Orchids are one of the world’s most fascinating and beautiful creations of God which are valued for their exquisite flowers and long keeping quality, exhibiting a wide range of diversity in form, size, color, and texture of flowers. Commercial production of cut flowers in orchids has expanded tremendously and has become a very profitable occupation. Orchids are relatively sturdy and have few serious problems of pests and diseases. Pest problems include mealybugs, spider mites, scales, and thrips. Fungal (root rot, leaf spots, leaf blights, and spots on flowers) and bacterial diseases of orchids are common because of the high levels of humidity they need to survive. Their symptoms, biology, spread, and management are discussed. The best defense against pests and diseases is growing healthy plants through sound culture and proper sanitation.
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