thin, dry and crumbly, you haven't been watering enough; if they're
dark and soft/mushy, you've been keeping them way too wet). So re-potting
wouldn't be a bad idea, either. [I don't recall your location, but around
here, it's getting to be about that time, anyway.] I don't like to use the
alcohol or soap on the roots, but a good rinse will probably do, along with
fresh mix, to get rid of any insects that have gotten down there.

If the problem reappears after that, consider a systemic insecticide. Good
growing,
--
Kenni Judd
Juno Beach Orchids



"Leon" wrote in message
oups.com...
My phalaenopsis have done all right in the past. But now they have
stopped developing new leaves for some six months and the existing ones
do not look well. While they are deep green, they have secreted
something that looks and feels like a water-clear, dry varnish that is
spread out very thinly and in patches, mostly on the top surface, but
also underneath. There are also a few brownish scales, some roundish.
Any idea on how I can bring the plants back to life? Should I wash the
leaves, and if so, with what? Is lemon juice a possibility? Should I
repot them? Thanks in advance for advice.