Mealybugs on Blooming Phalaenopsis: Treat After Flowers Fall

Immediate Steps

A blooming Phalaenopsis has ~25 visible mealybugs. The grower removed them and asks about alcohol soak timing and repotting.

Wait until blooming finishes to repot—disturbing roots now may cause bud blast.
Monitor daily for more mealybugs, especially under leaves.
At repotting: Wipe all leaf surfaces (top and bottom) thoroughly. Dip the root ball briefly (1–2 minutes) in 50/50 isopropyl alcohol/water. Do not soak long.
Clean the pot thoroughly if reusing.

Mealybugs hide in crevices; repeated wiping at each watering helps control until repotting.

Orchids: Encouraging Blooms on a Mature Phalaenopsis Orchid; Mealybugs on Orchids: Identification, Treatment & Root Rot Prevention; Post-Keiki Removal: When Will My Orchid Bloom Again?; Orchid Keikis: What They Are, When to Remove & How to Pot Successfully; Dying Orchid with No Leaves: Crown Rot Likely Fatal; Phalaenopsis Dormancy Myth: They Don't Need a Rest Period; Rescuing a Sick Phalaenopsis: Repotting from Soggy Roots; Cut Orchid Spike with Bud in Water: Will It Root?; Phalaenopsis Spike Browning: Genetics, Not Neglect; Limp Orchid Petals: Root Health & Repotting Fix

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