Bunny ate orchid leaves

[Abrielle107]

Help! Stupid, stupid me. I left an instinct driven, apparently hungry, bunny with no reasoning ability out all day while gone. He hopped the fence and ate 5 leaves off 2 of my phals. I cut the leaves past his bite marks and lubed them up with neosporin... According to research, he will prob be fine. But what should I do with the phals?

They were doing fantabulously under T5 lights with 65-80% humidity at ~ 70 degree F. Can they go immediately back to those conditions or do I need to doctor them in some way for awhile?

I literally cried. They look wretched. 3 new leaves gone, aerial roots gone too (doctored them the same as the leaves). Thank God neither were in spike or .... Ugh.

Sigh. What to do next? BESIDES installing a taller fence?

[Flower_Faerie]

Cook the bunny? (He might be vanilla flavoured)
Suspend the orchids in a tree, out of reach?
The wild rabbits eat everything in my garden - except brambles & nettles!

[jhodgson]

I also have a rabbit problem here. For that reason I have not placed any of my orchids outside. I would like build a small animal proof enclosure for by back deck so some of plants can enjoy the great outdoors during the summer.

[espranch]

Although I do love orchids, I also love ALL animals! Think of it this way...at least the bunny had a nice meal...Betty ( born under the Chinese sign of the rabbit )

[leafmite]

Our pet rabbit Frisky (she died after nine years with us) only ever touched my borage (an herb) and left everything else alone. She preferred her Timothy hay, cheerios, apple slices, golden grahms, dandilions, clover....she was too spoiled to eat my house plants. Cayanne pepper, putting plants out of reach, leaving cheerios around the house, and putting the orchids in a cage are some answers. If bunny is a house bunny, electrical cords are a big danger and be sure to get the protective covers. Good luck!
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[leafmite]

If you use cayanne pepper, leave water nearby. It is really not a nice solution for a pet bunny but I have known people to use it to teach their bunnies not to chew electrical cords. Our rabbit was smarter than our dogs and highly trainable and 'no' or her name said in a certain tone sufficed.
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[smurphr]

i can send you a fantastic recipe for cajun rabbit gumbo... or, if youve got a friend with a dog you could borrow, let him pee all over your yard...wont work for long, really...or cayenne pepper the hell out of your plants... if it still eats the leaves, go back to my first suggestion, he'll already be prespiced!

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Poor bunny - he must love orchids too. Sorry about the leaves, but don't worry - I bet they will be alright if the plants were healthy. Time to raise bunny's fence a couple of inches so he knows his boundary.

cheers,
BD

[Abrielle107]

Thanks for the advice. Bunny is a house pet--and my orchids on the lower level of my grow area were "fenced in" but he hopped it, the little booger. I've plans to double the height of the fence (which is also around any electrical cords for the lights, misters, etc), I don't think cayenne pepper is a necessity as yet.

The plants were robust- look a little wretched now. I'll put them back in their normal grow environment as long as you all think it is ok :0)

[Abrielle107]

Of course, maybe I WILL put cayenne on just to be careful!