Lets get one thing straight: MISTING

[Mammatam]

I was misting every morning, just the medium and aerial roots though, never the leaves. Just did it during the 1st week after having potted them in the new bark mix. This week, I soaked them better, doesn't seem to need the misting now.
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[Wade's Orchids]

If you can find a pyrethrin based insecticidal soap I think it will take care of the problem quickly. Pyrethrin is a very effective insecticide and safe for use in the home. Remember to respray every 5-7 days for those hatching from eggs.

[T4tlrman]

Thanks Wade I'll get the pyrethrin based soap and follow your directions.

Wanted to ask if you grow any Phalaenopsis. I'd like to know what a good fertilizer/food would be. Any help would be appreciated.

[Wade's Orchids]

Yes, I do grow some Phals. I treat them the same as all my orchids for fertilizer. I used to think that something like Miracid was good but studies from the AOS have shown that a balanced fertilizer is better. Rather than name a brand, I'd suggest to look for a balanced fertilizer that has trace elements (zinc, calcium, magnesium, etc.). Avoid any that use urea for Nitrogen. I have always fertilized with every watering and then about every 2-3 weeks drench all the plants with clear water to leech any possible buildup of fertilizers. One final note: if you use rain water it's best to look for a fertilizer for rainwater/RO water as water this pure has no buffers and reacts dramatically to any acid that is included in the fertilizer. Hope that helps.

[T4tlrman]

Thanks for your help, T

[kspalding]

Mammatam- I do the same. It just seems to keep the aerials from shriveling and drying out.

[heureuy]

I live in tropical country. Humidity considered high all year round.
I'm installing misting system for my orchids outdoor just because I'm lazy spraying each one of them using bottle.

[T4tlrman]

I live in tropical country. Humidity considered high all year round.
I'm installing misting system for my orchids outdoor just because I'm lazy spraying each one of them using bottle.

If the humidity is high all year it would seem unnecessary to mist too. Too much humidity might not be good.

[stateless]

I just put my misting system back up yesterday, Florida is humid, but the system helps lower the temps when we get in the 90's, use it mainly for my vandas for 3 reasons, 1. lowers the temp,2. I think the smaller mist particles are absorbed by the roots better giving a good saturation of the roots, 3. I'm lazy turn it on come back in an hour turn it off.