Avon's Skin so Soft on Orchids to fight pest

[gardenguysorchids]

Has anyone ever used Avon Skin So Soft as a treatment for insects on orchids? I overheard someone saying they used this product on their orchids at an Orchid Society meeting. I had to leave early and wasn't able to question the member about this. Have any of you tried this? If so would love more info about it. Thanks Bill

[coeruleo]

that sounds crazy. but if it is some sort of lotion, it probably has oils, which can block sucking insects like mites and mealies... right? weird thing to try though. makes you wonder how they came up with that.

[Halloamey]

Coeruleo is right, the mechanism of action is the same as with any oil/surfactant emulsion, smothering the insect exoskeleton and blocking their respiration mechanism. Here is a list of ingredients from Avon skin so soft.
WATER/EAU
GLYCERIN
ETHYLHEXYL PALMITATE
MINERAL OIL/HUILE MINERALE
STEARIC ACID
POLYSORBATE 60
DIMETHICONE
CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE
SIMMONDSIA CHINENSIS (JOJOBA) SEED OIL
TOCOPHERYL ACETATE
GLYCERYL STEARATE
SORBITAN STEARATE
CETYL ALCOHOL
PETROLATUM
PHENOXYETHANOL
IMIDAZOLIDINYL UREA
HYDROGENATED POLYISOBUTENE
CARBOMER
DISODIUM EDTA
TRIMETHYLSILOXYSILICATE
POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE
NYLON-12
ACRYLATES/C10-30 ALKYL ACRYLATE CROSSPOLYMER
PARFUM/FRAGRANCE

After reading those, I am not even sure how they came up with those chemicals to be used as a moisturizing cream let alone as an insecticide for plants, almost every chemical is artificial. On a second look it is more like an insecticide than anything that should be applied to a human body LOL.

[stateless]

It was very popular years ago here in florida as a mosquito repellent, wouldn't the oil make the plants susceptible to burn from sunlight?

[HHLL38]

I've recently started using Listerine for molds and fungi. It's amazing what the stuff you've got lying around the house can do when given the correct orchid application.

[Brutal_Dreamer]

I've recently started using Listerine for molds and fungi. It's amazing what the stuff you've got lying around the house can do when given the correct orchid application.

Isn't that the truth! hahaha...

cheers,
BD

[pipsxlch]

I've used it since childhood as a mosquito repellent, figured it might be less toxic (as well as better smelling) than the 'official' stuff. If you try it, it's supposed to be the original scent only I was told. I never used it on plants, thought the oils might block the stomata if the leaves don't get rinsed soon or something. (don't like to use anything oily/greasy on the plants if I can't rinse it off soon)
I did hear somebody talk about using the spray bottle mosquito repellent that hooks onto your hose, oh what was the brand... maybe Cutter? They said they used it on their orchids with success.

[PetSlayer]

"After reading those, I am not even sure how they came up with those chemicals to be used as a moisturizing cream let alone as an insecticide for plants, almost every chemical is artificial. On a second look it is more like an insecticide than anything that should be applied to a human body LOL.[/QUOTE]

Nylon, EDTA and various oils, the question is which or the existing respiration types is NOT hindered by this???

Thanks man, you made my day!

Laura

[PetSlayer]

I've recently started using Listerine for molds and fungi. It's amazing what the stuff you've got lying around the house can do when given the correct orchid application.

Hmmm...I know this might sound stupid, but here I go:
1. How do you apply it?
2. What do you do after, wash it off or leave it on?

Thanks!
Laura

[HHLL38]

Hmmm...I know this might sound stupid, but here I go:
1. How do you apply it?
2. What do you do after, wash it off or leave it on?

Thanks!
Laura

I put it in a spray bottle, undiluted, and spray it directly onto my orchids. I just allow it to air dry. It's solved every mold problem i've had thus far with no casualties!