All,

I have posted pictures on abpo. Virtually overnight, a Phal was accosted by
flat, soft white wormy things on the flowers. I can't see them move, but
they grew within hours. I've never seen anything like this before. The
plant itself appears healthy, though I will repot in the morning. Needless
to say, I cut off both spikes right after taking the picture. When lightly
pushed with a Q-Tip, the things crumble into soft ooze. No other plants are
affected.

What?!

Diana

Congratulations, you have mealy bugs!!! Try rubbing alcohol on a Q-tip.
That will get rid of them buy keep on the look out for more!

Mealy bugs show up on some of my plants whent he humidity is too low.
Good luck,
Garland

"Diana Kulaga" wrote in message
ink.net...
All,

I have posted pictures on abpo. Virtually overnight, a Phal was accosted
by
flat, soft white wormy things on the flowers. I can't see them move, but
they grew within hours. I've never seen anything like this before. The
plant itself appears healthy, though I will repot in the morning.
Needless
to say, I cut off both spikes right after taking the picture. When
lightly
pushed with a Q-Tip, the things crumble into soft ooze. No other plants
are
affected.

What?!

Diana

Guys,

Thanks for responding. This is neither scale nor mealies; would that it
were. I have to agree with Ray about larva of some kind, but what that
might be eludes me. It was *only* on the flowers, not on any leaves. I
didn't get it out of the pot this morning, but I will soon. The plant
itself appears to be as healthy as a horse.

Diana

But it sure did look like that soft cushion scale photo.....

--

Ray Barkalow - First Rays Orchids - www.firstrays.com
Plants, Supplies, Books, Artwork, and Lots of Free Info!
..
"Diana Kulaga" wrote in message
nk.net...
Guys,

Thanks for responding. This is neither scale nor mealies; would that it
were. I have to agree with Ray about larva of some kind, but what that
might be eludes me. It was *only* on the flowers, not on any leaves. I
didn't get it out of the pot this morning, but I will soon. The plant
itself appears to be as healthy as a horse.

Diana

But it sure did look like that soft cushion scale photo.....

It is; no doubt about it. I wrote that post before I got an email from
Mariana, giving me the links. I've been experiencing intermittent server
problems lately, and just by reading what I *did* get, I can tell there is
much that I never saw.

Gawd. Cottony cushion scale, for Pete's sake. What's next, nuclear
triggered mealie bugs?

Thanks, Ray, and anyone else whose posts I might not have seen!

Diana