Sticky substance from palenopsis

I think there are 2 kinds of scale. The harder outer shell ones, usually dark brown, and the softer whiter colored ones. (I think these are called boisduvial scale). I believe the pattern of noticing the sap with progression to later seeing the adults at the leaf edges or in the leaf axils is pretty typical for these insects. Treat with any pesticide that kills scale. I used to use Malathion, but I believe that is slowly being pulled from the market (at least here in California) I've used plain old

70% isopropyl alcohol and a toothbrush, to kill the adults then wiped any suspect areas for the next few weeks to be sure the eggs, larvae are gone, as long as it was only one plant and isolated away from my main collection (like a phal on the kitchen window insrtead of in the GH.) There are a few good newer pesticides on the market (made by Bayer here in teh US) that should kill them off, too. I confess when I look for those I have to stand in the aisle at the nursery, seemingly for hours, reading the small print until I find the one I want. Am I the only one or does Bayer's product names all sound the same to everyone else, too?

K Barrett

This sticky stuff, if left along will eventually cover most of the leaf. I first noted it because it had dripped onto tile floor. I was walking around one day in bare feet. I hae not used malathion, but have used the Ortho oil spray to smother them. The seem to come back. I will try the alcohol. What has puzzled me is that the sap seems to come from nowhere...from just a tiny pore in the leave. In any event, it is very slow going.

Clinton

What I worry about is that some sort of small sucking insect is sucking into the leaf and allowing the sap to drain out. I usually notice small sappy droplets or dried sugar sap along the midrib or the edge of the leaf. Sure enough if I turn the leaf over there'll be a scale on the underside, or in a few days there'll be a scale at the leaf margin. Sometimes my first indication of trouble is (like you did) by seeing sappy 'spray' on the windowsill when I clean up the kitchen. (No comments about my house cleaning, now! *G*) Then I'll have to treat the plant with something or other until its gone.

Usually I'm one of those 'better living thru chemistry' kind of people. I usually like to use some sort of a perticide in order to be sure. I usually don't like just dabbing away with alcohol, because I believe these are sly, conniving little critters that, just when you thik they're gone, they come back, usually with a vengeance and in places that are a real pain in the neck to get rid of them - like amongst the roots or under the p/bulb sheathes. Talk about a pain!

But you are right. The sap comes practically from out of nowhere. Then blammo! A few days later you see the adult and have to treat. Slow going indeed. My paphs have mealy bug down in the bark, down amongst the dried old leaves and along the roots and everytime I think I have a handle on them they come back. Frustrating. I'm about to toss the lot of them.