Pests & diseases Preventive care. what do you do ?

[lijun]

I believe it is to keep the plant from cooking in a closed bag in the sun.

That makes sense,... thank you terp,...

[zainal abidin]

I only spray insecticide when there were weevil spotted and the plants for no apparent reason developed mushy smell from the stem or the pseudobulbs which indicate the above insects activities leading for fungal including bacterial infections.

[lijun]

whats the difference between the insecticide for plants and the ones for mosquitos cause i spray that everynight in my room 1 hour before bedtime,... could it be used for orchids?

[ksriramkumar]

Iljun, insecticide is a broad term. insecticides that are meant for plants are the once should be used on orchids with right dosage. the ones that are used on mosquito are harmful for any plant and could kill orchids due to this potency. You could try bio-pesticicdes like neem oil which are safe for humans,pets and orchids.

[lijun]

neem oil is really hard to find here,... if i read indonesian sites about orchid tips an tricks,.. none really recommends neem oil, but the international ones keep recommending it, but i dont know where i can get it,... the indonesian ones strangely recommends tiger balms or similar for pests,.. to put little dose on stems,.. but only for prevention,... other says tobacco deep in water could be use to spray,.. dont know which is best

[ksriramkumar]

don't use tobacco. as tobacco carries a virus (tobacco mosaic virus) and orchids could get infected with viruses if they have any open wounds. I have also read that people who smoke also can transmit this virus when they touch orchids immediately after a smoke.

I would not suggest tiger balms. keep looking for neem oil, sure you would find.

[lijun]

tobacco actually been used as natural pesticide for hundreds of years

[kspalding]

Tobacco can also lead to the Mosaic virus in orchids and many plants. Caution. I smoke so trust me I know.

[lijun]

thx for warnings,... also i just read bout that chitosan to boost orchid immune and growth. making them more resistant to virus and fungal... from a few articles that wrote bout it, it sounds very good,.. started a thread asking bout if anyone uses it,.. no replies,... if it's good maybe it's what i'm going for,..

[lijun]

sharing this/copy pasting something:

Note that organic is not always safe. For instance, a very effective organic pesticide is nicotiana, made from the tobacco plant. It’s all-natural but highly dangerous – you must wear gloves and a gas mask or it’s lethal! I’ve used it but there are easier and milder ways to deal with orchid pests.

The traditional fix for all these problems has been dish detergent. Not any more! It now contains antibacterial and grease-cutting chemicals that are dangerous to orchids. Ivory and Dawn are the mildest, but not as safe as pure castile soap such as Dr. Bonner’s. If you must use dish detergent be sure to highly dilute it: 1 teaspoon to 2 quarts. Place the solution in a spray bottle and spray both the plant and the soil. Use your fingers to gently rub off scales, webs, and honeydew. Wait a week and reapply.

These insects can also be eradicated on contact with a solution of 1 part alcohol and 1 part water applied with a q-tip.

Surrounding your orchid with nasturtiums and/or chrysanthemums will keep insects away, but not get rid of insects already on your plant.

Neem oil from the neem tree of asia is not harmful to plants or humans, biodegradable in 2 weeks, and also protects your orchid from fungal infection and root rot. Mix 1 oz of neem to one gallon of water and spray both plant and soil.

You can also purchase beneficial insects to control pests. Lady bugs eradicate aphids and mealy bugs. Praying mantises eat aphids and scale. Green lacewings eat mites and aphids. Beneficial insects can be ordered online or from your local garden center.

If you prefer a chemical, try an environmentally-friendly one such as pyrethrin-based insecticides. Pyrethrin is derived from the daisy family of plants, particularly the chrysanthemum. It decomposes within 1 to 5 days, and poses less harm to the environment than other chemicals if used properly. However, I would never use it indoors as it can be harmful to pets and sicken children, and recent studies suggest that it may be carcinogenic.

Many gardens have a healthy population of snails and slugs. They are beneficial for many plants, but not orchids. Install orchid protectors like copper strips to prevent them from climbing onto your orchids.