Those who enjoy growing plants may have encountered a pest called "thrips." They have tiny bodies and tend to fly in groups. For flowers, these little creatures are one of the most troublesome pests because they are small and skilled at hiding within the plants.
If you notice thrips flying around your home, it's important to check your plants to see if they've been targeted. Thrips can cause significant damage as they love to hide in the folds of flower petals and the gaps of flower buds, feeding on the delicate petals. After being sucked by the thrips’ mouthparts, the petals will soon develop fine horizontal lines or tiny spots that resemble needle pricks.
At first, the damage might be minor, but within a few days, the petals will start to deform or wither. Even if the flower eventually blooms, it will likely grow crooked.
How to deal with thrips?
First, it’s best to prevent them before they appear. Thrips like to fly between different plants, so if you spot any, quickly spray an insecticide. Choose a specialized pesticide, dilute it according to the instructions, and spray it on the flower stalks and tender leaves. Wait a week before reapplying. This will help kill the thrips before they can spread. For extra protection, spray once more when the flower buds are about to show color or just before they bloom. This will ensure that the thrips don’t interfere with the flowering process.
If you notice horizontal lines or small spots on the petals and confirm that thrips are the culprit, isolate the affected Phalaenopsis orchid. Since thrips can fly, if you don’t isolate the plant, they can easily spread to other flowers, causing widespread damage. Next, use imidacloprid or dinotefuran, diluted to 1,000 times its concentration with water (make sure to follow the ratio carefully, as too strong a solution can burn the flowers, and too weak will have no effect). It's best to spray at night, when thrips are most active. Make sure to spray both the front and back of the flowers, flower buds, and leaves. Typically, spraying once a week for three to five consecutive weeks will eliminate the thrips.
A final reminder: Always wear gloves and a mask when spraying pesticides to avoid getting the solution on your hands or face.
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