Orchids are remarkably free of pests and disease. Only once in five years did I have trouble. Aphids appeared on one plant but I hand-cleaned it and saw no more. If you put cymbidiums outdoors in summer, watch out for snails and slugs, and be sure to inspect in fall before pots are returned to the greenhouse, especially if you placed them on the ground under bushes or trees. Tiny soil flies appear occasionally, but they seem to do no damage and disappear of their own accord.

If your plants are troubled enough that spraying or fumigation is required, be sure to check materials for safety on orchids. Orchids do not tolerate certain chemicals and a treatment with one of those could be more damaging than an infestation.

Some viruses attack orchid plants; it would be unfair to lead you to believe there could be no trouble from that source. However, if you always maintain good air circulation, especially in a greenhouse with high humidity, your virus problems will be few, if any. In any case, don't be afraid of orchids. Most of them are very easy to grow and so spectacular in bloom that they are more rewarding than most other plants. In a word, orchids are fun!