As of: February 15, 2024, 2:34 p.m
By: Ines Alms
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Orange oil is not only organic, but also effective: with a targeted attack, the agent destroys the protective mechanism of mealybugs or scale insects.
Orchids are one of Germany's favorite houseplants.
They are considered easy to care for, but are not immune to diseases and pests.
If the plant is strong and receives good care, deficiency diseases, lice and other pests will not find any targets.
But even if mealybugs, thrips, etc. have already struck, the Phalaenopsis and its relatives can usually still be saved.
If you want to avoid chemicals, you can use home remedies such as orange oil.
Orange oil attacks the protective layer of lice
Mealybugs on orchids can spread quickly, so you should fight them in good time.
© Zoonar/Imago
Mealybugs and scale insects are among the most common orchid pests, followed by thrips and spider mites.
There are numerous home remedies for pest infestation on house plants, from potassium soap to garlic water.
Their effectiveness often quickly reaches its limits when there are severe or persistent pest infestations.
Plant doctor René Wadas recommends on
Focus.de
to use orange oil in this case.
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Orange oil can be found in many household cleaning products, but is also available as a pure essential oil, which is used to flavor dishes or as a fragrance oil.
The oil attacks the natural wax layer of the lice, causing them to dry out.
Here you can either use ready-made orange oil-based plant protection products from the garden center.
Alternatively, mix one liter of water with five to ten milliliters of orange oil cleaning agent and spray the infected orchid with it.
But first test a leaf to see whether the plant reacts with discoloration or wilting.
If eggs or larvae still survive, the treatment should be repeated again.
Also clear the “surroundings” of pests
Pots, sticks and window sills should also be cleaned as animals can hide there.
On the plant itself you should also look under leaves and flowers, in leaf axils and bud scales, where the lice like to hang out.
Garden expert Brigitte Goss recommends replacing the substrate of the orchids in the
mdr garden
, as a water bath or showering the plants is not enough.